My Genealogy Hound

William L. Morgan, farmer and blacksmith, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., July 28, 1822. The father, Andrew Morgan, was born and reared in Rockbridge County, Va., his birth occurring in 1802. He moved to Tennessee with his parents when he was about grown, and was there married in 1820 to Tempy Cates, and engaged in farming. He moved to Lawrence County, Mo., in 1843, and became one of its successful farmers. He died at the home of his daughter Caroline March 23, 1873. His wife was born in Orange County, N. C, in 1801, and died December 10, 1877, at the home of her son William, where she had resided a number of years. She was the mother of three children: William L., Elizabeth J. and Caroline, wife of James Grant. William L. was educated in the common schools of Tennessee, and after coming to Missouri with his parents, and residing here about eighteen months, he returned to Tennessee, and began learning the blacksmith trade. May 22, 1846, he was married to Keziah Richards, and located on a farm in Bedford County, Tenn., but two years later came to Lawrence County, Mo., and began working at his trade in Mount Vernon. His wife died July 1, 1855. She was the mother of four children, but only one lived to be grown, William Cyrus. July 29, 1856, Mr. Morgan married Margaret, a daughter of William Jennings, one of the early settlers of Lawrence County. She was born December 25, 1833, and is the mother of the following family: Zorah Ann, wife of William Baldwin; George W., Robert S. and Charles M. During the late Civil War Mr. Morgan was a strong Union man, and did not hesitate to express his views. He served for about six months, and was then honorably discharged owing to injuries received while on a scouting expedition. In 1865 he purchased the farm on which he now lives, erected a blacksmith’s shop on the same, and has followed blacksmithing in connection with farming. His farm of eighty acres is situated five miles north of Mount Vernon. He and family worship in the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.