| Contributor::
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Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 5 November 2005 |
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The History of Warren County Ohio Part V. Biographical Sketches Massie Township (Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992) |
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JOHN MORRIS, retired farmer; Harveysburg; born in North Carolina Dec. 19, 1797; is a son of Isaac and Millicent (Bundy) Morris, natives of North Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Zachariah Morris, as far as is now known, was a native of North Carolina, as was also the maternal grandfather, Demcy Bundy, and they lived and died in that State, the ancestry of both families being from England. In 1798, Isaac Morris and family moved from North Carolina to Virginia, and located in Grayson Co., where he resided till his death; he was a farmer by occupation through life. They had thirteen children, four now survive — Zadok, John, Nancy (now Mrs. Sexton, residing in Fayette Co., Ohio), and Sarah, now widow Bemer, residing in Iowa. Zadok married Lydia Barnett; she died and he married for his second wife, Mrs. Ruth McPherson, whose maiden name was Gary; they reside in Fayette Co., Ohio. In 1816, our subject, with his brother, came to Ohio and located in Clinton Co., where they remained about ten months; thence returned to Virginia, and in 1818 returned to Ohio, coming through the entire distance (500 miles), on foot, and also, we should state, that in going back to Virginia, they walked the entire distance, thus making 1,000 miles on |
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foot, which would be a great undertaking for the young of our present generation. In 1823, Mr. Morris purchased a farm in Clinton Co. with 40 acres cleared, located about eight miles east of Harveysburg. On this farm he remained about thirty years; thence he sold out and bought another farm five miles east of Harveysburg, and there resided eighteen years, when, from advancing years, and having, by his own labor and industry, accumulated a good competency, he purchased a good residence in Harveysburg, to which he moved in 1871, and here has since lived, retired from all active labor, desiring to enjoy a quiet rest during the balance of his life. He still owns, but rents his farm, which consists of 300 acres of fine land, and which has brought him $1,000 per year, cash rent. In January, 1823, Mr. Morris was united in marriage with Ruth, daughter of Anthony Stanley, a native of North Carolina; issue, nine children; four now survive — Isaac, now editor of the Miami Helmet, at Piqua, Ohio ; Micajah, living in Illinois; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Stanley, living in Kansas; and Ruth, now Mrs. Roberts, residing in Indiana. Mr. Morris' wife died June 21, 1838. On Jan. 17, 1839, he married Mary, daughter of Robert and Edith Stanley, natives of North Carolina; by her he had eight children; five now survive—Lydia, now Mrs. Curl; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. Elias D. Harlan; Jeremiah and Isabel (twins), and Susanna H. The mother died Aug, 6, 1881. Mr. Morris relates that the first experience he had after coming to Ohio, and the first money he made was in killing a bear; he had started out to hunt turkeys, which were very plentiful in those days, and he accidentally came across a large black bear; he says his heart beat so loudly that he could hear it thump distinctly; but he took sure aim with his old flint gun and fired; although the bear ran a short distance, he soon died, the ball having penetrated his heart. The skin of the bear, which was a very large and fine one, he sold to Gen. Trimble, afterward Governor of Ohio, for $3. |
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