The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-09-15
tFor tho State Rights Democrat.1
HON. BURR MORRIS.


in the same State, taking with him the
subject Of this sketch, then at tender
age. In the then wilds of western Ohio,
and with oil the inconvenience and hard
ships of q pioneer life, Morris spent his
youthful years. His tather--a man Of
some distinction among the pioneers
died when Burr was boy, leaving the
family with small homestead and de-
pendent upon their own industry for a
livelihood OF this period of his life We
know but little. We can only say that,
left to his own resources and unaidcd, he
acquired good English education. We
have no recollection of his ever speaking
to us of his early trials and the difficulties
which ho had TO surmount in his young
years, until we took him by the hand on
this coast last June. But whatever may
have been the struggles of his early life,
throughout the entire period he main
tanned character for honesty, industry
and morality far above reproach. Arriv-
ed at the age of manhood, he selected
the profession of the law Us that to which
he would devote his future energies.
lie commenced reading law under the
auspices of his uncle, Judge Morris, then
on the bench in northern Indiana, but in
what district and county We arc not ad-
vised. lie remained with his uncle a
short time and then returned to Finley,
the county seat of Hancock county, Ohio,
near which his mother and the family re-
sided. There, if our recollection serves
US Alright, he finished the course Of read
ing in the office of Messrs. VIM. Mungen
4 VIM. Gribon, Esqs. Afterward he
spent n winter at the Cincinnati Law
School. In the spring following he was
admitted to the Ohio Bar, and located
at Bucyrus, Crawford county, Ohio, in the
summer Of 1858. There we FIRST made
his acquaintance, and there, too, formed
with him that bond of mutual friendship
which has been scyercd only by the hand
ot an Overruling Providence We well
rccollcct his first efforts at the Crawford
county Bar. lie was was young aud
timid, but, relying entirely upon his own
energy and industry, he attracted the no
tiee and commanded the respect of the
Bar, which was composed of men OF ster.
ling worth aud of high order of profes-
sional ability
We believe that il was in the year fol-
lowing his arrival in B. that he became
the partner of Abner A. Jackson, Esq,
who was then, aud is still, one among the
ablest practitioners at the Bar in that sec
ton of Ohio. Thus introduced to active
practice at the Bar, he won the esteem
and confidence Of his clients and the ad-
miration and respect Of his competitors.
The latter part of the same year he was
elected to the Office of Prosecuting Attor-
ney for the county-an Office of consider
able care and responsibility. His oppo-
nent for the nomination to this position
was james Clements, row Probate Judge
of the county. Mr.. Clements is n man of
character, and was we'll known Though
out the county, having formerly been
elected to the Office of Sheriff. They
were both ofthe same party, and of course
carried the matter before their respective
friends throughout the county The
nominations are made there by ballot.
Young Morris went before the people in
his mild and gentlemanly manner, and in
a faiI and honorable contest won the nom-
ination by handsome majority He was
afterward elected and entered upon the
discharge of his Official duties, which he
managed with such ability and integrity
that he was reelected to the office with
out any opposition from his own party,
which was very largely in the ascendant
at that time in the county. He was an
honest, capable, faithful and judicious of.
fcer.
In the last year of the last term of of
fee Mr.. Morris resigned, and in June, A.
d. 1854, he bade his friends an affection
ate farewell and started West, with view
of making Oregon his home. A large
, circle ofrelatives and many warm friends
} POLITICALLY and otherwise-expressed
much regret at his departure; but, having
made the resolution, nothing could induce
him to change it. Of the voyage we
know nothing, other than that he told us
of much suffering during the trip. OF
his subsequent career we can say but lit
tie; nor is it deemed necessary. 1t is
here it is with the people of Linn coun-
ty. lie had but entered upon the dis
charge of the duties of an important Of
fee to which he had been elected by the
} people of Linn county, and had he lived
we do not hesitate to say that he would
have given general satisfaction, and also
have proven himself worthy of the con.
idence and esteem of his warmest per.
sonal friends.
Mr.. Morris was man of calm and de.
liberate disposition. He rarely veutured