UUM_Accn1465.xml Inventory of the John Hamilton Morgan papers Morgan (John Hamilton) papers Finding aid prepared by Tad Davies. J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections

1995 (last modified: 2019)
295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Business Number: 801-581-8863 special@library.utah.edu https://lib.utah.edu/collections/special-collections/index.php
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-08-29. Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. 2014 Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Betsey Welland to include links to digitized materials from the collection. J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections John Hamilton Morgan papers Morgan, John Hamilton, 1842-1894 ACCN 1465 3 linear feet 6 boxes 1845-1986 The John Hamilton Morgan papers (1845-1986) detail the personal, professional, and religious activities of John Morgan (1842-1894), a noted Utah educator and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) leader. Click here to view the digitized collection. English

John Hamilton Morgan, born in Greensburg, Indiana in 1842, moved to Illinois in 1855. In 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army where he obtained the rank of Color Sergeant and served until June, 1865. After the war, he attended Eastman Commercial College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and became interested in a career in education. On a business trip to Salt Lake City in 1867 he founded Morgan's Commercial College. In Salt Lake City he learned about and joined the LDS Church and began a notable career of church participation. He served, first, as part of the Sunday School Superintendency; then as a missionary and mission president; and finally, as a member of the First Council of Seventy. As part of his missionary endeavors in the Southern States Mission, he lead a large group of immigrating converts to San Luis Valley, Colorado, where they established a Mormon colony in 1878. Interspersed with his church activity, Morgan became involved with the territorial government in Utah and became particularly engaged with issues of education, the formation of the Republican Party in Utah, and the push for statehood. During his political career, Morgan was elected as Engrossing Clerk of the Utah Legislature in 1882 and as a member of the Utah Territorial Legislature in 1883 (where he was appointed chairman of the House Committee on Education). He served as a Regent of the University of Deseret in 1884. In 1883 he also organized the first Salt Lake County School Teachers Association. On August 14, 1894, Morgan died at the age of 52 in Preston, Idaho.

The John Hamilton Morgan papers (1845-1986) detail the personal, professional, and religious activities of John Morgan (1842-1894), a noted Utah educator and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) leader. The collection includes letters (1875-1894) and journals (1875-1892) written while Morgan served as a Union soldier in the Civil War; while he conducted LDS Church business as a missionary leader and a ranking member of the LDS Church hierarchy; and while he acted on political issues. Official papers concerning LDS Church affairs and Morgan's government involvement, as well as biographical and religious articles written by and about John Morgan, also appear in the collection. Much of the collection's information concerns the settlement of the San Luis Valley, Colorado, where many LDS converts settled after arriving there (under Morgan's leadership) from the newly-formed Southern States Mission. While most of the material originated in Morgan's lifetime, collections of his inspirational stories, tributes to his memory, and a biography were produced posthumously.

Click here to view digitized materials from the collection or visit ArchivesSpace for a container level list of digitized materials.

Organized in three series: 1. Writings of John Morgan; 2. Professional Papers; and 3. Biography Research.

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

See also the John Hamilton Morgan photograph collection (P0605) in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Gift of Marjorie Morgan Wagstaff in 1994-1995.

Processed by Tad Davies in 1995.

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 Morgan, John Hamilton, 1842-1894--Archives Utah--History San Luis Valley (Colo. and N.M.)--Colonization Latter Day Saints--Mission--Southern States Latter Day Saints--Missionary experiences--Southern States Latter Day Saints--Diaries Latter Day Saints--Biography Latter Day Saints--Utah--History Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Diaries Correspondence Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Biographies Articles 1: Journals and letters Typescript of John Morgan's journal November 15, 1875 to March 29, 1878 1 1 Typescript of John Morgan's journal March 9, 1878, to September 18, 1879 1 2 Typescript of John Morgan's journal September 18, 1879, to October 8, 1879, and January 1, 1881, to January 29, 1882 1 3 Typescript of John Morgan's journal February 3, 1882 to March 5, 1883 1 4 Typescript of John Morgan's journal March 6, 1883, to January 4, 1884 1 5 Typescript of John Morgan's journal January 4, 1884, to September 27, 1884 1 6 Typescript of John Morgan's journal September 27, 1884 to July 4, 1885 1 7 Typescript of John Morgan's journal July 4, 1885, to May 17, 1886 1 8 Typescript of John Morgan's journal May 18, 1886, to December 22, 1886 1 9 Typescript of John Morgan's journal December 23, 1886, to November 19, 1887 1 10 Typescript of John Morgan's journal November 20, 1887, to October 5, 1888 1 11 Typescript of John Morgan's journal October 5, 1888, to September 4, 1889 1 12 Typescript of John Morgan's journal September 5, 1889, to August 17, 1890 1 13 Typescript of John Morgan's journal August 18, 1890, to July 13, 1891 1 14 Typescript of John Morgan's journal July 13, 1891, to May 1, 1892 1 15 Typescript of John Morgan's journal May 3, 1892, to November 20, 1892 1 16 Handwritten letters from John Morgan 1874-1888 1 17 John Morgan, Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ, Its Faith and Teachings 1 18 "Volume 1, Letters and Articles on the Missionary Labors of Pres. John Morgan" 1872-1879 1 1 "Volume 2, Letters and Articles on the Missionary Labors of Pres. John Morgan" 1879-1894 1 2 2: Letters and personal papers Miscellaneous typescript letters from John Morgan 1863-1886 2 1 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 2 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 3 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 4 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 5 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 6 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 7 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 8 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 9 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 10 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 11 Typescript letters from John Morgan to Church leaders 1878-1887 2 12 Miscellaneous letters to John Morgan 1877-1878 2 13 Report of railroad fares for Southern emigrants 1877 2 14 John Morgan, "Riding the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1878" 2 15 Typescript of speeches and services given by John Morgan 1888-1893 2 16 Quotations from the patriarchal blessing of John Morgan 1875 2 17 3: Missionary and government work List of Missionaries and dates of service 3 1 Missionary records for the Southern States Mission 1875-1888 3 2 List of the converts of John Morgan on First Mission 1876 3 3 List of meetings attended by John Morgan on second and third Missions 1878-1880 3 4 List of conferences established by John Morgan while organizing the Southern States Mission 1882 3 5 Gospel messages 3 6

