Biographical Sketch of Roland S. MORRIS (b. 1874); Philadelphia Co., PA Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Diana Smith [christillavalley@comcast.net] Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* "Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years" Publisher: S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912. Vol. 4, page 270 Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer ROLAND S. MORRIS Active in the practice of law, in the management of financial interests and in the promotion of charitable work. Roland S. Morris is well known as a representative of one of the oldest Philadelphia families, although born in Olympia, Washington, on the 11th of March, 1874. His father, Thomas B. Morris, a native of this city, died November 8, 1885, at the age of forty-three years, leaving Roland S. Morris as the oldest representative of the family in Philadelphia. He is a direct descendant of Anthony Morris, who, together with Logan and Shippen, assisted Penn in the establishment of the city and became second mayor of Philadelphia. Another of the ancestors of a later generation was Captain Samuel Morris, who organized and led the Philadelphia City Troup during the Revolution. The professional training of Roland S. Morris was received in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1899, having already completed the classical course in that institution in 1896. For eleven years he was closely associated with the Philadelphia bar and is now a member of the firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher. While he entered practice in competition with many men long and well established in the profession, his record is another proof of that fact that ability will win recognition anywhere, for gradually he has worked his way upward, the records indicating his active connection with much important litigation. Moreover, he is a director of a number of corporations, including the Philadelphia Contribution Ship, the oldest and richest fire insurance company in the United States. His interests are of a cosmopolitan character, for he is recognized as a leader in political circles a promoter of charitable and church work and a prominent club man. He has labored earnestly and effectively in support of democracy in Philadelphia and the state since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been active in the management of charitable institutions and is a director and secretary of the Philadelphia City Mission and a vestryman of Old St. Stephen's church. Moreover, he is a welcome visitor to the club rooms of various prominent club organizations, in which he holds membership, including the Philadelphia, Racquet, University and Barge Clubs. He is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, president of the Democratic Club and a member of the various bar associations. Mr. Morris was married in 1903 to Miss Augusta Shippen West, a granddaughter of the late Edward Shippen and they have two children. Mr. and Mrs. Morris hold membership in St. Stephen's Episcopal church and are prominent factors in the leading social circles of the city, both being representatives of old and honored pioneer families here. This file is located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/bios/history/morris-rs.txt