Ben C. Morris (1877-1937)

MORRIS, CAREY, LOWER, LAKIN, CHRISTIAN, COLVIN, MAYHEW

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/18/2013 at 13:03:36

From unknown newspaper January 1937

Funeral services for Ben C. Morris, 59, who died at his home Thursday evening, were held Monday afternoon at the Bishop funeral home with Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy of Central Presbyterian church in charge. Two songs were rendered by Mrs. J. L. Ruby with Mrs. F. W. Cowgill at the piano, interment was in the Nevada cemetery.

Ben C. Morris, the youngest son of James and Mary Carey Morris was born near Campus, Ill., on Sept 21, 1877, He spent his boyhood in the family home and attended the local schools remaining near Campus until after his own home was established. He was married on Dec. 21, 1898 to Miss Grace Lower with whom he has had a happy and contented family life. Seven children were both into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Morris. One son named Vern died in infancy and the six other children remain to comfort their mother in her sorrow.

Six years after their marriage, in 1904, the family moved from Illinois to Esmons, S. D. where they lived for about two years, returning to Livingstone county, Illinois, where they resided until the spring of 1914 when they came to Iowa. Since that time they have lived in or near Ames or Nevada. Mr. Morris had lived on a farm practically all his life retiring to a home in Nevada some three years ago because of failing health. He has been a resident of Story county for the last 23 years, excepting two years in Macon, Miss.

Farming was not only a vocation for Mr. Morris but it was an avocation as well. He found in the growing of crops and his livestock a satisfaction and an interest that superseded and necessity of livelihood. He was especially fond of his horses and took pleasure in their care and handling.

Greater than his interest in his farm was his interest in his neighbors and their children. He was especially happy when he could gather some of the neighbor children about him in company with the loved ones of his own family. he was a kind and loving father, always interested in the family welfare.

The father of Mr. Morris fulfilled the office of the ministry during the early days of the family life on the prairie. Ben was baptized in the Methodist church but had never taken upon himself the vows of church relationship. He encouraged his family in their religious interests and found for himself a satisfactory relationship to religious things.

Mr. Morris is survived by three of his sisters and one brother, they are: Mrs. Lydia Lakin, Sandwich, Ill., Mrs. Sadie Christian, Sheridan, Ill., Mrs. Hanna Lower, Iona, Mich., Seth I. Morris, Ames, and by his six children: Lila Morris Colvin, Rockford, Ill., Katherine M. Mayhew, Lancaster, Penn., Lewis Morris, Ames, Seth A. Morris, Ames, and Gerald Morris and Mary Gertrude Morris at home, and by his loving wife Grace Lower Morris. There are also ten grandchildren, five of whom are boys and five [girls.]