born:  March 22, 1804 New York

married:

died: December 28, 1857

buried:   Crown Hill Cemetery  

The brother of Judge and William H. Morrison, was born in New York city, but with his brothers came to Charleston, Indiana, in the year 1818.  He there learned the printing business.  In the Legislature that convened on the first Monday of December, 1830, he represented Clark County, and while here made arrangements to commence in the spring the publication of a weekly paper, to be called the "Indiana Democrat."  In accordance with this arrangement Mr. Morrison, with his family, removed to this place early in the spring of 1831.

The "Democrat" was started in the interest of and supported General Jackson for re-election to the Presidency.  Mr. Morrison was a ready political writer, and made the "Democrat" a spicy paper.  Its editorials would compare favorably with those of the city papers of the present day.  He was very bitter toward his opponents, and his articles sometimes read as though he had dipped his pen in gall.

He was engaged from time to time in various kinds of business here during his life.  He was one of the "bloody three hundred" that in 1832 went out to meet Black Hawk, but all returned without any other than their own scalps.

During the Mexican war he was a quartermaster in the army, and it was while there his already feeble constitution was greatly impaired.  I do not think he ever experienced a well day after his return.  His eyes, that were naturally weak, were almost entirely destroyed.

Mr. Morrison was a very kind, generous-hearted man to his friends, but very bitter to his enemies, or those he had reason to believe were such.  In his social relations and intercourse with his neighbors, he was deservedly popular, and a very hospitable man.  As a husband and father, he was devoted and indulgent, anticipating every want of his family.

Mr. Morrison leaves two sons, Will. Alex, and Charles, and also two daughter, Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Murphy, who, together with their mother, yet reside in the city.

Major Morrison died in December 1857, at the age of fifty four, regretted by many old friends and acquaintance.  

          "Unfading hope, when life's last embers burn,

           When soul to soul, and dust to dust return."

 

Nowland, John H. B., “Early Reminiscences of Indianapolis, with Short Biographical Sketches of Its Early Citizens, and of a Few of the Prominent Business Men of the Present Day,” 1870, pp. 218-219

Transcribed by Sherri Morem Bergman