Morris, James F. 1854-1936 & Elizabeth Foss Family

MORRIS, FOSS, FINDLEY, QUACKENBUSH

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/31/2022 at 08:10:34

Morris, James F. “Jimmy” 1854-1936 & Elizabeth Foss Family

This story was taken from page 346 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg.

Born in Black Hawk Co. in 1854, James F. Morris later moved with his parents to Sioux Co. They settled the SW Quarter of Sec. #17 in Reading Twp. in 1881 and later purchased the SE quarter as well (the current Lloyd Simons farm).

Shortly after settling there, Morris was stricken with typhoid fever, which he survived; about the time of his recovery, his neighbors were struggling with the dreaded smallpox disease. Fortunately, Mr. Morris had earlier been through the ordeal of having smallpox and having conquered it, had immunity to it. Because of that, he was able to respond to many “emergency calls” from others. He administered to the burial needs of many victims and did fumigating on many contaminated premises. He was an eager and much needed helper at a critical time.

Mr. Morris served three terms in the Iowa Legislature, being elected to the 30th, 31st and 32nd General Assemblies.
He moved to Calif. In 1908, settling at Riverside. Always noted as a pioneer in many fields, he was using solar energy in his home in Riverside as early as 1920.

Note: It appears James was born at Princeville, Peioria, Ill not Black Hawk IA.

RESEARCH NOTES: The sources for research often come from reports put on ancestry.com by others and not verified by the submitter. Often there can be conflicting information regarding spelling of names, dates and places from one source to another.

Find A Grave lists James Findley Morris born 23 Oct 1854 Illinois died 6 May 1936 Pasadena, Los Angeles CA Wife Elizabeth Adelia Morris with one child listed as Harry Foss Morris.

From a family report on ancestry.com (done by others) lists

James Findley Morris born 23 oct 1854 at Princeville, Peoria Illinois died 6 May 1936 Pasadena CA. His parents were Absolom Morris 1799-1880 and Mary Jane Findley 1818-1897. He married 1 Jan 1879 at La Porte City, Black Hawk County Iowa to Elizabeth Adelia ‘Lizzie’ Quackenbush Foss

Elizabeth Adelia ‘Lizzie’ Quackenbush Foss was born Nov 1857 at Black Hawk County Iowa and died 8 Sep 1927 Pasadena Los Angeles CA. She was the daughter of Bradley Varnum Webster Foss 1824-1904 and Catherine Wolf Quackenbush 1826-1908.

CHILDREN listed in the ancestry report were: The mother’s maiden name was posted in each entry as Foss.
1. Louis Foss Morris born 29 Jan 1880 LaPorte City Black Hawk IA 1952. He married Olive B. Bartlett and one child listed was Harriet Eather Barlett Taylor 1917-1988
2. Harry Foss Morris born 3 Jul 1881 Ireton Iowa – 10 Oct 1958 Tulare CA. Wife was Elsie Edith Bailey Morris. Children listed Charles Gordon Glenn, Robert Bailey Glenn. First married to Charles Alfred Glenn.
3. Frank Foss Morris born 6 Nov 1883 Iowa - He marrien Elsie Carpenter at Ireton Sep 7, 1910 Died Aug 1948 in a boating accident, no children reported in his obit of Alton Democrat of Aug 19, 1948
4. Bessie Mea Foss Morris born 16 Feb 1885 Ireton, Iowa – died 1941 No further information found.
5. Erma Zella Foss Morris born 16 Jul 1889 Reading Tsp Sioux County IA She married Robert Broadway Fouke Jump 1889-1960. Child listed – Dorothe Mildred Morris Jump 1911-1956
6. Robin “Rob’ Foss Morris born 8 May 1891 Ireton Iowa – 17 Feb 1976 Santa Barbara CA
7. Mary Jane Merna Foss Morris born 16 Aug 1897 Sioux county IA-1986. She married Jan Frank Wynkoop 1895-1959. Children listed were Betty E. Wynkoop 1920-2009 and James Frank Wynkoop 1925-2011

OBITIARY of J.F. Morris 1855-1936

Hawarden Independent, May 14, 1936
The many friends of J. F. Morris of Pasadena, CA, received a severe shock when his death was announced, having passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Myrna Wynkoop in Pasadena Wednesday morning, May (?)Mr. Morris had gotten up the same as usual that morning and eaten a breakfast, fed the chickens and his other chores. He then returned to the house and read the morning paper, his daughter, who did not feel well, went to bed after she had served breakfast and when she returned to the room where her father was she found him slumped over in a chair. A physician was hurriedly called but nothing could be done and in a little more than an hour Mr. Morris had passed on. Mr. Morris went through a serious illness and operation a few years ago and at different times he was in a serious condition only to rally and his reserve strength and will carried him through.

Only two days before his death, Mr. & Mrs. John Chenhall bade him good-bye as they were returning to Ireton and at that time he seemed to be in his usual health. Mrs. Morris preceded him in death a few years ago and her going left a vacancy which undoubtedly shortened his life as they were always so devoted to each other.

J. F. Morris was born in LaPorte, Black Hawk County, IA, in the fall of 1855. He came to Sioux County in 1881 and purchased a farm southeast of Ireton, now the M.O. Simmons farm. It was here that he reared his family and it was here that the Morris family stood out as real neighbors and an asset to the community. He was ever ready to help those needing it and he had words of cheer and courage for the discouraged. Mr. Morris was early a firm believer in progress on the farm, especially in furthering good stock, horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. His honesty, integrity and leadership was recognized and he received recognition in places of trust by his fellowmen. He held township offices, school board offices and to climax all these he was sent to the state legislature as the representative of Sioux County and was re-elected. In all these positions Mr. Morris was true to his trust, true to himself and he came back with every confidence of his fellowmen firmly established and fully honored because of his stability and uprightness.

After selling his farm, drawn by the sunny clime and beauty of California, having been preceded by near friends and neighbors, they moved to Pasadena where his home was been since. The years which Mr. Morris spent in California were not idly spent for there he loved and cared for his orchard, the flowers and poultry and these, with regards for his neighbors and friends, kept him active. He was always interested in the affairs of the community, county, state and nation and was outspoken in matters which he believed right and just as firm against what he thought was wrong.

He leaves two sons and daughters and grandchildren a legacy which should be highly prized. He is survived by four sons Louis & Harry in North Dakota; Frank of Sioux City, and Bob of Los Angeles, CA and three daughters, Bessie of Pomona, CA; Irma of San Diego, CA and Myrna of Pasadena.

OBITUARY and information on the mother of Elizabeth Foss Mrs. James Morris
From the Alton Democrat of Feb 21, 1903 Ireton News
Mrs. Catherine Foss died at the home of her daughter Mrs. J. F. Morris Wednesday aged seventy seven of general debility. Her son E. B. Foss and daughter Mrs. Salmon were at her bedside from LaPorte. (IA) Funeral services Friday.
(From the Cemetery Index Catherine Foss born 30 Mar 1826 died 18 Feb 1903, husband Bradley Foss born 29 Jul 1824 died 15 Jan 1904 both buried Ireton IA. His obit is in the Ireton Weekly Ledger of Jan 22, 1904. Bradley's first wife was Elizabeth Gray 1831-1854 They had one son Elwin B. Foss. Bradley then married Catherine Quackenbush daughter of Abram Quackenbush and Delaney Wolf, they had three children Elizabeth 1857, Emma 1859 and Marvin 1864.)

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