References and quotations for use in missionary work

 Missionary names and addresses 3 7 Typescript of Southern States Mission reports October 1875 to December 1904 3 8 Typescript of Southern States Mission reports October 1875 to December 1904 3 9 "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878" 3 10 "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878" 3 11 "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878" 3 12 "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878" 3 13 "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878" 3 14 "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878" 3 15 "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878" 3 16 Articles concerning the San Luis Valley settlements 3 17

"The Founding of Mormon Settlements in the San Luis Valley, Colorado," by Andrew Jenson; "The San Luis Valley, Colorado. The Beginning of its Early Colonization by Mormons," by D. H. Christensen.

 San Luis Valley, Colorado 1878-1888 3 18

Items contain geographic and demographic information along with information on families living in Manass.

 Governor and the appropriation bill of 1884, Utah Territorial Legislature 3 19 John Morgan's reaction to the shooting of an Elder 1884 1886 3 20 Salt Lake Academy and the Chambers of Commerce 1881-1894 3 21 Historical monument dedications and corporation beginnings 1848-1898 3 22

Organizations and monuments included within folders 22-25 are Salt Lake Theater Company, Bowery, Pioneer Park, Liberty Park, Fort Douglas, Salt Lake schools, the Old and New Tabernacle, Utah Affair, Zion's Corporation Mercantile Institution, Union Academy, and others.

 Historical monument dedications and corporation beginnings 1848-1898 3 23 Historical monument dedications and corporation beginnings 1848-1898 3 24 Historical monument dedications and corporation beginnings 1848-1898 3 25 Presidents and First Counselors to the President of the LDS Church 3 26 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 27 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 28 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 29 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 30 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 31 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 32 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 33 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 34 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 35 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 36 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 37 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 38 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 39 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 40 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 41 Transcripts of Utah newspaper articles 1867-1887 3 42 4: Research material Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 1 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 2 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 3 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 4 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 5 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 6 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 7 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 8 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 9 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 10 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 11 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 12 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 13 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 14 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 15 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 16 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 17 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 18 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 19 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 20 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 21 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 22 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 23 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 24 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 25 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 26 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 27 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 28 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 29 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 30 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 31 Typed version of John Morgan's journal told in the third person 1875-1892 4 32 Notes for corrections of John Morgan's journal 4 33 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 1 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 2 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 3 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 4 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 5 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 6 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 7 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 8 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 9 Narrative based on the diaries of John Morgan 5 10 Historic events in the life of John Morgan 5 11 Research material on John Morgan's career as a soldier in the Civil War 5 12 Research material on John Morgan's career as a soldier in the Civil War 5 13 Information, photographs and maps of the Civil War 5 14 Information, photographs and maps of the Civil War 5 15 Information, photographs and maps of the Civil War 5 16 Information and photographs about John Morgan and his family 5 17 Letters written about John Morgan 1845-1914 5 18 An article written about John Morgan 1982 5 19 Miscellaneous biography research material about John Hamilton Morgan 5 20 Miscellaneous biography research material about John Hamilton Morgan 5 21 John Morgan "Experiences," published version 1964 5 22 John Morgan "Experiences," drafts 5 23 John Morgan "Experiences," drafts 5 24 John Morgan "Experiences," drafts 5 25 Photographs of Missionary work in Manassa, Colorado 1877-1910 5 26 Photographs of Missionary work in Manassa, Colorado 1877-1910 5 27 Photographs of Missionary work in Pueblo, Colorado 1970-1986 5 28 Information and photographs about the death of John Morgan and other Church members 5 29 "In Memoriam" and other tributes to John Morgan 1947-1959 5 30 Rough draft of a John Morgan biography 1894 6 1 Final draft of John Morgan biography 6 2 Final draft of John Morgan biography 6 3 Final draft of John Morgan biography 6 4 Matthias F. Cowley and John W. Taylor, correspondence 1877-1882 6 5 Matthias F. Cowley and John W. Taylor, correspondence 1877-1882 6 6 History of Matthias F. Cowley 6 7 Diary of James Thomas Lisonbee 1876-1877 6 8 History of Ellen Amelia Johnson Lisonbee 6 9 History of Annie Catherine Christensen 6 10 History of the Kirtland family 1944 6 11 "Louis M. Peterson in Connection with Hans Jensen Mission" 6 12

This article was taken from "Histories of the Old Council House of Manti" (1935), and this copy was made July 10, 1947.

 Miscellaneous papers pertaining to John Morgan 6 13