My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC MORRIS, who carries on agricultural pursuits in township 5, range 6, Randolph County, has spent his entire life upon the farm which is still his home, and which was his birth-place. He was born April 5, 1822, and comes of an English family, his grandparents, Samuel and Lucy (Stephens) Morris, having both been natives of England. Emigrating to America, the grandfather followed farming in South Carolina, where he became quite well-to-do.

William Morris, father of our subject, was born in Yorkshire, England, June 7, 1797, and there lived until 1789, when he crossed the Atlantic and spent the remainder of his boyhood in the Abbeyville District of South Carolina. He there married, but his wife died not long afterward. He removed to Preble County, Ohio, and thence came to Illinois in 1816, locating upon the old Morris homestead. He entered from the Government a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, built a log cabin and began life in true pioneer style. As the years passed, however, he became well-to-do, and had five hundred acres of land, which he willed to his sons. In the War of 1812, Mr. Morris served under General Harrison. In politics he was a Republican, and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He also belonged to the United Presbyterian Church. He was a very temperate man, never using tobacco or intoxicants, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His death occurred in 1873. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Newton, and was a native of Ireland. The marriage was celebrated in 1810, and she died in Randolph County in 1831. Ten children were born of their union: James, who died of cholera in 1832; Newton, Ephraim and William, all deceased; Lucy, widow of Joseph McNully; Elizabeth, deceased; Pauline, Sarah and Alice.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, Isaac Morris spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and the occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work. In 1843 he was united in marriage with Priscilla Colbert, a native of Randolph County, who died in February, 1848, leaving two children, one who died in early childhood, and Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirty years. In 1851 Mr. Morris was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Campbell, who was born in this county. They had seven children: Mary Jane, who died at the age of two years; Albert, now of Sparta; James, who died at the age of four months; Priscilla Ellen, wife of William A. Ennis, by whom she has four children, Mary E., Ora Ethel, Lydia Elizabeth and Hilda Ellen; Lydia Annetta, at home; Sidney Thomas, who died at the age of seventeen; and William Henry, who married Nellie Allen, by whom he has one child. He is now in a wholesale commission house in Omaha, Neb.

On attaining his majority, Mr. Morris started out in life for himself. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is regarded as one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of the community. He is a man of good business ability, and his success is due entirely to his own efforts. He votes with the Republican party. Both he and his wife hold membership with the United Presbyterian Church, and are people of sterling worth, who hold an enviable position in social circles.