Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-09-10

superior court, was born In Pleasant.
VILE. Venango county, Pa. May 4,
lS4O His paternal grandparents come
from the north OF Ireland locating in
Centre county, where his father, VIII
liam Morrison, was born in 1904. VIII
liam Morrison finally located al Pleas
Rntville and became a leading farmer.
His mother was Elizabeth McMaster,
Of Scotch descent.
Judge Morrison received a common
school and academic education AT
Pleasantville and course at the
Pennsylvania State Normal School OF
EdinbOro, and a partial course at
Poughkeepsie \. Y. Later lie taught
school occasionally
A BRAVE SOLDIER.
In July, 1862. he enlisted as a pri-
vate in Company A, 12lst Pennsylva-
MIA Volunteers, and while serving at
the front lost his left arm al the
shoulder joint and received a severe
wound in the LETT knee at Fredericks-
burg Va, December 10, 1862 After
lying In shelter tent near Fredericks-
burg for two weeks after the battle
be was removed 10 Washington and
spent the winter Of 62-G3 In Armory
Square Hospital being unable to walk
until the next spring In April 1863,
he was discharged and returned to
Pleasantyille and in 1864 and 1865
held the office of Justice Of the peace
In that place He was treasurer of
FenangO county in 1868 and 1869.
Later he was deputy internal revenue
collector at Oil City and connected
with the editing and publishing of
newspaper al that place.
Afterwards he engaged in business
and read Law. and in 1875 was ad-
mitted 70 the bar He practiccd his
profsssiOn al PIeasautvilIc until 1879.
when he removed To Smethport, where
he was engaged in a successful pTaC-
tice until September. 1897, when he
was appointed by Governor Beaver
Judge OF the 4Sth district composed
Of Mexican and Potter counties In
Noember OF the same year he was
elected 70 the same judicial office for
10 years So satisfactory was his
term Of service that In 1897 he was
accorded unanimous nomination by his
party in both counties and in Noycm-
Der following was reelected for an
other term Of ten years
During Judge MOrrisOn's second
term Nc KeaR county was made sep
Rrate judicial district. and on Septem-
Der 10. 1901 he was commissioned
president Judge OF the 18th district.
composed OF the county Of Mexican.
The Judge served on the bench until
December. 1902. when he was appoint
ed Judge OF the superior court by Gov
ernor Stone 20 fiji the vacancy caused
By the retirement OF Judge John l.
Mitchell On December 30. 1902. he
WaG commissioned as a judge of the
superior court until the first Monday
OF January. 1904
Judge Morrison is now one Of the
nominees OF the Republican party for
Judge Of the superior court for the full
term Of ten years from the last men
toned date
the common pleas bench ne establish
ed G reputation for prompt efficient
and fearless discharge OF duty He
enjoys the distinction of never having
bssn compelled 70 adjourn court for
single day on account Of sickness dur
Ing nearly l6 years OF service He has
never missed a session Of the superior
court since his appointment
Judge Morrison has been an earnest
Republican from his boyhood days.
and never neglected voting fer a Re
publican candidate tor president. nor
for a governor OF any other important
candidate OF his party except in the
fall of 1852. while ne was at the front
While the Judge has not been an aC-
tive partisan since he went upon the
bench yet he has been we'll known as
an earnest supporter OF the principles
aas policies Of the Republican party