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CHARLES EDWARD MORGAN. A substantial and prominent business man of Cora, Charles Edward Morgan is identified with its mercantile interests as a member of the enterprising firm of Morgan Brothers, and performs his full share in promoting the advancement and prosperity of the city. He was born February 16, 1867, in Degognia township, Jackson county, Illinois, a son of R. B. Morgan. He is of pioneer stock, his grandfather, Cairy Morgan, having settled in Southern Illinois in the `forties. He was, doubtless, the "Cairy Morgan" who served in the Blackhawk war.
Born in Arkansas, May 6, 1841, R. B. Morgan was a small child when brought by his parents to Illinois, At the age of eighteen years he began working on the Illinois Central Railroad, and continued as a member of the construction gang until the completion of the road. He subsequently moved with his parents to Madison county, Illinois, and after the close of the Civil war bought land in Jackson county, where he is now living, retired from business, having accumulated a competency as a farmer, retaining his home, however, on the farm which he improved. He has supported the principles of the Republican party since old enough to cast a ballot, and all of his family are Republicans.
R. B. Morgan married, in Madison county, Illinois, Mary Bishop, daughter of a well-to-do farmer of that county, and of the thirteen children born of their union eight are living, as follows: Maggie, wife of Harvey Clendenin, a farmer in Cora; Lottie, wife of G. B. Tutor, of Degognia township; Charles Edward, the subject of this sketch; Minnie, wife of Sylvester Montroy, of Pinckneyville, an engineer; W. H., who is in partnership with his brother, Charles Edward; Cairy A., a blacksmith in Murphysboro; Cora E., wife of E. L. Simpson, of Chester; and Ethel Irene, wife of Zenas McMinn, who is engaged in farming at Kell, Illinois.
Brought up on the home farm, Charles Edward Morgan was educated in the public schools of Jackson county, and for several years after attaining his majority was prosperously engaged in agricultural
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pursuits. In 1907 he and his brother, W. H. Morgan, embarked in mercantile business under the firm name of Morgan Brothers, and have since built up an excellent trade being one of the leading merchants of Cora.
Mr. Morgan married, September 28, 1888, Nellie Tutor, a daughter of the late John Tutor, a farmer of Rockwood, Illinois. She died July 25, 1907, leaving a Heaven-made vacant place in the home circle. Nine children were born to their marriage, namely: May, who died in infancy; Clarence; Rollie, deceased; Goldie; Wesley; Charles Frederick; Hazel, deceased; Howard; and Roscoe H. Politically Mr. Morgan is a steadfast Republican. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mrs. Morgan also belonged, and when services were held in the Cora Presbyterian church he was one of the elders.