COLUMBIANA COUNTY OHIO - MORRIS/MILLER History Chapters 35 - 44 (published 1873) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman MaggieOhio@columbus.rr.com November 9, 1999 *********************************************************************** "HISTORY OF THE MORRIS AND MILLER FAMILIES" By Morris Miller 1873 *********************************************************************** Chapter 35 History of the Dutton Family As the early history of Joseph Dutton and family has been brought along with that of my father’s, I shall now resume it. In the spring of 1816 they moved to their new home, and got along with reasonable success, although it taxed their energies to the utmost thus to begin again almost entirely in the woods. In the early part of the year 1821 they received intelligence of a legacy of about $900 from a deceased relative of his in the east. Late in the autumn of the same year, Father and Uncle rode over east, Uncle to get his legacy and Father to see his brother Samuel, living in Bucks County, Pa. They had a very pleasant journey and returned safely. This addition to Uncle’s means released him from much embarrassment and assisted in enlarging the area of cleared land. Dear Aunt was not favored to be long with them in this comfortable change. She was called away by death on the 3rd of the 2nd month, 1824. She was much missed by her family and friends, particularly we children of the Miller family to whom she had been so kind during our bereavement several years before. Uncle having daughters old enough to keep house, remained single a little over two years, at which time he married a widow woman named Joanna Smith, the mother of three almost grown children - two daughters and one son, who, when living with the nine Dutton children, made a full house. The older Dutton girls were relieved somewhat from home concerns, and occasionally had pleasant situations abroad, as there was then a good demand for girls to operate spinning wheels. The oldest girl, Hannah, had a sojourn of nearly two years keeping house for her uncle Samuel Morris, at Westland, Pa., after his first wife’s death. The father and Joanna lived together nearly twelve years, when she deceased. After some time he was married to a widow woman named Sarah Mendenhall. Their marriage occurred in the 4th month, 1839, and they lived together until the time of his decease, which occurred on the 25th of the 12th month, 1855. Sarah is now very old. She is living with her son-in- law, Josiah Cameron, about three miles south of Salem. In former years when able to go around, she frequently sojourned with the three Dutton children remaining on and near the old homestead. Such a good feeling existed that they were always pleased to have her company. She now has a very comfortable home at Camerons. Having brought the history of the parents down to the present time, I shall now notice the children according to their order. Elisha, the oldest, resided with his father until the close of the year 1835, when he was married to Anna Shroy, who resided near by. After marriage they settled on a few acres of land in the north corner of his father’s farm and erected buildings to make them comfortable. In course of time two children were born to them, first a boy and next a girl. In the year 1844 they sold out and went west, but not finding it as they had hoped, they returned and settled again on the north side of his father’s farm and resumed their former occupation of farming. By building a small frame house and digging a well, they were comfortably situated. In 1845 another son was born to them, shortly after which their daughter, then about six years old, deceased, and again in six years the mother was called away, leaving the father and two boys very lonely, but by getting a housekeeper they kept together. On the 7th of the 4th month, 1853, he was married to Rachel Hamilton, after having been single about 18 months. She was a member of a very respectable family living near by. In about a year a daughter was born to them whom they named Emma Elmira. She is now a very promising young woman. They lived together about eleven years, when Rachel deceased, leaving the father and children quite lonely again. He employed his nice, Philena Cleaver, the daughter of his youngest sister Deborah, as housekeeper. After living thus for near two years, she was solicited to marry a young man of her former acquaintance living in Washington County, Pa., and hence he had to give her up. Soon afterwards he concluded to marry again, and accordingly made an engagement to that effect with Hannah Clemson, a woman from a very respectable family near by, to whom he was married on the 28th of the 12th month, 1866. I shall now leave him comfortably fixed on his well cultivated farm, while his two sons Joseph and John are married and pleasantly settled in the west. Hannah, the eldest daughter, was married to William Hilles on the 29th of the 4th month, 1835, soon after which they went west, but she lived only a few years after moving, being called away without any children. She was a woman much respected by all who knew her. Maria, the second daughter, was married to Abraham McBride on the 12th of the 12th month, 1833. After marriage they settled near his father’s, but she did not live more than 18 months when she was called away by death about a week after the birth of her first child. This was a great trial to all, as her husband had been a particular friend of mine from early boyhood. She also was much esteemed, having been an inmate of my family since her father’s second marriage. The child, Maria by name, lived and prospered. After mature time the father