James M. Morris

James M. Morris, son of James and Zada (Grimes) Morris, was born in Greene county, Pa., March 24, 1837. His parents were farmers of that state, who in 1845 moved to Guernsey county, but in 1853 moved to Ross county, Ohio, where they were engaged in agriculture until retiring from active life. Of their children, John resides in Marshall county, Ill.; James M., here ; William, in Hamburg, Iowa; Margaret, wife of Eli Wilson, also of Iowa; Maria, wife of William Morgan, of Ross county, Ohio. The mother of this family died in August, 1851, and a year later the father remarried. To this second marriage six children were born, five of whom are living. James M. passed his early years with his father. At the age of fifteen he left home to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he has ever since followed successfully. In 1856 he moved to Peoria, Ill., worked in the old "Peoria City Shop," eighteen months, when he moved to Valley township, and was a blacksmith there until 1861. In this year he enrolled in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, served three years and twenty days in that command, reenlisted in Fourth United States Volunteer Company G, and served until mustered out as sergeant March 9, 1866. Returning, he married Miss Henrietta K. Little, a native of Massachusetts, April 15, 1866. This lady is the daughter of Dr. David and Susan B. Little, both natives of Ireland and both practicing physicians. At the time of her marriage Miss Little was a school teacher. In 1882 she attended Bennett's Eclectic Medical College, Chicago, graduated in March, 1884, and is now one of the leading physicians of that school in Chicago. Their children are John L., a painter and musician, of Chicago, and James C, attending school at Bradford. Mr. Morris visited Kansas in 1871, homesteaded 160 acres and resided there until 1874, engaged in farming. From 1875 to 1885 he carried on his shops at Bradford. Renting them that year he moved to Chicago, but returning in the spring of 1886, resumed charge of them, where he is engaged in black-smithing and manufacturing. In politics he is decidedly Republican, a member of the Blue Lodge, and of the Grand Army Republic Post at Bradford, and although not a church member, is a friend of all churches. (Vide history of Bradford for official and social record.)