Biographical Sketch of

William Morris

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 642 - 643


William Morris resides upon section 27, Manchester Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising.  
He has passed his entire life in this county.  Of him it can be said, what is true of but few, that he was born 
and reared upon the farm which is still his home.  His birth occurred on the 5th day of June, 1847.  His 
parents being Hugh and A. (Parry) Morris, who were natives of Wales.  They were married in that country, where 
they resided until 1844, when they bade good-bye to home and friends and set sail for America.  Their first 
location was near Racine, Wis., where Mr. Morris engaged in the occupation of teaming for a period of two years.  
The year of 1846 witnessed his arrival in Green Lake County, which was then a part of Marquette County.  He 
entered quite a large tract of land, and at once turned his attention to its development, that he might make 
for himself and family a comfortable home.  Not a single improvement had hitherto been made, but the entire 
tract was in its primitive condition.  During the first summer the family lived in a wagon, but in the fall 
of 1846 a cabin was erected, built of logs in the usual manner of that day.  For thirteen years that little 
dwelling continued to be the home of the Morris family, but in the meantime their financial resources were 
increased, their efforts were attended with success, and in 1859 they were enabled to erect a frame residence.  
It was the second frame building in this part of the county, and is still the home of our subject.  The father, 
however, was not long permitted to enjoy its comforts, as in the year 1865 his death occurred.  His excellent
wife survived him for many years, dying in 1884.  Both were members of the Welsh Presbyterian Church, and Mr. 
Morris was an inflexible adherent of the Republican party.  As a citizen he was ever faithful to his duties, 
and won the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.  To him and his wife was born a family 
of eleven children, but only five are left to perpetuate the name of that worthy couple:  Hugh, who is engaged 
in farming in Fillmore County, Minn.; Gersham, who was born in Racine, and is also a farmer of Fillmore County; 
William, of this sketch; Ann, who became the wife of a Mr. Evans, and after his death married Augustus Smith, 
of Vernon County, Wis.; Harry, a merchant of Minneapolis, Minn.
 
Like so many thousands of others, our subject received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood.  
The school house was built of logs and had the usual plain furniture of such a primitive structure.  His life 
occupation has been that of farming, to which he was reared.  He grew to manhood upon the old homestead, and in 
all probability his entire life will there be passed.  He is now the owner of 120 acres of the old home farm, 
and takes pride in it, as being one of the best cultivated tracts in the county.  He also owns 320 acres of land 
in Marshall County, S. D., which is partly improved, making his entire possessions aggregate 440 acres.  In 
connection with the operation of the farm, he devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty 
of Hambletonian horses, owning some of the best stock of that breed in this part of the State.  In both branches 
of his business he has been quite successful, and is recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers 
of the community.  He is a representative of the first Welsh family of Green Lake County.  Known throughout the 
entire community, he has many friends, both among the younger and older settlers, and well deserves the high regard 
in which he is held.






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