was married to a very respectable woman, soon after which they emigrated to the west. At woman’s age and with suitable company, Maria made a sojourn back to her native land, where she was very kindly received. Soon after returning home she was called away, much to the regret of her relatives. Thus the two elder sisters left no prosperity. Sarah Ann, the third daughter, married Jesse West, a lineal descendent of the West family on the 24th of the 9th month, 1835. He was a plasterer by trade, at which he made a good living. In 1840 they moved to Henry County, Indiana, since which I have heard but little about them. I learned that one of the sons returned from the Army infected with measles, from which the mother became infected and deceased. I am not posted in regard to the number of their children, but am informed that the father was married some time after to a widow woman, the mother of three children, making in all quite a large family. Eliza, the fourth daughter, married Edmund Smith, the son of her stepmother Joanna, on the 1st of the 10th month, 1834. After residing at and near his father’s for several years, they emigrated to the west about the time that Sarah Ann moved there, and settled near them. Several years since Edmund deceased, soon after which Eliza was married to a former acquaintance of hers, William Dugdale, of Columbiana County. I have no account of their posterity. Phebe, the fifth daughter, was married to a young man of a very respectable family named Joseph Windle, in the 4th month, 1839. He was a plasterer by trade, at which he was always considered proficient when he chose to be so employed. Soon after marriage his father helped him to purchase a farm near the south side of Butler Township, where they still remain. He made a very good living, and eventually erected a mansion house. To them were born four sons and three daughters. Mary, the eldest, married but did not live quite a year afterwards. The next daughter married and settled near by, but has been afflicted with bad health ever since. The sons were very industrious boys; hence, their united efforts advanced them enough to purchase a farm near by to settle on. The youngest son and daughter were both married in the autumn of 1874, Next midwinter the mother was taken ill, resulting in an inflammation of the liver, which soon took her away. Her death was much lamented by a large circle of acquaintances, among home she had so long resided. She was buried in her father’s cemetery on the 14th of 2nd month, 1875, attended by a large and solemn crowd of friends and relatives. Matilda, the sixth daughter, remained single until the 35th year of her age when she went west to abide with her sisters and was married to Nicholas Kerns on the 14th of the 2nd month, 1850. They settled in Greensborough, Henry County, Indiana, where they still reside. He is engaged in the mercantile business, and having no children, gives her time to visit. Since marriage she had made two trips back to see her relatives, among whom she was kindly received. She had a very affable deportment of language to entertain company. On one of her visits she exhibited some specimens of drawings, displaying much skill and talent. I was induced to say that she inherited a little of the talent from her great uncle Benjamin West. I have found her a pleasant correspondent on various subjects. Deborah, the youngest daughter, was married to Eli Cleaver, the son of Isaac Cleaver of Washington County, Pa. I have no date of their marriage, but suppose it occurred in 1842 (correction - November 20, 1840.) I think they went west before Elisha did, but they both returned near the same time, after which they settled in a small house near that of her father’s, where they were taken ill of a fever and both deceased about the first autumn, 1845, leaving two small children, a son and a daughter, who were raised at his father’s. The son deceased when a young man. The daughter kept house for Elisha, where she was married to Oliver Linton, with whom she is now living near his relatives in Washington County, Pa. David, the youngest, abode with his father on the farm, which he had divided between his sons on the condition that they should pay the sister heirs a certain annuity such as they could arrange. Over twenty-two years he was married to Hannah West, a cousin in Jesse West. They lived on the farm and raised but one child, a daughter who is now married. Her husband being a plasterer by trade is much from home; hence, she remains on the farm with her parents. Chapter 36 The Jonathan Morris Family Jonathan Morris was the oldest brother living of Isaac Morris’ first set of children. He was a pleasant youth in the latter years of his minority. He wisely devoted his leisure moments to the acquisition of useful knowledge. Schools then being in a very crude state, little was aspired to above reading and writing, the former of which he had a great taste for. A library in a neighboring village gave him an opportunity to obtain reading matter. He generally read aloud so his father could hear, thus rendering it interesting of long evenings for the rest of the family. The father was careful to have this followed up during his lifetime, gleaning as much intelligence as if he had possessed an ordinary education in early life. What Uncle most esteemed in reading was good oratory. He was very fond of debate, and was among the first to organize clubs for that purpose. He was an active worker on the farm until about twenty years of age. Near the close of that period they effected the last clearing on the main farm. Since it was near the river, it gave them a chance to dispose of the