John Coswallon Morgan: From Civil War soldier to Sioux Falls doctor
John Coswallon Morgan went from being born on Valentines Day to being apart of one of the most important brigades in the Civil War. His life illustrates a broader story of Western expansion in the late 1800s.
John Coswallon Morgan was born on February 14, 1840, in Palmyra, Ohio. He came from a family that had migrated from Wales to the United States in search of a better life. His parents were Evan Faulkes Morgan and Winifred Rees Morgan. They were part of many Welsh families that moved to the Midwest in the early 1800s to find land to farm and build a community. By 1850, the Morgan family had relocated to Union, a small town in Wisconsin, where they faced the challenges of settling in a new area.
On December 8, 1864, Morgan enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was assigned to the 7th Wisconsin Infantry as a Private First Class. Likely, he did not engage in direct combat during his service; however, historical records present two differing accounts regarding the circumstances of his discharge. One version suggests that he was granted leave after sustaining three wounds in combat. Conversely, the other account indicates that, at the war's conclusion, as the 7th Regiment was mustered out, he was among the soldiers still serving and could return home without physical injury.
The 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was one of the most respected Union units during the American Civil War. It was part of the famous Iron Brigade of the West. The Regiment was formed at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin, and began service in September 1861. Most of its members were farmers, workers, and artisans from small towns in Wisconsin, known for their firm discipline and distinctive black hats. The 7th Wisconsin fought in its first big battle in the spring of 1862. However, it was at the Battle of Antietam in September 1862 that the Regiment really made its mark. They fought hard on the Regimental Field, suffering many losses but playing a key role in the battle. Their bravery helped the Iron Brigade become one of the Union Army's best units. In 1863, the Regiment was involved in many battles. At the Battle of Gettysburg in July, they fought on the first day and helped slow the Confederate advance, enabling the Union forces to prepare their defenses and ultimately win the battle.
By 1865, Morgan had moved even further west to Moscow, Minnesota. This was after the Civil War, during a time when many new settlers were moving into the upper Midwest. However, it is not clear what job he had there. He likely worked as a medical professional after service, as evidenced by documents that address him as M.D. John Morgan. His journey from Ohio to Wisconsin and then to Minnesota illustrates how many immigrants in the late nineteenth century were moving westward in search of new opportunities. Morgan later settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he spent his later years.
At that time, Sioux Falls was experiencing rapid growth due to the expansion of railroads and an influx of people moving there. John Coswallon Morgan passed away in Sioux Falls in April 1900 at the age of sixty and was buried there. His life illustrates the broader narrative of western expansion, as many people sought farming opportunities and established communities in the northern plains during the late nineteenth century.
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