Robert J. Morgan facts for kids

Robert J. Morgan (1826–1899) was an American lawyer and a person who owned and managed large farms. He also served as a soldier for the Southern states during the American Civil War.

Born and educated in Georgia, he later became a lawyer in Memphis, Tennessee. He also managed large farms in nearby Mississippi. During the American Civil War, he was a colonel in the army of the Confederate States Army from 1861 to 1863. He then became a senior military officer for Lieutenant-General Leonidas Polk from 1863 to 1864. After the war, he served as a special judge in Shelby County, Tennessee, from 1870 to 1878.

Early Life and Education

Robert J. Morgan was born on March 25, 1826, in LaGrange, Georgia. His father, John E. Morgan, was a farmer, banker, and merchant. He also worked for the Confederate government during the Civil War. Robert's mother, Mary T. Brown, was related to Jarrell Beasley, who served in the Georgia Legislature. Robert Morgan's family came from England on his father's side.

Morgan studied at the University of Georgia and graduated in 1847. He then worked as a legal assistant for a law firm called Bull & Ferrell. In 1849, he passed his exams and became a lawyer.

A Career in Law and War

From 1849 to 1859, Morgan was a partner in a law firm called Morgan & Ferrell in LaGrange. He then moved to Memphis, where he continued to practice law. He also became a person who owned and managed large farms in nearby Mississippi.

Before 1861, Morgan was a member of the Whig Party. This party was against states leaving the United States. However, in 1861, he joined the Democratic Party. During the American Civil War, Morgan fought for the Confederate States Army.

He helped create the 36th Tennessee Infantry Regiment in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1861. He served as its Colonel until 1863. His unit was based in Cumberland Gap and fought in Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky. He took part in important battles like the Battle of Murfreesboro and the Battle of Chickamauga.

From 1863 to 1864, he was a senior military officer for Lieutenant-General Leonidas Polk. He served with Polk until Polk's death. After that, he worked for the Confederate government's War Department until 1865. He was released from service in Atlanta, Georgia, that year.

After the Civil War

After the war, Morgan returned to working as a lawyer in Memphis in 1865. He served as the city attorney for Memphis from 1867 to 1870. From 1870 to 1878, he was a special judge in the Chancery Court of Shelby County, Tennessee. He retired from this role in 1878 and went back to his private law practice.

In 1874, Morgan gave a speech at the opening ceremony of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Some people thought he might run for governor of Tennessee, but he continued his work as a judge until 1878.

When Swami Vivekananda, a famous spiritual leader, visited Nashville to give a speech, Morgan introduced him. He told the crowd that "European Americans and Indians are both members of the 'Aryan' race."

Family Life

In 1851, Morgan married Mary H. Battle, who was the daughter of Dr. Andrews Battle. She passed away in 1852. Later, he married Martha F. Fort. Martha was the daughter of Congressman Tomlinson Fort. She was also a cousin of Colonel James Fannin.

Robert and Martha had two sons, Tomlinson Fort Morgan (who died as a baby) and John E. Morgan. They also had a daughter named Mary L. Morgan, who later married John A. Keightly.

Later Years and Passing

Robert J. Morgan passed away on July 23, 1899, in Aberdeen, Mississippi. He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.