extra timber for saw logs. He spent a little time with his brother-in- law, Joseph Dutton, in learning the cooper trade, as making flour and apple barrels was then a good business, but he never did much at it afterwards. In the autumn of 1809 he married Phebe Baker, their near neighbors, the latter of whom had deceased some years before. His marriage occurred when about midway in his 22nd year. I think they began housekeeping early in the spring in part of the house with Joseph Dutton, who at the same time went to Ohio to prepare a home for his family, as previously stated. Late in the 10th month he moved his family over to the new home, leaving them in possession of a very comfortable house, which they enjoyed with reasonably good health for upwards of 20 years. In speaking of Uncle’s proclivities, I have omitted to say that in early manhood he indulged in a military spirit, which carried him to the promotion of Captain in a military company. He soon became disgusted and renounced the promotion, believing it to be inconsistent with Christian principles. Soon after arriving at this conclusion he made the request to become a member of the Society of Friends, the influence of which he had been raised under. He always esteemed its doctrinal points, and also was much pleased with the writings of its principal members. After due course of discipline his request was granted, since which he has been a very consistent member. In political matters he was a very zealous abolitionist. He was early led into these views by reading the speeches of the great Irish orator, John P. Curran. Two volumes containing these addresses were sent to him by Jesse Hattin, a cousin, who had spent some time in Washington County in the fall of 1812. He had become very intimate with Uncle and discovering his taste for oratory, sent these volumes to him several weeks after. Curran was an advocate on the side of liberty in the great trial in England in the days of Clarkson, Pitt and Wilberforce which ultimately resulted in the grand Declaration that no slave should be henceforth breathe on English soil. Curran was so masterly brilliant in his speech on that occasion that is almost fired Uncle with enthusiasm when he first read it, which he has never allowed to cool off entirely. This feeling began to brighten up as the abolition question was agitated in America. Hence, he became a staunch advocate for the liberty of the slave, and has lived to see his cause triumph, though at the expense of blood and treasure. One dear grandson was lost in the bloody strife, but his fourth son, whom he had named after Thomas Clarkson, was favored to return safe form the field of conflict. These last items may appear premature in point of time, but this seems to be the best place for them. Uncle never followed any other occupation than that of farming, at which he was economical and reasonably prosperous in all his undertakings. After remaining on his little farm about twenty years and improving it considerably - its peculiar locality forbidding any accessible additions to be made to it - and his growing family of nine children began to demand more room, he sold out to his brother Samuel and made a purchase of some land in the valley of Little Beaver, about two miles below Darlington, Beaver County, Pa. They moved there in the spring of 1831, and in process of time erected good buildings. The first was a sawmill on a small tributary of the Beaver, which assisted much in making improvements. Soon the children began to marry and scatter. They had not found the society as congenial as they had hoped to, and consequently they (the children) made no permanent home there, but came over to the western part of Columbiana County. Hence, the parents sold out and moved to a small farm in Knox Township after having resided on the Beaver farm upwards of twenty years with reasonable success. They had not been there many years until their son-in-law, Waker Cobbs, of Smith Township, now Mahoning County, having good buildings on it. They resided there several years with much comfort and satisfaction. Their children all being married and settled to themselves, they concluded, after having kept house about sixty years, to dissolve and retire with their eldest son, Benjamin, who had settled in Richland County many years before and was well situated to receive and entertain them. I am now at a loss for exact dates, but I believe they had not been there quite two years until Aunt was called away. I do not remember the nature of her disease. She had passed a long life with remarkably good health, although never among the most robust and vigorous. She passed away with but little suffering on the 18th of the 2nd month, 1871, in the 83rd year of her age, after having been sick only a few days. They had lived together 61 years, five months, and days, in which time there were born to them 11 children - five sons and six daughters, all of whom are yet living so far as I know. I record this as a rather remarkable circumstance in life. A few days after Aunt’s death her daughter-in-law, with whom they had been residing, was attacked with an illness that soon proved fatal. Thus the father and son were left very lonely. Being a woman of rare business qualifications, she was much missed by all of her relatives. The father came back and made his home with his second daughter, Hannah Cobbs, as she was well fixed to accommodate him in his declining years. He was comfortably situated and mostly able to visit his friends. Thus, time passed for over two years. The spring election occurring on his 86th birthday, he attended it, after which he started on a visit among his children. About