My Genealogy Hound

JUDGE JOHN MORRISON. A long residence in a community gives to an individual a standing that can scarcely be secured otherwise, especially if he has made for himself an honorable record as a citizen. Doubtless no one in Randolph County is more widely known than Judge Morrison, who resides on township 6, range 5. He has witnessed the development of the county from a sparsely settled and uninviting tract of land to a community of thriving villages and fine farms, the abode of an intelligent and prosperous people. The Judge is of Irish birth, having been born near Londonderry, in 1822. His parents were James and Jane (Parkhill) Morrison, the former of whom came to America in an early day and died here. At the age of seventeen, John came to America to visit his maternal uncles, who resided in Virginia. He accompanied an uncle from the Old Dominion to Illinois and settled near Steeleville, where he still lives. He has but the kindest of words to say of the people who were here when he came and who were hospitable and generous, though their means were limited. For a number of years he worked at anything he could find to do, and for five years was employed on Captain Chaplin’s farm. He finally purchased property in township 6, range 5, where he has since resided. So long has he lived here that he is now considered one of the land marks. He expresses the highest gratitude to Col. Gabriel Jones, who bought the tract of one hundred and twenty acres the Judge still owns, and who had the deeds made out to the latter without his knowledge.

The first marriage of Judge Morrison united him with Miss Mahala, daughter of Archibald Steele, a pioneer of Randolph County. They became the parents of four sons and four daughters. Those living are, Matilda, who married William McCoy, a resident of Alma, Ill.; Jane, the widow of John L. Hart, and a resident of Steeleville; William A., who married Carrie Nolte, and lives near Rockwood; and Henry, who is yet single and is working in St. Louis. About 1864 Mrs. Mahala Morrison died, and the Judge remained a widower for many years. In 1876 he married Mrs. Lurana (Simons) Brown, a daughter of Edward and Eunice (Kelty) Simons. Four children have blessed this union: Charles E., Grace B., Carrie B., and Lawrence S., who are attending the home schools.

In religious connections, the Judge and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian Church, and he is serving as Elder. Socially, he is a member of Steeleville Lodge No. 497. Politically, he has always been a stanch Democrat, and upon the ticket of that party he has been elected to numerous local positions, including that of County Commissioner, in which he has served for a number of years. His life has been distinguished by rare energy, stability of character and prompt and systematic business habits, and he enjoys an enviable reputation as a man of firm principles and strict morality.