Edwin B. Morgan. When Edwin B. Morgan came to Kansas in 1892, at the age of nineteen, he found his first opportunity for service and work as a school teacher. He taught in Linn County one year, and two years in Franklin County.
Already his ambition was set upon the law as a career. Entering the State University at Lawrence, he pursued the studies of the law department until graduating LL. B, in 1898. In July of that year he began practice at Oswego, and was one of the rising young attorneys of that city for seven years.
Since removing to Cherokee County in 1905 Mr. Morgan has looked after a large general civil and criminal practices, having his home and offices in Galena. He has a suite of offices, rooms 8 to 13, in the Shoman-Moore Building. Besides his private practice Mr. Morgan was elected in 1906 and served one term as county attorney, and has also filled the office of city attorney.
His early life was spent in his native State of Ohio. He was born at Piketon December 17, 1873, attended public schools in Pike and high school in Scioto County, and it was soon after the conclusion of his school work there that he came to Kansas.
This branch of the Morgan family is of Irish stock. His ancestors came to Pennsylvania in colonial days. Mr. Morgan’s grandfather Thomas Morgan was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1803, settled in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1837 and was a farmer in that state until he died in Pike County in 1878. He married Nancy Lutton who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Pike County, Ohio.
Robert Morgan, father of the Galena attorney, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1835, and was two years of age when his parents removed to Jackson County Ohio, where he was reared. He also followed the pursuit of agriculture. After his marriage in Jackson County he moved to Pike County, and farmed there until his death September 28, 1892. He was a republican, very active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he served as trustee and steward many years, and for a long time was superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The maiden name of his wife was Maria A. Daniels, who was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February 1, 1838, and died at Baxter Springs, Kansas, February 19, 1911. There were just three children in the family, Edwin B. being the youngest. His oldest brother M. L. K. is an optometrist at Barklesville, Oklahoma. The second brother, Thomas, is a painter and decorator living at Columbus, Ohio.
Edwin B. Morgan since reaching his majority has been identified with the republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In fraternal matters he is a member of several organizations but takes the greatest interest in Masonry. His affiliations are with Baxter Lodge No. 71, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Baxter Chapter No. 78, Royal Arch Masons; Galena Commandery No. 46, Knights Templars, of which he is eminent commander; Mirza Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Pittsburg; Amy Chapter No. 165 Order of Eastern Star; also Galena Lodge No. 677, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler; Anti-Horse Thief Association and Knights and Ladies of Security. Mr. Morgan joins in the activities of the Commercial Club of Galena, and is a prominent member of the Cherokee County Bar Association.
August 1, 1899, at Oswego, he married Miss Florence Skinner. Her parents both deceased, were Amos and Mary (Bird) Skinner, her father having been a contractor and builder. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have two children: Robert, born March 16, 1902; and Richard, born December 22, 1906.