John B. Moragne

John B. Moragne was born at Gadsden, Alabama, October 29, 1854; received a common-school education, and, since 1882, has been in mercantile business. His grandfather, John Moragne, a silver-smith by occupation, came from France, settled in south Carolina, where he became a wealthy planter, and in 1830, moved to Alabama.

John S. and Sarah (Revel) Moragne, parents of John B., were natives of Abbeville District, S.C. Mr. Moragne came with his father and settled in Cherokee County, this State, in 1830. He was a farmer by occupation, and much interested in the mineral deposits of this part of the country. He sunk, probably, the first shaft in search of minerals that was put down in Northeastern Alabama. In 1859 he purchased a large tract of mineral lands near Attalla, and in 1871 shipped to Wheeling, Va., the first ore leaving this State. He subsequently leased the mines, from which the family have since received a handsome royalty. He died in March, 1882, leaving a family of six sons an three daughters.

Source: Northern Alabama: historical and biographical. Birmingham, Ala: Smith & DeLand, 1888.