My Genealogy Hound

JOHN WALLACE MORRISON, merchant, Pittsburgh, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 15, 1841, a son of John and Hannah (Wallace) Morrison, both of whom were born near Londonderry, Ireland, the latter of whom is a daughter of John Wallace, of Scotland, and a lineal descendant of Sir William Wallace; she now resides at Philadelphia, in her eighty-eighth year. The father of our subject came to America in or about 1837, and resided at Philadelphia until his death, which occurred in 1875, when he was eighty years of age. Mr. Morrison had three brothers and five sisters, he being the seventh child. He was educated at the public schools of Philadelphia, and at the age of thirteen began clerking in a country store in Mercer county, Pa., and after one year came to Pittsburgh and entered as errand boy in the store of which he is now proprietor. In August, 1861, he and two brothers enlisted in the 100th (Roundheads) P. V. I., served till the close of the war, and was commissioned second lieutenant (see history of the regiment on page 442). At the close of the war he returned to work in the store, and in 1866 bought out the proprietor, continuing in the business ever since. In about 1870 he built his home at Bellevue, where he has been a member of council and school director. He was republican representative from the Fifth district two terms from 1881; journal clerk of house of representatives 1885-87, and chief clerk of the house 1889-90. He was aid on Gen. Beaver’s staff, N. G. P.; is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of the G. A. R., U. V. L. In 1866 he married Jerusha C., daughter of James C. and Mary B. Burchfield, of Allegheny, and four children were born to them: Mary B., Kate H., Alice T. and James B., all at home.