Samuel Morgan
Encyclopedia
Samuel Dold Morgan was an American
businessman, builder, and manufacturer. He was known as "The Merchant Prince of Nashville."
Samuel D. Morgan was born in Staunton, Virginia
. He was married on November 2, 1819, to Matilda Grant Rose Mackintosh of Staunton, born in 1802. They would eventually have 12 children. The family moved from Huntsville, Tennessee
, to Nashville
in January 1833, where Morgan became involved in dry goods and banking. He was at once a merchant, architect and builder. His firm, Morgan and Company, was one of the largest wholesale importers of dry goods and a manufacturer of clothing; the business was sufficiently sound and respected to be permitted to issue script money during the Panic of January 30, 1844. He was appointed to the new commission charged with planning a new State Capitol for Tennessee
, becoming its president in 1854, Morgan was instrumental in choosing William Strickland
of Philadelphia as the architect of this monumental structure.
In 1856 his firm built the Italianate style Morgan-Reeves Building at 208-210 Public Square; the building survived until 1975. (Building photos and details -- external link)
During the American Civil War
, Morgan engaged in manufacturing munitions for the Confederates
until Nashville's occupation by Union forces
. He was also a Confederate official, serving as chairman of the Central Bureau of Military Supplies in Nashville during the War. Morgan had two sons killed during the war serving in the Confederate States Army
. His nephew, Brig. Gen.
John Hunt Morgan
of Alabama
, served with the Confederate cavalry
and gained fame as the leader of Morgan's Raid
ers. He was killed in 1864.
Samuel Morgan died in Nashville and his remains were interred in the southeast corner of the State Capitol.
Morgan Park in the historic Germantown section of Nashville was named in honor of Morgan.
On June 10, 1980, the hundredth anniversary of Samuel Morgan's death, a ceremony was held at the Tennessee Capitol Building in his honor. The State Legislature declared that day to be "Samuel Dold Morgan Day" (Senate Joint Resolution 351).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman, builder, and manufacturer. He was known as "The Merchant Prince of Nashville."
Samuel D. Morgan was born in Staunton, Virginia
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
. He was married on November 2, 1819, to Matilda Grant Rose Mackintosh of Staunton, born in 1802. They would eventually have 12 children. The family moved from Huntsville, Tennessee
Huntsville, Tennessee
Huntsville is a town in Scott County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 981 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:...
, to Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in January 1833, where Morgan became involved in dry goods and banking. He was at once a merchant, architect and builder. His firm, Morgan and Company, was one of the largest wholesale importers of dry goods and a manufacturer of clothing; the business was sufficiently sound and respected to be permitted to issue script money during the Panic of January 30, 1844. He was appointed to the new commission charged with planning a new State Capitol for Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, becoming its president in 1854, Morgan was instrumental in choosing William Strickland
William Strickland (architect)
William Strickland , was a noted architect in nineteenth-century Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Nashville, Tennessee.-Life and career:...
of Philadelphia as the architect of this monumental structure.
In 1856 his firm built the Italianate style Morgan-Reeves Building at 208-210 Public Square; the building survived until 1975. (Building photos and details -- external link)
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Morgan engaged in manufacturing munitions for the Confederates
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
until Nashville's occupation by Union forces
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He was also a Confederate official, serving as chairman of the Central Bureau of Military Supplies in Nashville during the War. Morgan had two sons killed during the war serving in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
. His nephew, Brig. Gen.
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan was a Confederate general and cavalry officer in the American Civil War.Morgan is best known for Morgan's Raid when, in 1863, he and his men rode over 1,000 miles covering a region from Tennessee, up through Kentucky, into Indiana and on to southern Ohio...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, served with the Confederate cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
and gained fame as the leader of Morgan's Raid
Morgan's Raid
Morgan's Raid was a highly publicized incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Northern states of Indiana and Ohio during the American Civil War. The raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig. Gen...
ers. He was killed in 1864.
Samuel Morgan died in Nashville and his remains were interred in the southeast corner of the State Capitol.
Morgan Park in the historic Germantown section of Nashville was named in honor of Morgan.
On June 10, 1980, the hundredth anniversary of Samuel Morgan's death, a ceremony was held at the Tennessee Capitol Building in his honor. The State Legislature declared that day to be "Samuel Dold Morgan Day" (Senate Joint Resolution 351).