MORRELL, Joseph Alexander - 1914

MORRELL, WEST, JACKSON, CLEAVES

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 04:15:13

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

JOSEPH ALEXANDER MORRELL.

Joseph Alexander Morrell, a prosperous grain dealer in Cherokee, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1857, and is a son of David and Sarah (West) Morrell, who left their native state of Pennsylvania in 1858 and came west to Henderson, Minnesota, where the father engaged in the realestate and fur business for four years. At the end of that time he moved to Winona, Minnesota, and conducted a profitable grain business there until his death, which occurred in 1886. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was well known in local affairs, serving as county treasurer of Clarion county, Pennsylvania. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious views were in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. He and his wife became the parents of five children: Elizabeth, who has passed away; Sarah, the wife of H. W. Jackson of Long Beach, California; Martha, of Winona, Minnesota; Joseph Alexander, twin to Martha and the subject of this review; and Lowrey, who has passed away.

Joseph Alexander Morrell acquired his education in the public schools of Winona and in that city began his independent career. He worked in a newspaper office for five years and then established himself in the grain business in which he has since continued. He remained in Winona until 1895 and then moved to Cherokee, where he now has a large patronage and is in control of a business which is constantly increasing in volume and importance.

In December, 1897, Mr. Morrell was united in marriage to Miss Nina Cleaves, a daughter of Dr. R. L. Geaves of Cherokee. Mr. and Mrs. Morrell had three children: Edward Cleaves; Joseph Alexander, Jr., deceased; and Ruth, at home

Mr. Morrell is connected fraternally with the United Commercial Travelers, is a trustee in the Congregational church and a democrat in his political beliefs. He is recognized as one of the leading business men of Cherokee and has fully justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by all who know him.