Labette County Biographies
From the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1894
JOHN H. MORRISON. In the career of this
gentleman we find an excellent example for
young men just embarking in the field of
active life of what may be accomplished by
a man beginning poor, but honest, prudent and
industrious. In early life he enjoyed but limited
advantages, nor had he wealth or position to aid
him in his youth. He relied solely upon his own
efforts to win prosperity, nor has his been a success
only in the sense of accumulating a competence,
but in doing good to others and in winning their
respect.
Now a prominent attorney of Oswego, Mr. Morrison is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in
Mifflin County on the 23d of April, 1850. He is
a son of Samuel and Margaret (Ross) Morrison,
natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been
born in Mifflin County, and the latter in Perry
County. Samuel Morrison was reared to manhood upon a farm, and followed agricultural
pursuits for a time. Later he engaged in mercantile
business at Newton Hamilton, Mifflin County,
where he resided until about 1853. Then removing to Illinois,he located in Fulton County, where
lie conducted general farming, stock-raising and
other pursuits until his death in 1887. His wife
died in November, 1893, at Ipava, Ill. She died as
she had lived, a faithful Christian mother. They
were the parents of two children, J. H. and J. A.,
the latter being a resident of Ipava, Ill. The father
was a man of sincere Christian character and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
At the time the family removed to Illinois, our
subject was a lad of about three years. He grew
to manhood in Fulton County, where he received
the advantages of a common-school education.
After completing his studies, he engaged in teaching school for about three years, and in the
meantime employed his leisure hours in the study of
law. In Fulton County, Ill., he was admitted to
the Bar of Illinois in 1878, and at once commenced
the practice of his profession in that county, remaining there for two years. In 1880 he came to
Oswego, where he remained for some time. In the
winter of 1886-87 he served in the State Legislature, and from 1889 until 1891 filled the position
of County Attorney of Labette County, Kan.
Removing to Portland, Ore., in 1891, Mr. Morrison remained in that city for one and one-half
years engaged in the practice of his profession.
lie was not satisfied, however, to establish his
iiome permanently in the far west, having gone
there principally on account of his wife's health.
Since his return to Kansas he has resided in Oswego, his former home.
In his political belief he is a Republican, and
has served as Chairman of the County Republican
Committee, being prominent in his chosen political
organization. He has also served as delegate to
the state convention.
In church matters Mr. Morrison is a Congregationalist. Socially he is identified with the
Ancient Order of United Workmen, He was united
in marriage in 1877 with Miss Loesa, daughter of
Robert Carithers, a prominent farmer and stockraiser of Fulton County, Ill. Two children have
been born of this union, Maud and Ralph, bright
and intelligent children, who are being educated
in the Oswego schools.
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This website created September 18, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
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