Albert W. Morgan, M. D., DeWitt

ALBERT WOODS MORGAN, son of Isaac Morgan, farmer and merchant, and Cynthia Westfall, is a native of Indiana, and was born at Thorntown, Boone county, on the 16th of January, 1840. His great-grandfather was in one or two battles of the revolution, and his grandfather and father were in the second war with England. The Morgans were from Wales, the Westfalls from Germany.

Albert spent his earlier years on his father's farm, and then in his father's store, finishing his literary education in the high school at Moline, Illinois. In 1860 he commenced reading medicine with Dr. A. S. Maxwell, of Davenport, Iowa; he attended two courses of medical lectures at Keokuk, and opened an office at De Witt, Clinton county, Iowa, in the summer of 1863. Here he practiced one year, following it with a year's practice at Springfield, Keokuk county. In April, 1865, he went into the army as assistant surgeon of the 12th Illinois Cavalry, soon afterward becoming surgeon of the 37th Illinois Infantry, with which he served until May, 1866, when the regiment was mustered out. Although the war was nearly over when Dr. Morgan went into the service, he had considerable field practice, and it was a good school to him. While a student at Keokuk, where there was a general hospital during the civil war, he had excellent opportunities for hospital duties, and did not neglect them. He has since reaped the benefits of such opportunities.

In the summer of 1866 we find Dr. Morgan once more at De Witt, where he continues to practice with increasing skill and a growing reputation. In 1870 he spent a short time at the medical college at Keokuk, brushing up his knowledge and receiving a diploma. He is United States examining surgeon, and has an excellent standing both as a medical practitioner and surgeon.

Dr. Morgan is a Freemason, an Odd-Fellow, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, but gives to such organizations no time that would interfere with his profession. He is a member of the county and state medical societies, has read several papers before the former body, and avails himself of every opportunity to improve in medical knowledge. In politics, he is a republican.

On the 6th of June, 1866, Miss Eliza Reed, of Mingo, Champaign county, Ohio, became his wife, and they have had three children, only two of whom are now living. Mrs. Morgan was educated at the high school at Marion, Ohio, and is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence.

Source:

The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men. Iowa Volume.

Chicago and New York: American Biographical Publishing Company, 1878