Charles F. Morris (1843-1918)

MORRIS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/7/2023 at 14:43:44

Charles F. Morris
(September 28, 1843 – February 8, 1918)

Charles F. Morris, a blacksmith and machinist residing in Pomeroy, was born in Palos, St. Lawrence County, New York, September 28, 1844. His father, James H. Morris, was also a native of the Empire State, but the mother, who bore the maiden name of Laura Farnsworth, was a native of Vermont. After their marriage the parents always resided in New York, and unto them were born seven children, namely: Mary, Andrew J. and James, all deceased; Charles F., of this review; Mary, who was the second of the name and has passed away: Alvin, deceased; and Susan, the wife of James Thomas, of New Jersey. The parents are both deceased. At the time of the Civil war the father enlisted at Potsdam, New York, in the Ninety-second Regiment, and was sent to Fortress Monroe, Virginia. In one of the engagements near that place he was killed or wounded and no news was afterward received from him, so that if he was not killed outright, he probably died soon afterward from his injuries. The mother departed this life in New York. In the public schools of his native state Charles F. Morris pursued his education, attending school during the winter season, while the work of the farm occupied his attention in the summer months. After the Civil war was inaugurated he ran away from home and with his two brothers, Andrew and James, he enlisted in his country's service, joining Company D, of the First New York Light Artillery, under Captain Kieffer, on the 22d of August, 1861. The regiment was formed and organized at Elmira, New York, and was commanded by Colonel Wainwright. It was attached to the Army of the Potomac and made a part of the Third Army Corps. Mr. Morris participated in forty-two general engagements, including the battles of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing, the second battle of Bull Run, and the memorable engagement at Gettysburg where he was standing by the side of General Sickles when that commander was shot, he also took part in a number of engagements when the Confederates were retreating to Richmond and was in the battle of Manassas, in fact, he was in every general engagement with the Army of the Potomac and was wounded at Seven Pines. True to duty he never wavered in the performance of any task allotted to him whether it called him into the thickest of the fight or led him to lonely patrol service. On the 6th of September 1864 he received an honorable discharge and with a creditable military record returned to his home. Mr. Morris then resided for a time with an uncle in Herman, New York, and was employed in a creamery and cheese factory at Gouverneur, New York, for one year. In 1867 he purchased a farm in St. Lawrence County, near Canton, in connection with his brother James, and the business association was maintained between them until the latter part of the year when our subject sold his interest to his brother. In the fall of 1868 he came west, taking up his abode in Clinton County, Iowa, where he rented a farm until 1869. In that year he went to the land office at Fort Dodge and entered a claim to a homestead farm on section 22, Butler Township, Calhoun County. Returning to Clinton County, however, he there continued agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1871 when he removed with his family to this county, settling upon the homestead which he continued to cultivate and improve until 1890. In that year he sold his farm property and removed to Pomeroy. The following year he opened a blacksmith, machine and repair shop and has since continued in business, gaining a liberal pair, mage because of his expert workmanship.
On the 28th of September, 1868, Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Alvira Willard, of Herman, New York. They became the parents of two children, Charles I., who is a telegraph operator in Straubville, North Dakota, and Cora E., deceased. The wife and mother died January 4, 1878, and on the 25th of March. 1882, Mr. Morris was again married, his second union being with Ellen C. Popple, a native of the Empire state, where their marriage was celebrated. The children born of this union are: Lorenzo, who died in infancy; Hazel, who died at the age of three years; Cleason C.; Walter A.; and Frank V., who are with their parents. Mr. Morris is a member of the Grand Army Post at Pomeroy. In religious faith he is a Methodist and in politics has been a stalwart Republican since be cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has served as school director and as road supervisor and at all times has been loyal to his duties of citizenship, being as true to his country today as when he wore the blue uniform of the nation and followed the stars and stripes upon southern battlefields. Because his life has been straightforward and trustworthy, he enjoys the esteem and regard of his fellow men and is counted one of the representative citizens of Pomeroy. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.496]