My Genealogy Hound

Robert S. Morris was born in Howard County, February 28, 1826, the son of Robert W. and Catharine (Small) Morris, who died when our subject was a child. The father came to this State in 1818, and settled in Old Franklin. He was known as Capt. Morris. The mother, second wife of R. W., was a native of Kentucky. Our subject, the only survivor of four children, went to New Orleans in 1838, and lived with his uncle, Joel Small. He was in the commission business, and became a competent book keeper. In 1844 he became clerk on a river steamer, and afterward captain. In 1849 he went to California, and came back in 1851. He joined the Confederate Army in 1861, and finally became one of Gen. Stein’s staff, with the rank of major. He was in the infantry, cavalry and artillery, being a lieutenant in the latter, and afterward commander of a battery, and surrendered at Shreveport, La., in June, 1865. He then became a traveling salesman for Pratt, Fox & Co., of St. Louis. Two years later he returned to the river as agent for “The White Collar Line,” but in 1870 came to his present home at Canton, and was engaged in civil engineering for a time, and afterward as a railroad agent. Since 1878 he has been a justice of the peace, and is also notary public. He is a real estate and fire and life insurance agent, representing among others the Masonic Life Association. October 23, 1851, he married Mary M., a daughter of Gen. T. D. Grant. Their only son is Willie M. Robert S. Morris is a radical Democrat. He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.