Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Morris, James H. 1845 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: 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 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/meeker/bios/morris81nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mnfiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb