Benjamin Franklin Morris
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Benjamin Franklin Morris
Benjamin Franklin Morris II-born in Marmet, W.Va on June 19, 1876; departed this life December 6, 1947; age 71 years, 5 months and 17 days. He was a direct descendant of the pioneers, William and Leonard Morris, who were the first permanent settlers in Kanawha Valley and the son of the late Benjamin F. and Julia Arthur Morris. He was married to America Ellen Price in 1899, who died March 5, 1926. Born to this union were eleven (11) children-six sons and five daughters- Roy Jennings, Marmet; Lawrence, deceased; Charles Ray, Huntington; Russell Churchman, Leonard Wade, Benjamin Franklin, Jr., Bertie Lee Tury, Ruth Edgelle Gosnay, Marmet; Jannie Louise Jordan, Chesapeake; Margaret Lucille Smith, Groves, Texas; and Helen Reed Morris, deceased. Also surviving are a brother, Ira Morris, Chesapeake; a sister, Mrs. Emma McBride, California; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends. He started his career as a coal miner in the Old Peerless Coal Mine at the age of 12 years. During the succeeding years he became a check weighman, District Board Member, Secretary and International Board Member of District 17 of the UMW of America. He was an associate and organizer under the late John Michell, first President of the United Mine Workers of America. In 1912 he resigned this position at Indianapolis, Indiana and for the next four years engaged in the insurance and real estate business. From 1916 to 1931 he was affiliated with the Kanawha Coal Operators Association as Labor Conciliator, Mine Inspector and Assistant Secretary. Later he became a Right-of-way agent for the Road Commission, Deputy Inspector for the State Unemployment Bureau. At the time of his death he was employed by the Kanawha County Court. During the past 30 years, along with the many other enterprises he was engaged in, he found time to serve 3 terms as member of the Loudon District School Board and 22 years as Mayor of the town of Marmet. He devoted most of his time as a resident of Marmet, to its welfare and progress and no labors were too large when working for his beloved birth site and the home of his pioneer ancesters. There will never be another like him. In Memory of his children.
Submitted by LYNN MORRIS JORDAN ([email protected]) on Wed Mar 29 09:54:20 2000
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