Mayor 1923 - 1927
Morgan Stephens died on Saturday 8 July 1939 at his Armidale residence. Aged 72 years, he was born at Beaconsfield, South Australia the son of the late Mr and Mrs Edward J. Stephens, who were natives of Cornwall, England. His father was a schoolteacher. He arrived in the Hillgrove mining town as a young man and he conducted a printery, stationery and auctioneer's business there for some thirty years. With the decline of the mining town, he moved to Armidale in February 1917 to establish his business there.
He entered council in January 1920 and served until December 1929 when ill health caused him to resign. He was mayor for five terms from 1923 to 1927. Stephens Bridge in Marsh Street on the New England Highway was named in his honor.
He was a long serving member of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows and held all the offices in his lodge, district and society. He was the senior Past Grand Master in New South Wales and district secretary at the time of his death; a position he had held since the inception of the district 29 years ago. He had 50 years of active service in the society.
He was also a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge. He joined the Hillgrove Lodge in October 1903 and became Workshipful Master (WM) in 1908 and 1914 also Grand District Inspector of Workings (GDIW) for New England in 1914 and 1915. He also became a member of the Lodge Unity No 6, Armidale. He was a foundation member of the New England Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No 40, and Armidale Royal Arch Chapter No 40, being WM of the Mark Lodge in 1915 and 1916 and First Principal of the Armidale Chapter in 1923 and 1924. He was appointed director of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows for N.S.W. for twelve months in May 1917 and was also a past GDIW of the Mark and Royal Arch Lodge of New England.
He was an enthusiastic bowler, having been a member of the Armidale Club for the past 19 years and took a leading role in the administrative and playing activities of the club. He was president for six terms in 1926 and from 1935 until the time of his death. President of the New England Bowling Association in 1938-1939.
He was deeply involved in St. Peter's church and was a member of the Church of England Cathedral Council, a lay canon, warden of St. Peter's Cathedral and a member of the Diocesan Council and Synod. He was a past president and member of the Church of England Men's Society.
He was buried in the Church of England portion of the Armidale cemetery a service at St. Peter's Cathedral. He was survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.