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Henry Lawton Morrison

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Henry Lawton Morrison

Birth	:	12 Aug 1820 Geneva, Ashtabula County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	11 Dec 1903 Ashtabula, Ashtabula County, Ohio, USA
Burial	:	Golden Hill Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.3050003, -95.9744034
Description	:	Henry Lawton Morrison. The name Morrison has been a fixed surname in Scotland for many centuries, and is an old name in the counties of Lincoln, Herfordshire and Lancaster, England. The first branch of the family to come to America was Robert Morrison, who came early in the 18th century, and settled in Massachusetts. William, son of Robert Morrison, married on Nov 10, 1748, to Sarah Montgomery of Middleborough, Mass. He served in Colonial wars and during the French and Indian War was taken prisoner at the Bay of Fundy, and died on board the prison... Read More	Henry Lawton Morrison. The name Morrison has been a fixed surname in Scotland for many centuries, and is an old name in the counties of Lincoln, Herfordshire and Lancaster, England. The first branch of the family to come to America was Robert Morrison, who came early in the 18th century, and settled in Massachusetts. William, son of Robert Morrison, married on Nov 10, 1748, to Sarah Montgomery of Middleborough, Mass. He served in Colonial wars and during the French and Indian War was taken prisoner at the Bay of Fundy, and died on board the prison ship at Quebec, June 2, 1758. James, son of William Morrison, was born Feb. 28, 1757, at Easton, Mass. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War he volunteered at the age of 18 and served through the war as a private and artificer, and was a pensioner under the act of 1832. He married Aug 5, 1783, Hannah Gunn of Pittsfield, Mass. In 1806 he came with his family to Harpersfield, Ashtabula County. James Morrison, Jr., son of James, married as his second wife, Sally Nutt, Feb 13, 1812, and to them was born at Geneva, Ohio, on Aug 12, 1820 Henry Lawton Morrison. Life and death stood side by side in the humble home that August day and the hour of the son's birth was the hour of the mother's death. The little babe was given to the father's sister, Sarah, wife of Abisha Lawton, and in their home he was reared with wise and tender care. Mr. Morrison has written of them: "To their kindness and love I am indebted for all I have been, am or hope to be. I owe them a debt that can never be estimated or repaid". His boyhood was like that of other boys of the day; work was abundant and pleasure few. At the age of six he began attending school a the "Line School House", which stood one-half in Geneva and one half in Saybrook, about a mile from his home. In his "Recollections", he wrote at the solicitation of his children, Mr. Morrison says: "The first sentence I ever read was in Webster's Spelling Book, 'No man can put off the law of God'. I was very enthusiastic over learning to read, and my remembrance is that in less than three weeks I was in the first class, reading in the English Reader. I learned the multiplication tables, and to add, subtract and divide, and went as far in Daboll's Arithmetic as reduction before I was eight years of age. I had also read the Bible through and all the books in the house, the list of which is short, namely: The Foundling, by Fielding; the Methodist Discipline; Truth Vindicated, written by a Quaker the Memoirs of John Luckington, a London Bookseller, and a few stray leaves of the Arabian Nights and a book called "The Prompter." In the summer of 1830 Mr. Lawton sold the farm on South Ridge Road and purchased one on the North Ridge about three and one-half miles farther west. On this farm stood a new house, the first brick house erected in Geneva. This house, still standing, is now quite in the heart of the town. In 1836 the Lawtons moved to Ashtabula, and here Mr. Morrison began the mercantile career, which with the exception of a year or two spent in study, he followed for the remained of his life. A list of those first firms for whom he clerked would recall men prominent in the history of Ashtabula. On June 12, the new firm of Root and Barnes, with Mr. Morrison as clerk, began business in the building, still standing on the same ground, now know as 181 Main Street. Here Mr. Morrison remained a clerk, partner and proprietor until 1892, when with his sons he built the block as 218-220-222 Main Street. Mr. Morrison firmly believed that every citizen owed a duty to the town in which he lived, and a service to the public. Though not an office seeker he accepted those that came to him and gave to the discharge of such duties all the diligence and judgement that he gave to his own affairs. After holding several minor offices, he was elected mayor of Ashtabula in 1857, an office he again held several time at later dates. He was a member of the board of education from the inception of the public school system in 1856 until 1866. He served as county commissioner from 1875 to 1879. The last public office which he held was that of councilman in the years 1896-1898, being president of the council in 1897 and 1898, at the age of 78 years. Undoubtedly Mr. Morrison did no greater service to Ashtabula than in promoting and pushing to completion the Pittsburgh,Youngstown and Ashtabula Railroad. Associated with him in this work were Henry Hubbard, Jospeh D. Hulbert and Amos C. Fisk. The first two mentioned were the elder and the active work fell upon Mr. Fisk and Mr. Morrison. Mr. Morrison was a director in the Niles & New Lisbon Railroad, projected in 1852, but never built. The directorate body had maintained its organization and held the right of way, hoping that the future might bring favorable development; but by reason of the Civil War and other vicissitudes, it was not until 1869 that the project was revived. The aid of Pittsburgh men was secured, and in 1870 the board of directors of the Pittsburgh, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad was elected, of which Mr. Morrison was one, an office which he held until his death. From resolutions adopted by the board at the time we quote the following: "H.L. Morrison was a director in this company and its predecessor companies during the entire period of 33 years of their corporate existence, beginning in 1870 and continuing to the day of his death. Throughout this long service he has been faithful in attending the meetings of the board, always displaying keen interest in the affairs of the company and zeal in promoting its welfare, his unfailing kind heart and genial manner endeared him to his associates on the board, who will miss him for his personal characteristics no less than for the wisdom of his counsel; and they offer to his family a sincere expression of sympathy in their bereavement. S.B. Liggett, Sec'y." Mr. Morrison was a member of the First Baptist Church and the church held a foremost place in his affections. To it he gave liberally of his time and substance. Regarding his personal characteristics it can be said he was first of all, a Christian, possessing in a rare degree intense honesty of purpose, integrity and uprightness; in addition he had the well balanced mind and sound judgement that made him a wise counsellor. to the end of his long life he retained his wonderful memory, and articles on the early history of Ashtabula written by him in 1901, at the solicitation of the press, were not only much enjoyed but are cherished in many a scrap book as invaluable records. The Ashtabula Beacon Record, which published these articles, said of them: "Beginning tomorrow, Jan 3, 1901, the Beacon Record will from this day to day publish a series of articles on the early history of Ashtabula and her pioneers from the pen of Henry L. Morrison. Mr. Morrison has been a resident of Ashtabula for 65 years, has always taken an active interest in all public affairs and has a more extensive and definite knowledge of the history of Ashtabula than any other person living. With the vast fund of data at hand, and the clear mind and ready pen of the author, these articles will not only be interesting reading, but will be very valuable from a historical point of view, and they will be greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the readers of the Beacon Record." Mr. Morrison's death occurred on Dec. 11, 1903. In noting this event the same paper said: "Today a sadness pervades not only a home bereaved, but the entire city, whose residents share in an inestimable loss in the passing of its oldest business head and general benefactor, Henry L. Morrison. Well might the departed be regarded as one of Ashtabula's fathers, to whose determined efforts in its early history the city owes much of its present condition of thrift, prosperity and promise. He was one of the very foundation stones in the upbuilding of this municipality, and future generations will refer with pride to that chapter in the history of the great city on the lake which tells of this one of its pioneers." On Oct 7, 1846, Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Nancy Pamela Castle, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Watrous) Castle, a union which lasted for over 57 years and a most happy one. Mrs. Morrison survived her husband five years, passing to the Great Beyond on Dec 4, 1908. A friend has written of her: "She was a woman of wide mental capacity, and an active worker in every good cause. Loyal to her country, her church, her home and her friends, she was a worthy representative of the long line of ancestors, home makers and officials both military and civic, which was her Heritage. In loving devotion to her husband and children she passed her long life, her memory treasured and reverenced by all who knew her." The children of Henry L. and Nancy C. Morrison were: (1) Katherine Amelia, married Arthur H. Chapin, died Aug 7, 1910 and Herr children are: Mary Vincent Chapin, married Walter F. Rawdon and the have a son Robert Morrison, born in 1916; Henry Morrison Chapin, married Florence Bertolette, and their children Katherine Lousie Chapin, born 1917, Helen Mary Chapin born 1919, and Marjorie Bertolette born in 1923. (2) Mary Watrous, who lives at 77 Park Street, Ashtabula (3) Willard Henry, married first to Emma R. Harris, who died Oct 6, 1918, and later to Charlotte Eve Hooker. (4) Frederick Root, married Edith Root, who died Oct 9, 1918 and they had two children, Henry Frederick, born March 13, 1908, and Robert Stanley born Nov. 19, 1910.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Henry Lawton Morrison's memorial?
Henry Lawton Morrison's memorial is located at: Golden Hill Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas County, USA.
When did Henry Lawton Morrison death?
Henry Lawton Morrison death on 11 Dec 1903 in Ashtabula, Ashtabula County, Ohio, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Henry Lawton Morrison's memorial?
Latitude: 41.3050003
Longitude: -95.9744034

