BIO: Theodore Morris, Jefferson County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kitty Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/ http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/beers/beers-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, pages 1078-1079. _____________________________________________________________________ THEODORE MORRIS is one of the highly respected citizens of Young township, Jefferson county, and has taken a very important part in the upbuilding and development of the locality in which he lives, lending his support to all measures calculated to promote the public good. Mr. Morris was born in Northampton county, Penn., in 1819, a son of Obed and Mary (Bowman) Morris, the former born in Bucks county, Penn., in 1792, the latter in Northampton county, in 1791. In 1820 they removed to Indiana county, and after a few years located in Young township, Jefferson county, where the father purchased 106 acres of timber land. He built there a log house and barn and developed a good farm, which he continued to cultivate until his death in 1881. His wife died in February, 1859, leaving a family of five sons. Her two daughters are both deceased. (1) James M., the eldest, was born in 1815 in Northampton county, was reared on the homestead in Jefferson county, and after his marriage to Phoeba J. Williams, purchased a farm in Perry township, Jefferson county. He afterward traded that for a farm in Oliver township, whereon he now resides. He has a family of five children, namely - Mary E., wife of Enos Nolph, a carpenter of Coolspring, by whom she had two children; William P., who was married and resided in Oliver township until his death in 1895; Emily, who became the wife of R. J. Crisman, and died some years ago; Charles A., who is married and lives on his father's farm in Oliver township; and C. L., who is engaged in teaching. (2) Theodore, the subject of this sketch, is mentioned further on. (3) C. R. B., the third of the Morris brothers, is married and resides in Frostburg, Penn. (4) J. B. is married and lives on his farm in Young township, Jefferson county. (5) Moses A., married Miss Means, of Whitesville, and died some years ago. Theodore Morris was a child of only two years when brought by his parents to Jefferson county, where he has now resided for three- quarters of a century. He received but limited school privileges, his youth being largely devoted to farm work. He was married in 1841, after which he purchased 200 acre of timber land in Young township, a mile north of his father's homestead. There he developed a large farm, and also followed lumbering, floating his products down Mahoning creek to the Pittsburg markets. He continued lumbering and farming on that property for about forty years, and after the death of his youngest brother, Moses, in 1883, removed to the old homestead, where he and his wife are now spending their declining days. Mrs. Morris bore the maiden name of Matilda Gibson, and is the daughter of Andrew Gibson, a well-to-do farmer of Oliver township, Jefferson county. Eight children blessed their home: (1) Mary E., born in Young township, in 1842, became the wife of Harry Law, of Jefferson county, and in 1862 her husband enlisted in the 105th P. V. I. He rose from private to staff officer, and at the time of Lee's surrender volunteered to carry ammunition across the battlefield. While thus engaged he was shot and killed. His only child, Carl C., was educated in the Orphans' School in Dayton, Penn., and in Lewisburg College, and after his graduation, became a teller in a Pittsburg bank. He served in that capacity for some years, and was then appointed by Gov. Hastings as bank examiner of Pennsylvania. H. is married and owns a fine home in Pittsburg. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Law married S. B. Williams, now a resident of Perry township, Jefferson county, and by this union had three children - Martha, wife of John Kayes, of Brockwayville; Joseph, of Punxsutawney; and Bertie, who died at the age of nineteen years. (2) T. J. Morris, the second in our subject's family, now resides on the farm first occupied by his father. He wedded Mary Means, of Jefferson county, who died leaving three children - John C.; Carrie, who is married and lives in Elk county, Penn.; and Minta, who died some years ago. T. J. Morris later married Annice Meaner, of Indiana county, Penn., by whom he had seven children - May, Wesley, Thomas, Jessie, Albert, Matilda and Rachael. (3) Rev. J. R., born in 1846, was graduated at Waynsburg College, and is now pastor of the West Union Presbyterian Church. He married Mattie Means, of Whitesville, and has five children, namely - Bort, who is a graduate of Waynsburg College, is married and practices medicine in Pittsburg; Lucy is also a graduate of Waynsburg College; Maud and John are students in Waynsburg College; and Read is at home. (4) Nancy E., born in 1848, became the wife of George N. Redding, Jefferson county, who afterward purchased a large farm in Indiana county, upon which his family still reside. In partnership with Mr. Hyde he is doing an extensive business as a stock dealer of Ridgway. His family numbers nine children. (5) Martha, born in Young township, Jefferson county, in 1850, is the wife of Charles B. Jordan, who owns and operates a farm in Oliver township, Jefferson county, and is also manufacturing sawed lumber. They have seven children. (6) Clarissa, born in Young township, in 1852, married Rev. S. G. Redding, of West Virginia, who graduated in Lewisburg, Penn., and is now pastor of a church in Williamsport, this State. They have five children.. (7) J. B., born on the old homestead, in 1860, pursued his studies in Waynsburg College, was graduated in the Lincoln University of Illinois, and also in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He is now successfully practicing in Punxsutawney. He married Ella Means, of Jefferson county, and they have three children - George, Walter and Theodore. (8) Salina, born on the old homestead in 1864, is the wife of L. M. Lewis, of Perry township, Jefferson county, Penn., who now operates her father's farm. They have five children - Fannie, Edmond, Paul, Ruth and Alice. Theodore Morris and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They have reared a family who have become useful and respected members of society. Their lives have been well spent, and the circle of their friends is very large. In politics Mr. Morris is a Democrat, and the confidence reposed in his honesty is well indicated by the fact that for thirty-three consecutive years he has served as school treasurer. He has also been school director for a quarter of a century, and was supervisor and auditor for a number of years. He has been a liberal contributor to the building of churches and schools, and no one has done more for the best interests of Young township than this honored pioneer.