William Y. Morgan, editor of the "Hutchinson News," director of the State Exchange Bank and one of the leading newspaper men of Kansas, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 6, 1866, a son of William A. and Minnie (Yoast) Morgan. His father is a native of Ireland, but was reared in America, as his parents immigrated from the old country when he was a child of four and located in Cincinnati, where he was educated. Throughout his life William A. Morgan has been connected with the printing business and is familiar with every branch of the trade. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Twenty-third Kentucky infantry, saw active service during all the years of the war and became first lieutenant of Company E. He is past department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes an active interest in the welfare of the old soldiers. In 1871 he came to Kansas and soon after bought the "Chase County Leader," which he has since published. For years he has taken an active part in politics and has served in both branches of the state legislature, where his strong personality and decided views upon public questions had an effect upon legislation. Mrs. Morgan died in December, 1910, but Mr. Morgan still resides at Cottonwood Falls.

William Y. Morgan received his early education in the public schools of Cottonwood Falls, as he was a small child when his parents located in their western home. He entered the state university at Lawrence, where he took special courses that would prepare him for journalism, the profession he had chosen for his life work. While still a boy he had learned to set type in his father's office and the practical knowledge thus gained gave him a better idea of the instruction he desired at college. He graduated with the class of 1885 and immediately began to do local work on a paper in Lawrence; then purchased a newspaper, which he edited and published at Strong City four years, but sold it to purchase the "Emporia Daily Gazette." He built up this paper, made it a first class publication, and continued as its editor until 1895, when he sold out to William Allen White and removed to Hutchinson. There he organized the "News Company," of which he is president and the principal stockholder, and bought the "News," which now has the largest circulation of any paper in central Kansas. Mr. Morgan is a great worker and a capable manager. Few cities the size of Hutchinson can boast of a paper containing as much general news as the one of which he has charge. He has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party and was only twenty when made secretary of the Douglas county convention, and in whatever community he has lived he has been honored with the position of secretary or chairman of the Republican central committee. In 1899 he was elected state printer by the legislature and served in that capacity until 1903, when he was elected to represent Reno county in the lower house of the legislature, serving until 1910, and during two terms was chairman of the committee on railroads. In 1932 he was elected president of the State Exchange Bank of Hutchinson, but found that he did not have any time for his printing business and resigned the presidency, although he still remains a member of the board of directors. He has other banking interests, and is also connected with several jobbing and manufacturing companies in Hutchinson. Any movement for the upbuilding or improvement of the city has the stanch support of Mr. Morgan. He is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta college fraternity and has served as one of the board of regents of the state university. He is an active member of the Sons of Veterans and served as state commander in 1894. Fraternally he is asociated[sic] with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On Nov. 20, 1891, Mr. Morgan married Colie, a daughter of Wit Adair of Strong City. Mr. Morgan is well known in political, legislative, and business circles of the state, and has gained a place in the front rank of the newspaper fraternity, where his ability as a writer is fully recognized by the profession. While abroad, some time ago, Mr. Morgan wrote for the "News" a series of letters which have since been published in book form under the name of "A Journey of a Jayhawker" and "A Jayhawker in Europe." A born leader, it is but natural that Mr. Morgan has taken the lead in movements for good in his city, county and state, and he stands among the representative men of Central Kansas. He was chairman of the committee which raised $75,000 for a Young Men's Christian Association building and is the president of the Hutchinson Association. He is president of the Kansas Editorial Association and is a member of the Associated Press. He is also president of the Hutchinson Printing Company, the largest publishing and blank book house in Central Kansas.