Evening star., 1907-08-27
VETERAN PACKER DEAD
PASSING OF NELSON MORRIS AT
HIS HOME IN CHICAGO.


Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, August 27.-Nelson Nor
ris, the veteran packer and business man.
died at 7:4O o'clock this morning at the
family residence, 2453 Indiana avenue.
The death Of the dean of the packing in
dustry in Chicago was not unexpected and
the members of the family were at the bed
side when the end came.
For the last week Mr.. Morris has been
lowering between life and death. Monday
1t was announced that he was on the road
to recovery. A relapse occurred during the
night. followed by sinking spell. Rela-
tives and close friends were hurriedly sum-
moned.
Nelson Morris was one Of the remaining
members Of the old guard. to whose efforts
Chicago owes her supremacy in the packing
industry
Born in the Black Forest
Mr.. Morris was born in the Black Forest
Germany, January 81, 1889. His parents
We're not wealthy and he was compelled
to depend upon his own efforts for educa-
ton. When twelve years old, his parents
emigrated to America, bringing the boy
with them.
Chicago was the mecca Of the dreams Of
young Morris and he reached this city in
1854. securing employment in the stock
yards.
For two years he stepped up to the pay
masters window weekly and drew his pay
check. He was observant and it did not
| take him long TO determine that he could
make more money working for himself In
pursuance of this belief he engaged in busi-
ness at the stock yards in 1855. He pros
pered and in 1863 he married Miss Sarah
Vogel.
These were the days of independent inter.
ests and Nelson Morris, in competition with
the SWlrts and Armours, not only held his
own, out forged ahead, and as he pros
pered prosperity marked the upbuilding Of
the gigantic packing interests that control
| the meat market Of the world.
His Unique Personality.
Mr. MOTIFS was man of unique person.
AMY. apparently gruff and blunt in his
manner. his warmheartedness was we'll
| known to those whom business or soc,s, du-
ues brought into his path Firemen. police-
| men and newspaper reporters who have on
countered him in the line of business can
attest to the liberality and thouphtfrlnsss
| of the man 90
oh one occasion. when fire threatened
the entire plant with destruction. Morris
mi,saI1. WAS among the first on the ground 1t was
Dmterly cold and a blizzard was raging
when he saw the ice-ncrusted fireman ha
leit the scene of the fire-a scene which
lions to him. io's VI ihli-
Upon his return he was accompanied bv
men carrying huge tanks Of hot cofree and
sandwiches He personally superintendad
the distribution to the fire fighters W6en
asi H iiau oeen served he resumed his task
property. pio'eel his
He was the president of Nelson Morris e.
Co.. the Fairbanks Canning Comnanv AZ
rector OF the First National Bank. First
Trust and Savings Bank National Iiva
stock stock Bank: NIX. Stock Yards Savings Bank.
Peoples Trust and Savings Bank. New
England Stock Yards Company. Br,ehton
Stock Yards Company, ST Louis Stool
1a daras company st; Joe Stock Yards Com
Omaha Land Company, San Franctscn
Land Improvement Company. M. Rothschii6
and the Union Rendering COMPANY
Nelson Morris father originally was
wealthy cattle dealer, but he became re-
duced to poverty after Joining the revoiu
tionary movement to unite the BLACK Eor
est to Switzerland The father was an exr1a
! until the son paid his ransom twenty wears
ago.
Started Packing House in 1862.
Mr.. Morris started his packing house IN
1862, and during the latter part of the
war supplied the army Of the west with
beef He was the first to export live cattle
from this country to Europe. He received
the first contract ever given to supply a
government with beef. He obtained i'm
| portant and profitable contracts with
France, England and Germany.
The old Myrick yards, where Mr. Morris
received his start to commercial eminence
| were then the largest stock yards In the
| city. They were situated at o3th street
| and Cottage Grove avenue. This district
now contains not a trace of the meat in
| dustry. 1t was in these yards that Mr.
| Morris once was employed during the win
ter months in keeping the hogs from freez-