Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-23
OFFICERS AND MANAGERS
Ernm the Nfirrnr rWeIch-l
Biographical Sketch of Hon. David
Morris, Girard- Cleveland, Ohio.

Biographical Sketch of Hon. David
Morris, Girard-Cleveland. Ohio.
Biography is a fruitful branch of litera.
ature perhaps one of the most profitable
and instructive branches of reading mat.
ter. In this we see depicted the solved
and ever-solving problem of human life
Our retrospect of the past stamp impress
sion on our present and Forthcoming
moyements-indeed it is by the past we
judge the future-it is the great criterion
whom we consult in difficulty-the most
infalliable rule accessible to us, by which
our actions are governed.
In reviewing our ancestors career, we
see where they stumbled and failed also
wherein and through what obstacles they
triumphed. Their faults are like so many
buoys and lighthouses, warning us of per,
ilous points in the sea of life. The lau-
rels they wear inspire our energy, and
beckon us to plod our way to distinguish
ed positions needless of the apparent in
surmountables. Their memory proclaim
to us by industry, perseverance and
care you may succeed; :" and this might
ly influences our feeling. Who can trace
the footsteps of the self-made man and
not profit; and be encouraged to push
his way onward through all difficulties,
especially when finding in such men mod
e'ty, perseverance, energy, industry, at
tentiveness, unbroken care, fullness and
economy. We believe the subject of our
present notice is worthy of attention, and
will be beneficial to its readers.
David Morris was son of respectable
parents, (Mr. and Mrs. VIM. Morris, and
was born in Sirhowy, Monmouth Co.,
Wales, July 9th, 1919. Died Feb. Is,
1862, in the forty-third year of his age.
We pass over his minority here as we will
have occasion to notice it in ourappended
remarks. He emigrated to America when
quite young, landing in New York, Oct.
4, 1899, in company with his mother and
family, having had eight weeks of rather
a rough voyage, his fatherwas here before
the family. They settled first in Potts
vile, thence in Llewelyn for short time,
thence removed to Primrose, Schuylkill
Co., Pa.
In 1871 he left his parents, 1--WE notice
here prominent feature of his conduct
in youth, viz: his remarkable obedience
to his parents) after serving them good
and faithful, until twenty-five years old,
he leaves home and moves to Clinton,
Ohio. There he met Mr.. VIM. Philpot
whose son-in-law he afterward became.
Mr.. P. was then proprietor of the Clin-
ton Coal Mines, and he employed Morris,
who soon showed himself of signal use in
pushing work on.
In lS43 he married Miss Dorothea Phil
pot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philpot, a
young lady of high qualities, to discharge
the duties of wife. This union proved
source of happiness to him. Domestic
virtues and management being exemplary,
their hearth was seat of harmony, and
consoling counsels.
About this time he managed for his
father-in-law, and contracted for the min
ing of coal in Clinton and other banks.
In 1874 his father-in-law, VIM. Philpot,
Esq, sold out to L. Crawford, Esq. Mr..
Morris managed Clinton Mines under the
new proprietor; trust he held until 1851,
he moved to Girard, Ohio, to commence
business himself. By diligence and good
fortune he accumulated some capital in
past undertakings, which he invested in
a Coal Bank near Girard that Mr.. Phil
pot had commenced some years PRIOR
Morris now for the first time had an in
vestment in Coal Mines. Since that his
claims have been continually expanding,
until they are now very extensive; and
hundreds of people were dependent on
Interpretations. BY these mines he through
his own application realized the large as
sets now in possession of his family.
For the readers sake we describe the
location of his Banks: Diamond Mines,
is one mile west of Girard; Mineral Ridge
Mines, are on promising new village of
that name, situated about three miles
west of Girard, and two and half miles
south of Nilestown, o., all are within
eight miles of each other. He also for
several years had Mount Carbon Mines,
near Girard, per contract under Hon. D.
Tod, present Governor of the State of
Ohio. This is not mentioned much for
its importance in itself; but because the
extent Of operations will in part, be the
basis of our superstructure.
Morris began business on small scale,
and to show the contrast we give here
the amount of coal mined in 1862, viz {:
Morris & Price, Mineral Ridge Bank, 54,
4S0 tons coal and ore exclusive of slack.
Morris, Weathersfield Bank, &C, 800, max
ing in all the grand total of 1890. /
would gladly put before the reader the
aggregate value of sales, if l had them
however the above figures will give some
idea of his copious transactions. This is
exclusive of Powers Bank, which he late
ly annexed TO his field of operations, and
where he vigorously worked and widened
his hold.
In sc he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to
reside and transact business in the firms
Crawford, Price & Morris; afterwards,
Price, Crawford & Morris; and finally
Morris & Price. We think ourselves JUS
titled in saying that he was on several
considerations, the most important mem
Der of these firms.
We glide now to make some remarks
on the characteristics of deceased, COM
on his Education. His access to
intellectual culture were limited, and ir
regular in his youth-he made good use
of those afforded him, however, his quail
ifcations to discharge the duties of Coal
Dealer, were notable; whether obtained
by early study, or experience, or both, we
know not certainly the latter greatly en-
hanced his accomplishments.
Early Rising, was familiar to Morris, so
it is to vast number of our fellow men
but when we remember that his income
allowed him an easier life, we are sur
prised he did not enjoy it by not rising
20 early and exercising loss. In this he