Biography

Ephraim F. Morgan (b. 1869)

Source: West Virginia Legislative Handbook and Manual and Official Register, 1922
Author: Compiled and edited by John T. Harris, Clerk of the Senate
Tribune Printing Company, Charleston, West Virginia

Page 65, Biography for Ephraim F. Morgan

EPHRAIM F. Morgan, sixteenth Governor of West Virginia, was born January 16, 1869, on a farm near Forksburg, Winfield district of Marion county, the son of Marcus and Jennie (Wymer) Morgan, and is a direct descendant of Morgan ap Morgan, the first white settler in West Virginia. He was educated in the common schools of Marion county, taught school for nine years and completed his education in the Fairmont Normal School and in the West Virginia University. From the latter institution he was graduated in the law school in 1897. After beginning the practice of law in the city of Fairmont, the war with Spain followed and--when President McKinley called for volunteers--he enlisted as a private in the First West Virginia Regiment, serving until the end of the war. Returning to Fairmont, he served as City Solicitor during the years 1900-1901; served as Judge of the Intermediate Court of Marion county, 1907-1913. At the expiration of this term, he resumed the practice of law and engaged in that profession until June 1, 1915, when he was appointed a member of the Public Service Commission by Governor Henry D. Hatfield, subsequently serving as a member and Chairman of that body. He resigned from the Public Service Commission, tendering his resignation to Governor John J. Cornwell November 15, 1919, to become a Republican candidate for Governor. In the primary election, held May 25, 1920, he was nominated by the Republican party for Governor over Samuel B. Montgomery and Fred Paul Grosscup. On November 2, 1920, he was elected to the Governorship over Arthur B. Koontz, the Democratic nominee, and Samuel B. Montgomery, candidate of the Non-Partisan League of West Virginia, by the largest plurality ever given a candidate for that office.

Additional Information:

VITAL RECORDS

Marriage License, Marion County, WV page 389
Ephraim F. Morgan (age 33) married Alma Bennett (age 23)
He was born in Marion County, she was born in Monongalia County.
Married 10-Sep-1902 by W. J. Eddy, Bap. Minister

Death Certificate, Monongalia County, WV #'60-005723
Alma Bennett Morgan died Apr 5, 1960 at age 82-years
dau. of Albert Bennett and Isabelle Robe

U.S. FEDERAL CENSUS

1920 Census, Kanawha County, WV
Charleston, Ward 13, ED: 111, Sheet 3B
1578 Jackson Street
MORGAN, Ephriam F. (head) 50, M, WV-WV-WV, Lawyer, Own-office
", Alma (wife) 42, M, WV-PA-WV
", Albert M. (son) 7, S, WV-WV-WV

1910 Census, Marion County, WV
Fairmont District, ED:61, Sheet 11A
315 Fairmont Avenue
Dwelling: 203, Family: 236
MORGAN, Ephraim F (head) age-39, married-7 yrs, WV-WV-WV, Judge, Int-Court
MORGAN, Alma B (wife) age-32, married-7-yrs, 1-child, WV-WV-WV

1900 Census, Marion County, WV
Fairmont District, ED:52, Sheet 18A
MORGAN, Eaf. F. (Boarder) born-Jan-1869, age-31, Single, WV-WV-WV, Lawyer
(living in the James & Ella Morgan household).

1880 Census, Marion County, WV
Winfield District, ED:93, page-no 11
Dwelling: 77, Family: 79
MORGAN, Marcus, age 44, Farmer, WV-WV-WV
", Lurenza (wife) 39, Keeping-House, WV-WV-WV
", Lyda J (dau) 21, At-Home, WV-WV-WV
", Delia (dau) 19, At-Home, WV-WV-WV
", Levi W (son) 14, At-Home, attends-sch, WV-WV-WV
", Ephriam (son) 11, attends-sch, WV-WV-WV
", Alice P (dau) 8, attends-sch, WV-WV-WV
", Mattie E (dau) 6, attends-sch, WV-WV-WV
", Mary M (dau) 2, WV-WV-WV

1860 Census, Marion County, WV
PO: Forksburg, hw-page 103
Dwelling: 763, Family: 724
MORGAN, Marcus, age-24, Farmer, $0/$280, Virginia
", Mary E., age-20, Virginia
", Lydia J., age-10/12, Virginia
MORGAN, Archa, age-16, Laborer, Virginia, attends-sch
", Joseph G., age-13, Virginia, attends-sch
", Aaron, age-11, Virginia, attends-sch