John William Morrison
His birth was November 12. 1853. He was the son of James Morrison and Mary J. Cobler. his wife. His grandfather, William Morrison, married a daughter of Ralph Peterson. Our subject was educated in the common schools and was a farmer all his life. His father was a member of Company K., 181st O. V. I. He enlisted October 7, 1864, and died March 16. 1865. while home on furlough, from the results of the service, when his son, our subject, was but twelve years of age. He was left the eldest of seven children, with his widowed mother, to face the world and hold the family together, and right nobly did he bear his burden. These children ranged from twelve to one year of age, three brothers and three sisters, whose care, support and education devolved almost wholly on him. That they have taken their places in the world in honorable positions is largely due to the example and force of character of their elder brother.
Our subject was married October 29, 1884, to Miss Margaret E. Carson, daughter of James Carson and Eleanor Greathouse, his wife, a woman of a most lovely and lovable disposition. The marriage was a very happy one. He and his wife located near Peebles. His domestic happiness was not, however, to last long. In June, 1896, he was taken with a catarrh of the bowels and the disease steadily progressed till the sixth of July. 1897. when he passed from Earth to Heaven.
uring the thirteen years of his married life he was blessed with four children; two of these died in infancy and two, a daughter, Mary Ellen, and a son, Alfred Alonzo, survive.
In his political views he was a Democrat. He was not a member of any fraternal organization. He was a member of the Chrisian Disciple Church and lived up to its teachings. In all his tastes he was domestic. He felt that he belonged to his wife and children as well as they to him, and for this reason was not a fraternity man. He believed in doing the duty nearest to him and pursued it. Dying in the prime and high noon of life, he was not permitted to demonstrate what his energies, his mind and heart could accomplish, but his career to its ending gave promise of a life full of usefulness and honor. He was reserved in his intercourse with his fellows, unassuming and even tempered. He was honorable, just and obliging. He was most sympathetic with those in sickness or affliction, and they could and did most gratefully appreciate his ministrations.
He left a record of human sympathy, of religious feeling and experience, of affection in his family and among his friends, of industry, economy, which will yield a sweet smelling incense so long as it shall
remain. He did not live in vain and his memory is a benediction speaking blessed words to those who feel his loss.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900