Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Morris, James H. 1845 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 December 28, 2019, 6:16 pm

Source: Alden, Ogle & Co.
Author: See Below

JAMES H. MORRIS, one of the most prominent citizens, as well as one of the most
extensive farmers and stock-raisers in Mocker county, is a resident of section 22,
Litchfield township. He is a native of Fort Niagara, N. Y., was born on the 26th of
September, 1845, and is a son of Colonel Thompson and Martha B. (Upham) Morris. His
father was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth United States Infantry, was a prominent
and influential man of his times, and died on the 14th of February, 1870. James H.
Morris’ great grandparents came from Wales in 1715, and located near Philadelphia.
His grandfather, James C. Morris, emigrated to Ohio in 1814; he had seen service in
the Tripolitan war, and was one of those captured on the frigate Philadelphan, and
held prisoner for two years by the Bashaw of Tripoli.

   James H. Morris, the subject of this sketch, began life for himself when about
sixteen years of age, by clerking for Col. J. D. Bingham, chief quartermaster of the
Seventeenth corps, but was taken sick in front of Vicksburg, and returned home.
After recuperating he began clerking for Capt. H. B. Goodrich. A. Q. M., and
continued until March, 1864, when he enlisted in the 137th Ohio Infantry. In the
following June he was promoted to second lieutenant in the Tenth New York Artillery,
and served in the front of Petersburg and Richmond during the summer of 1864, and in
the campaign of Shenandoah Valley, Va., in the fall of 1864. During the winter of
1865 he was in the front of Petersburg and Richmond, on the Bermuda front; and after
the collapse of the Confederacy, was on duty in Petersburg, on the staff of
post-commandant Col. George C. Kibble, of the Sixth New York Artillery. He was
finally mustered out of the service on the 30th of June, 1865, at Sackett’s Harbor,
New York. After the close of the war he went West, and finally located in
Minneapolis. In March, 1869, he removed to Dassel, Meeker county, where he erected a
saw mill and built the first store. In December, 1873, he removed to Litchfield and
engaged in the milling and mercantile business. His name is closely identified with
the growth and development of Litchfield, and he figures prominently in the business
history of the county seat. On the 1st of April, 1875, he was appointed postmaster
of that place, and retained the office until the 30th of June, 1887. He now resides
on his magnificent farm of several hundred acres, on the western shore of Lake
Ripley, and devotes his attention to his extensive farming and stock-raising
interests. Mr. Morris has taken a prominent and active interest in all public
matters. He was first lieutenant of Company H, First Regiment Minnesota National
Guards, from its organization until March 1, 1888; is a member of Golden Fleece
Lodge No. 89, A. F.& A.M., and was its master for a number of years; a member of
Eabboni Chapter, No. 39, and is the present eminent commander of Mileta Commandery
No. 17, Knights Templar. He is also a prominent member of Frank Daggett post, G. A.
R.

          Mr. Morris was married at Minneapolis on the 13th of July, 1870, to Miss
Florence J. Williams. She is a daughter of John G. and Jane S. Williams. Her father
died in July, 1880, and her mother is now living in Minneapolis. Mrs. Williams, her
mother, has five children who are now living, as follows; Florence J., now Mrs.
Morris, of Litchfield; Lou B., now Mrs. James E. Upham, of Litchfield; J. C.
Williams, Marcia A. and Sallie E., of Minneapolis.

          Mr. Morris has one brother and one sister — Charles A. and Maria L., both
of whom are unmarried and are living in Minneapolis.

          The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Morris has been blessed with the following
named children— Mattie F., Louise J., James C., Thompson C. and Eichard W. (twins),
and Harbron W., all of whom are living except Thompson C., who died at the age of
seven months.

          We take pleasure in presenting a portrait of Mr. Morris on another page in
this Album.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from
Illustrated Album of Biography
Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota
1888




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