two days afterwards he was taken ill at the home of his youngest son Jonathan. The disease soon developed into a violent erysipelas which defied all efforts to arrest it. His sufferings were not very intense, and he retained his mind reasonably composed until the last. He passed from this life on the 16th of the 4th month, 1873 at the age of 86 years and nine days. The brothers had brought their mother’s body from the west a few months before and interred it in the cemetery at their Meeting House. The father’s funeral was largely and solemnly attended. The children were all present except two daughters who were in Michigan. Thus I have brought the history of Uncle and Aunt to a close, not having time to speak of those that are living. True, I have so indulged in former pages, where the families were much scattered, but I find to carry that out with large families would swell the volume too much, and probably not be satisfactory to all. The Appendix will contain a record of this family. Chapter 37 History of Phebe and David Morris Phebe Morris, the youngest daughter of the first set of Isaac Morris’ children, was reared on the farm from early childhood by her older sister (my mother) until near the time of her marriage, which occurred in the latter part of the year 1809. She married a man from Bucks County, Pa., named Jesse Bryan, with whom she lived on a rented farm in Fayette County near a year, then went west, where they lived several years, when he deceased. I believe after a time she married his older brother Joseph. Shortly after marriage they made a visit to the west and extended it to us in Ohio, of which I have spoken previously. This visit was made in the summer of 1818, after which, tradition says, a daughter was born to them. She lived to be nearly a woman, and deceased, the parents having been dead for some time. David Morris was the youngest child of Isaac Morris’ first wife’s children. He has been frequently noticed in former pages, but now I can not find any record of his latter days, and hence will have to write mostly from memory. I believe he made his home at his father’s until the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1817. His wife’s name was Sarah Regester, a member of a creditable family living about two miles west of his father’s. They settled on the east wing of his father’s large tract of land which had been improved and occupied by tenants for many years. In process of time, by industry and economy they improved and erected substantial buildings on it, in which they enjoyed life with reasonable prosperity for nearly twenty years. They, like his brother Jonathan, saw their family increasing too much for their territory; hence, concluded to sell out and go where they could get more land for less money. With this object in view they purchased in Harrison County, Virginia. Previous to their removal they made a visit to us in Ohio, Aunt having many relatives here. This was the last time we saw them, as they did not live long after moving there. Tradition says the children are now also dead, and that only a few grandchildren are yet living to bear the name. Very different indeed had been the destiny of the two brothers. Both set out in early years to live on small farms - the bequest of their parents - and both sought to enlarge their territory by emigrating. One succeeded and enjoyed life to a good old age, with all their children yet living, while in the other family the parents and children all have been called away. Such are the liabilities of this life. Chapter 38 The Samuel Morris Family Samuel Morris, the oldest of Isaac Morris’ second wife’s children, made his home at his father’s until near the close of his 22nd year, when he was married to Jennie Sturgeon on the 2nd of the 10th month, 1817. They settled on a small farm east of his father’s on which they lived and prospered in his business of farming for nearly twelve years, when she was called away by death. To them four children were born - all daughters - whom I shall notice again. They being too young to take charge of the house, he hired a housekeeper, and thus kept them together until his second marriage, which occurred about 22 months afterwards. I do not remember his wife’s name. In about a year twin sons were born to them. They lived and prospered. The mother was called away from them when they were about nine months old. He (Uncle) remained single about nine months and then married Elizabeth Hartley, the eldest daughter of Roger Hartley, who lived near by. He lived with her 27 years, when he deceased. To them were born six children, of whom I shall speak hereafter. He lived on the farm on which they first settled until the spring of 1831, when he sold out and bought the farm that his brother Jonathan had lived on from the first settling. He (Jonathan) moved that spring to Beaver County, as before stated. They had more room in their new abode for their increasing family, and farming being his main occupation, they had a very convenient place for their purpose. Their children were married and settled to themselves as they became of age. The infirmities of age beginning to advance upon the parents, they concluded to leave the farm to the occupancy of a son who was married and had been living with them for several years. They retired to the town of Centerville near the residence of the oldest daughter. I believe they were not there over a year when the father was attacked with a severe pleuratic affliction which defied all medical treatment. He suffered very much for several days before the close. Although much afflicted, he expressed an entire resignation to the Divine will as he