Morgan, Jonas bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 571-572; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Jonas Morgan, son of Daniel Morgan, was born September 12, 1800, in Shenandoah Valley, Va. His father was a native of Virginia, but of Welsh descent. His grandfather, Jonas Morgan, was drafted in the Revolutionary War, and sent to Culpeper Court House, to be sworn in, but his wife, who was determined to save him, dressed herself in man’s clothing, and presented herself to be a substitute for him. The disguise was very perfect, and she with her husband left the camp the next day. He was never afterwards called upon to expose his life in behalf of his country.
Mr. Morgan’s father was in the Norfolk War. His mother, who previous to her marriage was Miss Lydia Devon, was a native of Virginia, and of Scotch descent. They continued to reside in that State a number of years, and then moved to Licking County, Ohio, where they made their home until 1834, at which date they came to Putman Township and remained here during the rest of their lives. To them were born nine children; he died in 1879, and she breathed her last in 1886.
The subject of our sketch received only a limited education in the common schools of Ohio, and commenced a business career for himself when twenty-two years of age. On September 9, 1822, he married Miss Dellah Burge, daughter of John and Margaret Burge, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Morgan’s parents moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and died in that State. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Morgan settled in Hoop Pole Township, Licking County, Ohio, on a farm, and continued to make his home there until the year 1833, when he moved to Illinois, settling on his present estate.
Mr. Morgan is one of the early pioneers in this township, and is about the oldest settler living in this school district. At the time of his first appearance the county was in a very wild and uncultivated state, and he had all the troubles that naturally attend the improvement of a farm. He came just at the close of the Black Hawk War, and the land upon which he settled was all timber. He built a small log house, and lived in a very unostentatious and quiet manner, and by means of never-failing industry has during his sixty years of residence here, cultivated this land after the most improved methods. He has done an immense lot of hard work, but though at the present date he is ninety years of age, he is bright and a cheerful companion. In fact he has always been a man of unusually strong mental and physical powers.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of twelve children, of whom the following nine are living: Daniel, James, Elizabeth, Elmira, Eliza, Delilah, Lydia, William, and Harvey. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have been faithful in their attendance for many years. He was one of the first trustees of this church, and the only one of them who are living at the present time, and has been Class Leader and Superintendent of the Sunday-school during five years. He was a prominent member of the Christian Union, and was also a member of a militia company I Ohio. He has been a pathmaster and road-overseer.
Our subject has always taken an active part in politics, and regularly voted the Democratic ticket, his vote being cast for Andrew Jackson. Though he and Mrs. Morgan are quite advanced in years their longevity has not in any measure destroyed their natural amiability and desire to please. With each passing year they have continued to add to the long list of their friends, and are to-day very much respected and liked throughout the community in which they reside.