Marilyn's Genealogy Adventures

Jane Elder (Jennie) Tannahill Morton

Jane Elder Tannahill and Benjamin Ellis Morton

Benjamin Morton had returned home and upon visiting with William’s family, had fallen in love with his daughter, Jane and they were married on Dec. 7, 1865.

After Benjamin and Jane were married they lived in Iowa until 1871 when they moved to Marshall Co., Kansas near some of his relatives. They stayed there one year then moved on to Phillips Co., Kansas in 1872 where they located on a claim in Freedom township about ten miles northwest of Phillipsburg. They experienced many hardships of pioneer life as one of the first settlers and with their growing family. A granddaughter, Icle, remembers their home on the farm. Part of the house was made of sod and an addition of frame. There was a step or steps from the living area and the soddy sleeping part. The one thing she remembers most was the feeling of “warmth and hominess” in Grandma’s home.

The community soon grew and was made of Union soldiers many from Iowa volunteer companies, hence the name of Iowa Union Community and Cemetery. There are 13 Civil War soldiers buried there. Aunt Jennie and Uncle Ben as they were affectionately called, with their neighbors and relatives organized a Sunday School and a congregational Church which met in the Iowa Union Schoolhouse. The church organization as such, ceased after some years but the Sunday School was an active one for well over 50 years, with various denominations furnishing full or part time ministers.

Jane Elder (Jenny) Tannahill Morton Obituary, “Phillips Co. Review” July 17, 1924

" Jennie E. Tannahill was born in Huntingdon, Canada, September 18, 1826 and passed from earthly life in Lincoln, Nebraska, July 8, 1924, aged 77 years, 9 months and 21 days.

When nine years of age she moved with her parents to Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. In December, 1865 she was _____in marriage to Benjamin E. Morton. The that union nine children were born, seven of whom _____William J. of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mrs. Belle M. Thomas of Lincoln, Nebraska; Bert B. and Roy R. of Basin, Wyoming; Jay T. of Stockton; John O. of Goodland and Henry of Tooele, Utah. One preceded her in death in infancy and Alvin H. passed to the Great Beyond about seven years ago. Her husband was taken from this life in March, 1890.

In the year 1872, with her family, she came to Phillips County, locating on a homestead in the present Iowa Union neighborhood, that present Iowa Union cemetery being a part of that homestead.

She was very active in the religious training in the “Little Brown Community” in Which her lot was cast. Having received her childhood religious training in the “Little Brown Church in the Vale” which has been immortalized in song, she sought to reproduce its ideals in the new community. In 1875 or 1876, she became a member of the Congregational church, organized in her community, but on its disorganization she became a member of the Presbyterian church of Phillipsburg, where her membership remained until the time of her death.

Her later years were spent in the homes of her children. For many years she was with her sons in Utah, and her last days were with her daughter in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Besides her immediate family, she is survived by two brothers, William of Bellwood, Nebraska, George of Vernon, Kansas and one sister, Belle M. Morton of Moscow, Idaho, and many other relatives and friends."

She has gone from us, but the influence of her life and service remain in the life of the church and community which she helped to organize and mold.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning, July 12, in the Presbyterian Church of Phillipsburg, conducted by Rev. L. A. Kerr, pastor of the church assisted by Rev. McDonald, pastor of the Christian church of Stockton. Interment was made in Iowa Union Cemetery.