Morris, John W. (1853-1898)

MORRIS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 16:18:20

JOHN WESLEY MORRIS
(September 15, 1853 - December 31, 1898)

John Wesley Morris, of Palmyra, Iowa is one of the leading stock farmers of this section of the State. He was born September 15, 1853, in a little log cabin near the farm on which he now lives, he being among the first white children born in this vicinity. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Whipple) Morris, had eight children, and he is one of the four of that number who survive, the other three being: Mary, Samuel W., and Ruth A. John Morris, his father - “Uncle John” as he is known far and wide, - was born on the banks of the Potomac river, February 9, 1811, one of the two children of Thomas and Mary (Levick) Morris. Thomas Morris was a native of Delaware, born in the year 1780, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was killed during the fight at Washington. His wife lived to the advanced age of ninety years, dying in 1883, at the home of her son in Palmyra. The Morrises are of German origin and have been noted for their longevity and patriotism. Great-grandfather Morris was a soldier in the Revolution, serving all through that war and coming out with the rank of Sergeant. He died at Harper's Ferry at the extreme old age of 110 years. “Uncle John” Morris left Virginia in 1823 and came West as far as Parke county, Indiana, which was then on the frontier and inhabited chiefly by Indians, and there he lived until 1852, when he again sought a pioneer home further West, Warren county, Iowa, at this time being his objective point; and on the spot he then made settlement he has since maintained his home. This part of the country was then nearly all in its wild state, there being but one house between Mr. Morris's and Indianola. The log cabin he built on coming here served as his residence for several years, and it was long before the deer, turkeys, and prairie chickens disappeared from this vicinity. With the passing years marvelous changes have been wrought, and Mr. Morris has not only been an eyewitness to this development, but also has done his part toward bringing it about. Today there is not a finer or better agricultural region in Warren county than the one in which the Morrises live. During his early life in Indiana John Morris was for years engaged in flatboating on the Wabash river. While there and thus occupied he was married, March 28, 1839, to Miss Elizabeth Whipple, a native of Butler county, Ohio, and a descendant of one of the early New England families. She was born in 1818 and died July 22, 1888. Mr. Morris is now eighty-four years old, is hale and hearty, and seemingly takes the same interest in public affairs that he did years ago. He is spending the evening of life on the old farm where he has lived and labored so long, and is happy in the society of his children and hosts of friends. For sixty-five years he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Wesley Morris grew up amid the trying scenes incident to life on the frontier and received his education in the primitive log school-house of the neighborhood. When only seventeen he started out in life on his own responsibility, not, however, leaving home, but instead renting the home place, and for seven years thereafter having charge of it. He was married September 21, 1873, to Miss Laura E. Bartholomew, daughter of George M. and Mary (Flesher) Bartholomew, of Palmyra. Honorable mention of the Bartholomew family will be found on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have two sons: Claud M., a merchant of Palmyra; and Joseph A., at home. In 1875 Mr. Morris moved to his present farm, which he had purchased some time before and which adjoins the old homestead. By subsequent purchases he has added to his original tract until now his magnificent farm comprises 880 acres, all in one body, watered by South river which runs through it. It is well adapted and utilized both for farming and grazing; and besides the river water it is supplied with twelve wells, and these together with its numerous shade trees form an ideal place for the best care of his fine stock. The same year he moved to this farm he became largely interested in the cattle business, has ever since given to it considerable attention and has most of the time kept an average of from 200 to 250 head. At this writing he keeps twenty head of work horses, and now cultivates about 220 acres in corn. He has a large barn, 100x53 feet in dimensions, extensive cattle, sheds, ice house, and everything conveniently arranged for carrying on his business in the most approved manner. His residence, built in 1892, is as regards style convenience and furnishings a credit to the county. From his back door a fine view of nearly the whole of his broad acres is obtained. As a broad-gauge, public-spirited, and popular young man, John Wesley Morris has few equals in southern Iowa. In politics he is a strong and steadfast Republican, and fraternally he is associated with the A. O. U. W. and College Camp of the Modern Woodmen. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.80