felt that his work had been well done. He departed this life on the 8th of the 1st month, 1871. He was much missed by relatives, friends and neighbors, among whom he had lived so long. None of them (who were as little interested) felt the bereavement more than myself, as he and I had been very intimate friends from early boyhood. Although I feel a delicacy in saying much about those that are living, yet from respect of the parents I can not forbear giving a short account of their children. They are now widely scattered and I am much deficient for exact dates. Amelia, the eldest, married Amos Cleaver. They settled on a small patrimony east of Centerville, but not being prosperous there, they evacuated it in process of time and now have a larger possession west of Centerville. He devotes much time to raising sheep, and as they whiten on the hillsides, Amos may be styled the patriarch of the neighborhood. I have no record of the number and present locality of their children, but presume they are all doing well. Mary, the second daughter, married James Baker, a relative of Aunt Sophia Morris, near whom they resided for a short time, in Beaver County, and then moved to Smith Township, Mahoning County, Ohio. They lived on the farm with their cousin, William Johnston. After accumulating sufficient means to procure a home of their own, they purchased 80 acres of partially improved land in the west side of Hanover Township, on which they resided prosperously for about twelve years. Finding that their increasing family demanded more territory, they sold out and made a larger purchase in Hillsdale County, Michigan, where they are said to be doing well. Eliza Jane, the third daughter, married Samuel Griffith, a son of Israel and Letitia Griffith, whom I have noticed before. They settled near his father’s in Pike Run settlement. After living together about six years he deceased, leaving three children, all daughters. They remained there several years and then moved to Centerville. After several years they moved from there to Salem in 1860. They bought a house in the eastern part of the town and commenced keeping a private boarding house, at which they have been reasonably prosperous. One of their daughters married (a few years ago) Martin Butes. They live in the town where he is engaged in creditable business. The other two are yet single. One of them has a pleasant situation as a clerk in a store nearby; the other is an assistant school teacher. They both reside with their mother. She is a respectable member of the Society of Friends and a zealous worker in the temperance cause. Elizabeth, the fourth daughter, married Levi Baker, a son of Nathan and Abigail Baker, formerly of Washington County, Pa., but then living near New Garden. Abigail Baker was the daughter of Levi and Nancy Coffin Ruble, who lived near the Westland Meeting, Washington County, Pa. They settled about a mile northwest of his father’s, but had not been there three years until he deceased, leaving two daughters. Soon afterwards the mother retired to Washingtonville and bought a house and commenced the millinery business, which she followed for several years with reasonable success. She was solicited to engage in marriage, which, after testing two years, proved unfavorable. She withdrew and adopted measures to obtain a release which was granted. After separation she plied her needle very diligently in various localities until her daughters were respectably married. She was with her father during his last illness and remained there some time after his death. About three years ago she was solicited to go to Philadelphia with a man and his wife who were on a sojourn to Washington County to improve the latter’s health. The offered her good wages and agreed to pay the traveling expenses. She accepted the offer and now has a good home there. I know but little of the twin sons, Isaac and Jonathan by name. Isaac died when nearly a man. Jonathan went west soon after he became of age, but I do not even know where he is. Sarah, the oldest of the third wife’s children, was married in 1855 to Charles O’Hara. They have been residing for many years past on a small tract of land not far from her father’s, on which they raise small fruits for the market, and I believe have made a good living at it. They reared but one child, who is now a very promising young man. His name is Franklin. The mother’s health is not very good at present writing. Ellis H. Morris, the oldest son of the third wife’s children, was put to the carpenter trade and came home a good workman. In the early part of the year 185 he was married to my daughter, Sarah Ann. He bought a house in Salem where they settled, and he engaged in the house carpentering business. About the close of the war he was induced to go to Nashville, Tennessee, to make patterns for the Government works. He was there the greater part of two seasons. In 1867 his wife died after the birth of her third child. He not being fixed to keep house, he took the children to his father’s, as his wife’s mother had been dead nearly two years. It so occurred that a friend of his father’s named William Hancock made arrangements to take the baby. It being a daughter, the girls of his family were much pleased. It got along well and was a bright child. When nearly four years old it was taken with diphtheria and deceased, much to the regret of the kind family who had adopted it. William Hancock and his wife Sabina lived near Westland Meeting, Washington County, Pa. Ellis still abode in Salem with his sister Eliza Jane. He had a situation as a pattern maker in the machine shop there. In the fall of 1872 he married Mary Phippis