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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Joseph C. MORGAN 

Pages 709-710, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: FULLER, MORGAN] 

    
JOSEPH C. MORGAN, well known and honored, is a native-born citizen of this county, and he has here extensive farming interests. He has an attractive home in Harris Township, adjoining the village of Seville, beautifully situated on an eminence overlooking Spoon River, and commanding a fine view of this pleasant country landscape. Our subject is a son of the late Dr. Darius T. Morgan, a pioneer physician of Fulton County, who was for many years one of the leading members of his profession, till his death in Bushnell, Ill., in 1880. He was greatly esteemed, and his memory is honored by all who knew him; as much for his kindly acts of hand and heart, as for his great skill as a physician. He was a gentleman of broad ideas and of an investigating mind, and as such followed no prescribed limits in medicine. 
    
The Doctor left a wife and five children residing in Bushnell. Among his sons is F. A. Morgan, commonly known as "Bert", who is justly celebrated for his phenomenal musical powers. An enthusiastic admirer and devoted friend, writes of him as follows: "With him music is not an attainment but an endowment. Nature has poured with lavish hand her musical treasures, rich and rare, out to him. She sits with him at the instrument, guiding his hands, while from the keys pour forth the rich melody, grand harmony and concord of sweet songs, till the listener, carried beyond self, and in consonance with the deep swelling, throbbing, over-mastering emotions produced, finds himself either crying or laughing in ecstatic delight. You feel that it is not human fingers that produce the harmony of poetry, the melody of song, the love of gods, the hate of devils, the whispering of zephyrs, the fury of storms, the despairing wail of the lost, with the innocent prattle of the child; the rushing torrent, and the babbling of the brook; the roar of battle, with the chiming of bells. It is more than music! It is a story of life, love, hope, fear, despair and death. The writer hereof was for several years associated with Bert, and has heard him in his various moods, often and often a the organ, produce music by inspiration, and can truly say, 'Fair Calliope, the goddess of music, doth move him.' " 
    
Joseph C. Morgan, the subject of this biographical review, was born in this county November 21, 1847, and has passed nearly all his life here, living for many years in Marietta. When he was fourteen years of age he started in life for himself, working on a farm and teaming till he grew to manhood. He was then married to Miss Julia E. Fuller, a daughter of Amos S. Fuller, who was a well-known miller of this county and is now a resident of Cuba. Mr. And Mrs. Morgan have no children, as their only child, a boy, died in infancy. This the great sorrow of their wedded life, has but served to bind them closer together, and theirs is an example of true marriage. 
    
After he married, our subject settled on his father-in-law's place on Spoon River, where he has opened up a fine farm by his own exertions. It is finely located, as before mentioned, and is only about forty rods from the village of Seville. Mr. Morgan also owns another farm, which comprises one hundred and five acres, and is situated in Cass Township, just across the river and bridge near the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad. His home place, about a half a mile away, comprises one hundred acres, and both farms are finely cultivated and yield rich harvests. 
    
Mr. Morgan is a gentleman of fine presence, pleasant manners and of undoubted integrity. His many sterling qualities and quiet, unassuming disposition have won him a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He enjoys the comforts of his home life which is presided over by his estimable wife, a lady of fine taste and rare attainments.