New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-20
OBITUARY.
THE REV. DIR. WILLIAM F. MORGAN.

Tho Rev, DIT. william Ferdinand Morgan, rector Of
e. Thomas's Protestant Episcopal Church, Fifthave
ana fffty-thirdst. died carly yesterday morning at
his homo, No, West Fihy-hird-st after two weeks
Illness Tho date and arrangements for the funeral
have not been decided upon, DR. Morgan was one Of
The post known clcrgymen In town. lie was q pub
lc-spirited man and his life devoted to mission
airy work
Hc was born In Hartford, Conn, on December 81.
'eif, and twenty years later was graduated from
Union College, and In 1910 from tho General Theo-
logical Seminary In this city. Bishop Browneii
appointed him deacon in Christ Church, Hartford,
In 1s4f and one year later he was ordained prlcst
~ trinity Church, New-TIsven, by the same Bishop
Tic was Tor some time assistant minister OF that church
ana was also rector of st. Peters Church. In Cheshire,
Conn lie became rector of Christ Church, in Nor
weh, Conn, In 1914 and for fourteen years held tho
ONCE In tho meantime cndearins himself to the peo-
Pic py his untirng enorgy II was through his efforts
,hat new church cdlfce was erected at cost OF
$4,000 and paid for during that period.
DR. Morgan had become famous, and In 1887 no 40
ceptca call to the rectorate OF St. Thomass Church,
bcng promised not only metropolitan establishment,
Dut actual missionary work as we'll He was recently
MADE rector emeritus at a salary OF 900 year.
lie was made doctor Of divinity by Columbia College.
st. 1homas's Church was founded in 1898 at BROAD
way and Broome st., and when Dr. Morgan took charge
OF IL 1t was at broadway and Houston-st In 1867
tho present cdlfcc erected, and was dedicated 10
1870, but tho building was not consccraed until
May, 1883 The reason for this lion Of 100000
upon the building. On Whit Sunday, 1893 100000
was placed upon the altar OF the church, tho whole
amount having been subscribed since Palm Sunday
by the efforts OF DR.. Morgan and the vcstry.
In connection with the church, no erected Free
Chapel at secondave. aud siA,icthst, and placed
In charge of tho Rev, Robert Lowry. Services are
conducted there In German by the Rev. Poland Gruc
ber The cost was $4,000 DR.. Morgan was the
superintendent Of several charitable and benevolent
organizations. In 1854 he went to Europe by cpis-
eopal appointment aud preached the conservation
mon at tho Church OF the Holy Trinity the American
Protestant Episcopal Church In Paris His sermon
on that OCCASION describing the historical basis Of the
American Episcopal Chmch and tho struggles of the
religious reformoS In France, was soon afterward
published in Paris
Out Of the pulpit DIR. Morgan well known and
highly esteemed He was largo man and his bearing
was imposing His nature kind and genial and
while always dlgnlhed no showed sympathetic re-
gard for the rights and feelings OF Others in every
class. The news of his death was q great shock to
all who knew him. Bishop Potter, who was his init
mate friend, called at his home early In tho day, and
many others sent messages Of sympathy with his
daughters.
He last occupied the pulpit on Sunday May 9.
As this was Communion Sunday, and as 1t was prob
ably the last time he would rector adminls tor the
communion, the attendance unusually large He
administered the bread and wine to nearly all the
munlcants present. Dr. Morgan was takon III on the
following Thursday with chill, and Dr. Packard
was called TO attend him. The physician found that
he was suffering from malaria fever 1t thought
that no serious result would follow until four days
ago, when Dr. Draper, was called in consultation.
II was then announced that his condition
tremey critical Mrs Marinus Wlctt, of Whining
ton, y. C., and Mrs, II. g. sharpe Of West Point, DR..
with his Oldest daughter, Mrs. Paul Dahsren nursed
him until the end lie was conscious until within a
fcrcd from complication OF diseases and II is believed
that had this not been the be would have con
quercd this last disease with which no was stricken.
Dr. Morgan's wife died several years ago. The three
daughters mentioned arc the only surviving members
OF his family.