of Brownsville. The next spring they settled in Canton, it being a better place for pattern making, at which he got a situation in the largest agricultural works in the place. He recently built a good house and now has his two children with him. Their names are Mary Ellen and Ambrose. They are very promising. Oliver, the second son of the third wife’s children, married Julia Vangilder. They settled on the farm with his father and remained there until going south. Hannah, the second daughter, married William V. Vernons. They settled and still reside in Wirt County, West Virginia. I do not have the exact dates of their marriages, and therefore have to omit them. Anna, the youngest daughter, was the last of the children to marry. She had a very pleasant situation for many years as an assistant in her cousin’s store in Centerville. This practice rendered her a very pleasant correspondent. I am much indebted to her for assistance in compiling this work. In 1873, I think, she was married to John Williams, a widower having several children. John Williams’ first wife was Nancy Gillis. They are living on a farm west of Centerville. It is said that she has a kind companion and a very pleasant home. Eli, the youngest, remained with his father until the spring of 1866, when he went to Michigan, where his brother- in-law, James Baker, resides. He was engaged there for several years in the milling business. Relinquishing that, he returned and married Elizabeth McDonnal. Two years after their father’s death Eli and Oliver, with their mother, settled near their sister Hannah in Wirt County, West Virginia, where they still reside, though much isolated from their relatives and former friends. Chapter 39 History of Isaac Morris Isaac Morris, the second brother of the second wife’s children, was more of a wild turn than any of his brothers, yet very kind and benevolent. About a year before he became of age he went to learn the tanning trade, after which he returned to his father’s and commenced to improve a lot of ground on his farm for a tannery, there being convenient water for that purpose. As near as I can remember he married Elizabeth Utzaler in the autumn of 1818. He built a frame house on the lot to live in, improved his tannery and carried on that branch of business on a moderate scale for about ten years, when he concluded to engage in the coal business; i.e., to mine and boat coal down the Ohio. This was then considered a good business, and there being a seven-foot vein on his father’s farm induced him to so engage. On his second voyage, I believe, about two hundred miles down the Ohio, one of their boats struck a snag. Their exertions to save its small cargo of flour too great for Isaac. He was taken with a pleuratic affliction which was fatal after a few days. His death occurring on the 31st of the 12th month, 1830. He was buried by the kind hands on the Kentucky shore. The widow and her two children, a daughter and son, aged respectively 10 and 12, remained on or near the homestead until the children were grown, when they emigrated to the west. The last account I had of them the mother was living with her son Lewis at Havre de Grace, Indiana. Mariah, the daughter, died in Illinois, leaving several children. Her husband, Henry Wise by name, is still living. Chapter 40 History of Hannah Morris Hannah Morris, the oldest daughter of the second wife’s children, made her home with her parents until her 23rd year, when she was married to Jonathan Binns, a member of a very respectably family, recently from England (1818). They were married in 1822. Jonathan Binns was the son of Samuel and Hannah Green Binns. They settled and resided for several years on a rented farm a few miles from her father’s. But farming not proving congenial to his taste, he abandoned it and moved to Brownsville and opened a bakery and restaurant. In these employments they made a comfortable living for many years. Finding in course of time that their increasing family demanded an outlet, they concluded to seek more territory in the west as many of her brothers and sisters had done. They had lost their first born, a son, Oliver by name, when about seven years old. They had five sons and four daughters still remaining. In 1855 they emigrated to Page County, Iowa, and settled on a purchase of cheap land. Being isolated from their relatives, little has been heard from them except by correspondence, which has been very limited. I recently received the following items from correspondence: Jonathan Binns died on the 26th of the 2nd month 1868. His widow is in feeble health. Henry, Isaac, George and Margaret are married, and Elizabeth, Robert, Rebecca and Mary are yet single. Charles died in 1864 while in the army. Later another says: Hannah died on her 77th birthday, the 29th of the 12th month, 1875. Aunt Hannah was one whom I always respected. Being only a few months older than I, we were much associated in early days. Chapter 41 History of Lewis Morris Lewis Morris, the third brother of the second wife’s children, manifested more of a literary talent then many of his brothers. He had a great desire for studying grammar, which then had not been unfolded in our common schools. He made a sojourn with us in Ohio one spring, where he obtained a respectable class to instruct us in that branch. But not finding it very renumerative, he gave it up. On the 25th of 5th month, 1826, he was married to Susan Jones, a daughter of Samuel and Ruth Jones of Brownsville. They first settled on a farm in Pike Run settlement about three miles from his father’s where they lived, I think, nearly eight years, he being engaged in farming. They sold out and