Born in Peoria, Illinois, Morgan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bradley University in 1934.

He received a Juris Doctor from University of Chicago Law School in 1937.

[1] Morgan was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 24, 1967, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois vacated by Judge Frederick Olen Mercer.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 12, 1967, and received his commission the same day.

He was reassigned by operation of law on March 31, 1979, to the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois to a new seat established by 93 Stat.