Io6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Lewis H. Morgan was born in Aurora, N. Y., November 21, 18 18. 

 He was educated in Cayuga Academy and Union College, being 

 graduated from the college in 1840. In 1875 he received the degree 

 of LL.D. from his alma itiater. He made his home in Rochester, after 

 his admission to the bar. In 1855 he became legal adviser to the 

 railroad and iron interests in the Marquette region of Lake Superior. 

 During this period he had abundant opportunity for making studies 

 among the western Indian tribes. In 1861 he was elected to the 

 Assembly of New York and in' 1868 to the State. Senate. Morgan 

 early became interested in the Seneca Indians and rendered them 

 several notable services, leading to the preservation of their lands in 

 this State. In 1847 the Senecas adopted him into the Hawk clan, 

 bestowing the name Ta-da-ya-wah-kuh, " One-lying-across," in 

 allusion to his services as intercessor. 



Interest in Morgan and his work has been revived by the New 

 York State Archeological Association, especially by Lewis H. Morgan 

 chapter of Rochester. For several years this chapter has placed 

 memorial wreaths on Morgan's tomb. A large wreath was placed 

 upon the gate of the tomb in 19 18, commem crating the 37th anniver- 

 sary of his death and the looth of his birth. Morgan died 

 December 21, 1881. 



On June 10, 19 19, the Lewis Henry Morgan memorial committee 

 presented to Wells College at Aurora a memorial tablet setting forth 

 the career of Morgan. The members of this committee were William 

 Fellowes Morgan of New York, Dr Robert L. Zabriskie of Aurora, 

 Arthur C. Parker of the State Museimi, Albany,' Dr Allen M. Dulles 

 of the Cayuga County Historical Society, Auburn, Herbert M. Lloyd 

 of Montclair, N. J., Dr Rush Rhees of Rochester University, Alvin 

 H. Dewey of Morgan Chapter, 'N. Y. S. A. A., Rochester, E. R. 

 Foreman of the Rochester Historical Society. The active officers of 

 the committee were Dr Kerr D. MacMillan, president of Wells College, 

 E. H. Gohl, secretary, and N. Lansing Zabriskie, president of the 

 Aurora National Bank, treasurer. 



The tablet was designed by E. H. Gohl of Auburn and was to have 

 been placed on November 21, 1918, the centennial of Morgan's birth. 

 Delay in casting, however, forced the later date. The unveiling was 

 witnessed by a large audience which included the student body and 

 graduates of Wells College. The principal address was made by 

 Prof. Roland B. Dixon of Harvard University and the address of 

 presentation and unveiling by the Archeologist of the State Museum. 