went to Richmond, Indiana, where they bought a farm and lived on it many years. Again they sold out and moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, I believe about 1863. To them eight children were born; viz., Amanda, Ruth Anna, Henry Clay, Oliver C., Isaac B., Samuel and Elizabeth Edith and Sarah Jane. I shall notice the children again. In a few years the parents built a good house in the eastern part of the town, very suitable for retirement. The father did not enjoy it only until the early part of 1869, when his health began to decline very rapidly with a pulmonary disease that terminated fatally on the 21st of the 6th month, 1869. He was much missed by all who knew him. He died when in the 69th year of his age. I do not have the dates of the births or marriages of their children. Amanda, the eldest, married Levi Taylor, the oldest son of Samuel Taylor, after which they settled about a mile east of Oskaloosa. Levi died on the 25th of 3rd month, 1869. They had but one child, Emma by name, who was about five years old when her father died. A few years since she made a general visit to her relatives in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Finding her health beginning to decline and her daughter also not being robust, they concluded to go to California. I received an interesting letter from her, dated 26th of the 2nd month, 1876, stating that they enjoyed a comfortable improvement and are well pleased. Sarah Jane died in 1848. Ruth Anna, I think, was married before Amanda. Her husband’s name is Brown, formerly from the east. They settled and still reside in Fayette County, Iowa. Henry Clay, I know but little about. Some six years ago he was in business in a town in eastern Iowa. Oliver C. deceased in 1865. Isaac B. was in good business in Oskaloosa at last accounts. Samuel deceased in 1867. The mother and Elizabeth Edith still remain on the homestead at Oskaloosa. Chapter 42 History of Mordecai Morris Mordecai Morris, the fourth brother of the second wife’s children, remained at home until his marriage, which occurred on the 12th of the 3rd month, 1824. His wife’s name was Mary Howell, a very respectable young woman who had been residing in the neighborhood for several yours. I know nothing of her parentage. After marriage they resided near by while he worked on his father’s farm, having been managing it for some time before. I believe in the spring of 1831 they moved on the farm, two years after which his father deceased. In settling up the estate Mordecai bought the farm, his other brothers and sisters having all abandoned it several years previous. His mother made home with them while they lived there, and enjoyed life reasonably well. I do not have the dates of the births of their children, who were only three in number; viz., Rebecca Jane, Sophia and Charles. They remained on the farm about fourteen years when, by being somewhat embarrassed yet from the purchase, concluded to sell out and buy a cheaper farm. Accordingly, he purchased in Tyler County, West Virginia, where the parents and two of the children now reside. In the latter part of the summer on 1875, I, in company of some cousins, paid them a visit. They were pleased to receive us, being so much isolated from many of their relatives. They were also much secluded from the society they formerly enjoyed. We found them comfortably fixed, though Uncle and Aunt were more marked with age than I expected, not having seen them for more than thirty years. In younger life, they being several years younger than I, I had not called them Uncle and Aunt, but seeing them so frail, I now use that title. Uncle was almost the personage of his father 50 years ago except that he was a little taller and not quite as corpulent. He and I were very intimate in our early days; hence, it was pleasing for us to enjoy each other’s society for several days when thus advanced in age. Their land was better adapted to raising sheep and fruit than grain; hence, they devoted their time to the two former occupations. Rebecca Jane, their oldest daughter, married a man named Lytton in 1842, by whom she had two children. She died many years ago, after which the father and children went west, where he is now married again. Sophia, the second daughter, married Joshua R. Martin in 1849, with whom she lived on a farm near that of her father’s, the buildings being in full view of each other’s. They have ten living children and one dead. Among them are twin sons, now about eleven years of age. Charles married Sarah McCormick in 1867, and they had three small children. They live in a house with his parents, or rather the parents with them. He attends to the farm, as his father and mother are too infirm to do much work. Chapter 43 History of Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris, the second sister of the second wife’s children, resided with her parents until about the middle of her 25th year, when she was married to Samuel Taylor on the 14th of the 12th month, 1828. She was his second wife. By his first he had two sons, who were then partly grown. They both had homes, where they resided until they were men. The first year or two after marriage Samuel kept a store in Centerville, but ultimately disposed of it and bought a farm a little over a mile north of town, on which they resided more than thirty years. This farm was later known as the Mahlon Linton farm. It was a very pleasant farm for raising either grain or stock. I believe they devoted their attention to the latter, particularly sheep. Samuel had a brother Joseph living in Stark County, about twenty- five miles west of us. Many years ago he and Aunt (his wife) used to