Morgan, Thomas - biography


            Thomas Morgan was born 31 May 1875, in Treorky, Glamorganshire, Wales, a son of Mary Morgan   and David Morgan. He was the twelfth child in a family of thirteen.

He came to the United States of America when five years of ages with his mother, brothers

William and David and his sister Mary Ann. They arrived in Samaria, Idaho in November 1880 to  the home their father had prepared for them. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ in Samaria Springs, Samaria, Idaho April 6th , 1886 by Tom Thorpe and confirmed by Jeremiah Williams.

When a young boy, he attended school and some of his teachers were Agnes Bowen and Margaret Mary Clarkson, who later became his sister-in-law. (known to us as Aunt Maggie).

He loved to go into the mountains and look for wild horses. They would round them up and bring them into the corrals where they would break them for work and to sell. He loved to ride bucking broncos and was known as one of the best riders in the county. He also worked on his father's farm and herded sheep. Later in life, he took up a dry farm in Pleasantview, Idaho.

He found that he was very talented in music and joined the Samaria Band under the direction of Ed Woozley. He played the baritone, trombone, cornet, clarinet and violin. As he grew older, he organized his own band and orchestra. They played for all the dances in Samaria and throughout the valley. His band played in every July 4th and 24th celebration.

On October 29th, 1902, he married Margaret Mary Richards of Samaria. He built a
two room log house on the corner of his father's lot known as the Morgan's corner. Later he built
on another room. They were blessed with four children: Ann R. Morgan, Mary R. Morgan,

Thomas R. Morgan and Margaret Morgan.

On January 21, 1914, they journeyed for one day by sleigh and team of horses to Logan to have their temple work done. Uncle Andrew and Aunt Elvira went with them. It was a day I shall always remember.

In the spring of 1918 they moved to Pleasantview, five miles from Samaria. Here he farmed his land and raised cattle and chickens. In 1934 he bought a home in Malad where he

lived  until the time of his death 3 November 1960.

He served in the following church positions: First Assistant in Sunday School, Chorister, Ward Teacher, First Counselor in Elder's Quorum, member of ward and stake choirs. He was made a High Priest
a few years before he died. The Stake Priesthood
had him play violin solos in their priesthood meetings.

On October 19, 1952, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. This was a very happy occasion for them. Many friends and relatives came from far and near to wish them happiness.

 

MARGARET MARY RICHARDS

Margaret Mary Richards Morgan was born 31 July 1878 to Edmund Thomas Richards and Ann John at the Big Bend (now St. John, Idaho). Here they cleared the sage and her father farmed it. Her mother made butter to sell and raised chickens and
sold eggs to buy their groceries. She attended the St. John school; they had to walk two miles to school, so when the weather got bad, they had to stay at home. She also had to stay home and help with the work on the farm. As a result, she only attended school through
the fourth grade.

When seventeen years of age, she went to work for Myr's Comb in Marsh Valley. She earned $2.00 a week which she saved to buy her mother a new stove.

When she was small, her mother and father separated. Her mother and seven children went to Samaria to live. Here they all worked hard to help her mother make a living.

On February 7th, 1900, she was baptized in the Samaria Springs on a cold day when the ice had to be broken. She was baptized by Joe Morris and confirmed by William E. Hawkins on the same day.

She was married to Thomas Morgan on October 29th, 1902. They lived in a two room sawed log house which her husband had built. She was the mother of 4 children: Ann, Mary, Thomas, and Margaret. Later in life, she adopted their niece, Myra Morgan. She worked hard making a home and raising her family. When Ann was 16 years old, she was stricken with a disease that doctors did not understand. She was left an invalid for 29 years. It wasn't easy; life was hard. She did her best being good to others, and there was always room for one more in their home. All were welcome to what they had.

When Ann died, Mary had a hard adjustment to make, which she did. She and her husband made rugs and mats, and at 80 years, she learned to play the piano under the direction of her daughter Mary. Thomas always enjoyed playing his violin.

After her husband died, Mary had another hard adjustment to make. She gave all her earthly belongings to her family and friends and went to live with her daughter Mary and husband Hubert. They had been transferred to John Day, Oregon where he was the District Manager for California Pacific Utilities.

She was a big help to the Gleed family. Her son-in-law, Hubert, was the President of the John Day Branch, and they had many district people in their home. Missionaries also made it their headquarters. She loved to talk with Elders and Sisters.

The members of the Branch loved her and called her "Grandma Morgan". She died 16 November 1968 at John Day, Oregon and was buried in the Malad City, Idaho Cemetery.

 

Written by: Floyd Gleed, May 2003
Submitted by: Myra Knudsen

 


 

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Morgan, Thomas

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