MORRISON, David

MORRISON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/30/2021 at 16:51:01

David Morrison
David Morrison, a farmer and stock-raiser of section 24, Blaine Township, Ida County, was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1830, a son of William and Margaret (Coventry) Morris, natives also of that place. The father, a mason by trade, left his native land in 1852, locating in De Kalb county, Illinois; Robert, of Kansas; and David, our subject. The parents of both died in De Kalb County.
David Morrison, the subject of this notice, was reared and educated in his native country, also worked at farm labor for £12 per year. In 1852 he came to the United States, locating first in New York, later in De Kalb County, Illinois, where he opened a farm, and in 1879, came to Ida County, Iowa. Mr. Morrison purchased 400 acres of raw prairie land, in 1889, and erected a good two-story dwelling, located on a natural building site, the main building being 16 x 24 feet, with an L, 12 x 18 feet. He now owns 320 acres of well-cultivated land, five acres of which is devoted to one of the finest plum orchards in the county, numbering some eighteen varieties. The farm is well watered by Odebolt creek, and he is making a specialty of fine-blooded cattle, keeping about thirty head. In his political views Mr. Morrison takes an active interest in the Republican party.
He was married in New York to Mary McNabb, a native of Perthshire, Scotland, and a daughter of John McNabb, also a native of that place. To this union have been born the following children, viz: William, of this township; Murray, wife of Michael Barclay, of Sac county, Iowa; John, at home, and who suffered the loss of an arm about nine years ago; and Mary, Stewart, Minta and Thomas, all of who died of diphtheria in 1866. Mr. Morrison is one of the oldest pioneers of Blaine township; was instrumental in securing the present location of Arthur, and has made what he has by his own industry and frugality, and has always taken an active interest in everything for the good of his township or county. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.509