Family Members:

Spouse

Nancy Pamela Castle Morrison

(1821 - 1908)

Children

Katherine Amelia Morrison Chapin

(1849 - 1910)

Mary Watrous Morrison

(1853 - 1929)

Willard Henry Morrison

(1858 - 1937)

Frederick R. Morrison

(1861 - 1918)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Golden Hill Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3050003, -95.9744034

2. Pleasant Hill Jewish Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3185997, -95.9766998

3. Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3272018, -95.9847031

4. Springwell Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3114014, -96.0096970

5. Prospect Hill Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2780991, -95.9593964

6. Potter Field
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3320274, -95.9902878

7. Mormon Pioneer Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3348450, -95.9663720

8. Nash Chapel Crypt
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2665090, -95.9721790

9. Servants of Mary Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3017170, -96.0258260

10. Mount Hope Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3041992, -96.0310974

11. Mount Sinai Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3116989, -96.0314026

12. First Central Congregational Columbarium
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2563456, -95.9658365

13. Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2543983, -95.9875031

14. Trinity Cathedral Columbarium
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2603900, -95.9393660

15. Douglas County Poor Farm Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2437240, -95.9723480

16. Bohemian Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2388992, -95.9955978

17. All Saints Episcopal Church Columbarium
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2785000, -96.0579000

18. Ak-Sar-Ben Racetrack Grounds
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2414703, -96.0159607

19. Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2346992, -95.9966965

20. Saint Andrews Episcopal Church Columbarium
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2492500, -96.0427500

21. Calvary Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2364006, -96.0294037

22. Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2393990, -96.0355988

23. Countryside Community Church Columbarium
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2483660, -96.0500270

24. Union Memorial Cemetery
Omaha, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3512611, -96.0620193