JOHN C. MORGAN, the leading dry-goods merchant of Canonsburg, Penn., was born October 28, 1846, in Allegheny county, Penn. His father, James Morgan, was born on the same farm where his son John C. first saw the light of day. John C. Morgan remained on the home farm until about twenty years of age, when he went to Marshalltown, Iowa, and worked for the railroad company. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1881, came to Washington county, settling in Canonsburg, where he opened a dry-goods store, and has since remained in that business. In April, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Wilson, and three children have blessed their union, namely: Edith and Edna (twins) and Clara. Mr. Morgan is not an old resident of Washington county, but since his first identification with the interests of the Canonsburg has been a prominent leader in every movement for the general advancement and upbuilding of his adopted city. The beautiful store, which is now the pride of every citizen of Canonsburg, was at the time Mr. Morgan's arrival a dilapidated and broken down old structure. With characteristic engery6 and perseverance he remodeled and added to the original building until a complete transformation was effected. In 1891 he completed one of the finest four-story blocks within the limits of Washington county. It is built of pressed brick, and has two fronts, nine store rooms, seven offices and two lodge rooms. When this building was in process of erection, this enterprising citizen saw the pressing need of a public hall in Canonsburg, suitable for lectures and other entertainments, tending to educate and entertain the people, and to keep them abreast of the times. To think, with him, was to act, and in an incredibly short time afterward his beautiful and commodious opera house was erected. This provides a seating capacity of 500, and is fully equipped with all necessary articles, being undoubtedly the superior of any similar hall in this county. Mr. Morgan keeps a full stock of goods which meet the wants of the surrounding community. His store is both beautiful and expensive, fitted to be an ornament to any city. In the very prime of life, surrounded by friends and family, John C. Morgan is indeed a prosperous man, possessing wonderful business capacity, combined with untiring energy. He believes in patronizing home industries, and to this end endeavors to supply his customers with a full line of modern goods at reasonable prices. It is almost needless to add that these endeavors have met with hearty approval and earnest co-operation from the citizens of Canonsburg, who appreciate the debt they owe to enterprising and public spirited men like these. John C. Morgan is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, in the western part of Canonsburg, and in politics is a Republican.

Text taken from page 720 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 1997 by Bobbi Steele of Indianapolis, IN as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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