make occasional visits to see his brother, and then stay overnight with us. I yet look back to these occasions with pleasing recollections. When Mordecai Morris left the old homestead, his aged mother retired with her daughter, Rebecca Taylor. She was with them something more than a year. Several months before her death she fractured a hip by a fall, which caused her much suffering until the close, although the kindest attention was bestowed upon her. She departed this life on the 7th of the 11th month, 1847, at the age of 82 years, 6 months and 5 days. She had always lived a very consistant member of the Society of Friends, and generally made it a point to attend meeting, the meeting house being very convenient (Westland). By her prudent example, she was favored to see her children all walking in the paths of rectituded and strict morality. Samuel Taylor died on the 3rd of the 4th month, 1866, when within 11 days of being 73 years old. Soon after this I believe the homestead was discontinued. The mother and children located in Centerville, where I visited them in 1869, but not anticipating this work then, I did not go into particular inquiry. I am not in possession of any record of the marriages or locations of the children, neither have I have seen any of them for nearly seven years; hence, I will pass them without going into detail, hoping they are all striving to do the right and are a comfort to their aged mother, who is now the only living sister of the once large Morris family. I shall give a record of the births of the children in the appendix. Chapter 44 History of Oliver and Elizabeth Morris Oliver C. Morris, youngest son of Isaac Morris’ second wife, manifested in early life a strong desire for the acquisition of mathematical attainments. Having only an ordinary education, he had to work his way up the best he could. When about sixteen, the National Road was being constructed near by his father’s farm. This gave his aspiring mind a taste for civil engineering, in which he was much assisted by Jonathan Knight, who lived near his father’s and was then becoming much distinguished as an engineer. Jonathan Knight was buried at Westland in 1858. He was at least fifteen years older than Oliver. They jointly got along in their profession without the aid of a college course. Knight was commissioned by the Government to locate the National Road from Wheeling westward. Oliver was his assistant in its last process of passing through northern Missouri to Jefferson City. This was his first tour in the engineering business. In 1827 he was employed by the Government to survey for public works in the State of Indiana. The two years following he was similarly engaged in various localities. In 1830 he built a stone house on the river valley near one corner of his father’s farm, upon the completion of which he married a woman whose acquaintance he had formed while in the east, having to pass the winters in Washington City making out reports, while in the Government service. The above mentioned house still stands at Maple Glen, Centerville borough, Washington County, Pa. His wife, named Mary Smith, resided near Baltimore. At what date they were married I do now know; neither do I know anything of her parentage. Tradition says she was a very talented woman, and they lived together very agreeably. They had but one child, who deceased shortly before its father. Several of his last years were spent as first assistance engineer under J. Knight, who was then chief engineer for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In the winter of 1837-38 he was at home a brief period, during which he received a bodily injury by breaking down of a scaffold. It was not considered a very dangerous injury, and having an urgent call in the east, he started out rather prematurely and was taken ill on the way, but eventually got through and notified his wife of his illness. She repaired there immediately and was favored to be with him some time, but all medical aid failed, and he departed this life on the 14th of the 4th month, 1838. The following appeared in the Baltimore American soon after his decease: Died in this city on the 14th inst., Oliver C. Morris of Washington County, Pa., in the 33rd year of his age. Mr. Morris has been an assistant engineer in a respectable situation in the service of the B. & O. R.R. Co. for several years past with eminent credit and usefulness. His innate love of Knowledge led him to the self-taught acquisition of a fund of information beyond the sphere of his profession, which, in conjunction with the excellent qualities of his heart, rendered his society equally instructive and agreeable, and secured him a warm respect and attachment, more especially of those with whom he was professionally associated and who now unite in this tribute to the memory of the companion and friend whose death they deplore. Among his papers was found a genealogical trace of his father’s family back to their immigration from Wales. I did not have access to it until recently, but I shall notice it in the appendix. Soon after his death the widow retired to the east and in process of time was married to a man named Pierce, to whom she had but one child, a son named William Charles. The mother has been dead 20 years. I never saw Oliver or his wife after they were married, but I always admired his talent. Elizabeth, the youngest of the 14 children, who lived to be grown, was married about the close of her eighteenth year to Robert Roger, a member of a very respectable family living near by. She died in about a year afterwards, leaving no children. Robert married again and has raised a respectable family.