EPHRAIM FRANKLIN MORGAN was born in Forksburg, Marion County, West Virginia. He received an LL.B. from West Virginia University in 1897 and began the practice of law in the U.S. Army at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. He was later City Solicitor of Fairmont, West Virginia and Judge of the Intermediate Court of Marion County. Prior to being elected governor, he was also a member of the West Virginia Public Service Commission from 1915 to 1919, serving as chairman in 1917. During his gubernatorial administration, provision was made for the construction of a system of state roads, for raising of revenues by means of a gross sales tax, and for state benefits for disabled World War I veterans. After leaving the state house, Morgan resumed the practice of law and served for six years as Solicitor for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Morgan died in Bethesda, Maryland.