The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03

Richard W Morrill, was named for
two uncles, both of Madison, Richard
Hayden and White Hayden The farm
on which he was born. bordered the
shores of Morrill, Pond in Hartland.
james and Olive (Hayden) Morrill,
were his parents. The date OF his
birth was June s. 1892. lie was the
last to survive of a family OF II chill
dren, four sons and seven daughters.
When "a years of age he went to
Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1859 from there
to Tennessee. He was at Memphis al
the time the vote was taken as TO
whether or not Tennessee should re
cede from the Union. There WAS an
overwhelming feeling in favor of
secession and many who, like Mr. Nor
rill. purposed to vote against it,
dared not say so and we're afraid to
go to the polls. Mr. Morrill, went.
however and cast a ballot in ac-
cord with his conviction. The voters
formed in line and, as they proceeded
toward the ballot box, passed between
two bands, the one on the right play
ing Dixie and the one of the left play
ing Yankee Doodle. Thus, in music
at least, both Northern and Southern
sentiment were fully represented In
1860, after the taking of Fort Sump
ter. foreseeing troublesome times, he
left the South and came to Lowell,
Mass. where he resided for two years
He lived in Portland from 1862 to 1867
and in the latter year came to Show
hogan which was ever after his home
OF his brothers and sisters. Eliza
beth married Brice Mcclellan Whit
ing of Hartand. They had seven
children Later the family moved to
California. where Mrs Writings death
occurred.
Dilemma married Elias Harmon of
Canaan and became the mother of
three sons and four daughters She
died and was buried in Canaan. James
Harmon, for many years a well known
citizen of Skowhegan, was of this fam
lily. James Madison Morrill, married
Ruth Cover Of Hartland They went
to Wisconsin in 1854 and finally fur
Their west, and died leaving one daugh-
ter Another brother, Joseph Bow
ley Morrill, married Mrs, Lorani Brad
ley (nee Wheeler) of Hartland. He
went to Alton, Penobscot County, and
died there leaving one daughter. A
sister, Fannie Bowley Morrill,, mar
ried Joseph Herrin of Skowhegan. or
the two sons in this family Joseph l..
Herrin is still living, resident OF
this town. John Morrill, was married
in Lowell, Mass. to Miss Lucina Mer-
rilf They went to Wisconsin in
1854, raised a family of three sons
and two daughters and his death oc-
Cured in Taylor, in the state last
named or the twin daughters, Fla
villa and Aurella. the latter died in
young womanhood Flavilla became
the wife of Newell S Hayden of Madi
son. They went to Wisconsin and
she died there January l. 1916, leav-
ing no children. Olive Ann Morrill,
died in Lowell, Mass in 1854, unmar-
ried. Nancy married Addison W
Merrill of Wisconsin and died there !
survived by two sons and two daugh-
ters
Richard W, the subject of this
sketch. was married to Permelia T
Hayden who died in 1893 One son /
survives, Frank c. living at s Eliza I
beth Place, Newport. r. l., but en- +
ployed in Boston at 81 Bedford street
Richard VS.. first visit to the old I
homestead was with his sister, Mrs
Nancy S. Merrill, in about 1885 He
found everything changed and could |
not even identify a single tree in the
orchard where in his youth he could
have named everyone. A man by the
n1me of Badger was then living on the
farm. His next visit was in 1915, the
journey being made with A. H. Lang
by automobile. The old buildings
we're still there but nearly every room
N the house was changed and nothing
looked natural either inside or out !
An old schoolmate. Joseph Church. |
who has since died, was then living |
and was the holder of the Post cane |
With him, Mr.. Morrill, had very |
pleasant visit Mr.. Morrlls father
James, was one of the early settlers
n the west part of Hartland There
ire two nephews OF Richard w Nor
ill living in this vicinity. J. S. Herrin
If Skowhegan and John Harmon of
also a cousin, Eli T. Hay
len of Madison avenue.
The funeral services were held last
Monday at the Congregational church
With Rev. Charles McElhiney as of
iciating clergyman. Burial was in
he family lot in the Southside Gene
cry.