Background
Morgan, Robert Dale was born on May 27, 1912 in Peoria, Illinois, United States. Son of Harry Dale and Eleanor (Ellis) Morgan.
Morgan, Robert Dale was born on May 27, 1912 in Peoria, Illinois, United States. Son of Harry Dale and Eleanor (Ellis) Morgan.
Bachelor of Arts, Bradley U., 1934; Juris Doctor, University of Chicago, 1937.
Born in Peoria, Illinois, Morgan received a Bachelor of Arts from Bradley University in 1934 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1937. He was a United States. Commissioner, United States. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois from 1938 to 1946. They had two sons: Thomas Doctorate. Morgan (born 1940) and James R. Morgan (born 1946).
He was in the United States Army during World World War II, from 1942 to 1946.
He was a major in the United States. Army Judge Advocate General Corps stationed in Chicago. Morgan was elected the 49th Mayor of Peoria, Illinois and served from 1953 to 1957.
Peoria at the time was known as a city of ill-repute, full of gambling and prostitution. Morgan campaigned on a pledge to oust those elements, and under his administration, police began rapidly enforcing laws against these vice crimes.
Authorities believed that these efforts led to the numerous attempts on his life including a dynamite blast on May 20, 1954, which severely damaged his home.
Under his tenure, Peoria was named by Look magazine as one of the nation"s 11 All-America cities. He was long active in Republican politics in Illinois, but he discontinued all political activity when he was appointed the position of federal judge. 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 Frederick O. Mercer.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 12, 1967, and received his commission the same day.
He was chief judge from 1972 to 1979. On March 31, 1979, he was reassigned to the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, and was chief judge there from 1979 to 1982.
He assumed senior status on May 28, 1982 and remained until his death on May 29, 2002 in Peoria.
Mayor, Peoria, 1953-1957. Board directors Young Men’s Christian Association, Peoria, 1940-1972, president, 1947-1953. Trustee Bradley University Served from 1st lieutenant to major Army of the United States, 1942-1946.
Member American Bar Association, American Judicature Society, Illinois Bar Association, Peoria County Bar Association Clubs: Creve Couer (Peoria), Rotary (Peoria) (president 1962-1963), Country (Peoria).
Married Betty Louise Harbers, October 14, 1939. Children— Thomas Dale, James Robert.