Thomas J. Morris

As printed in 1906

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

John Morris, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in 1802, settling as a pioneer in Walnut township, Pickaway County, where he later became possessed of 1,000 acres of land, 160 acres of which is now the property of Thomas J. Morris, our subject. He reared a family and left descendants who are now among the county's best citizens.

James Morris, son of John Morris and father of our subject, was born in Walnut township and here grew to manhood, cleared a farm of 160 acres and added several hundred more acres to his first purchase. He died April 22, 1896. For many years he was a justice of the peace and served as township trustee. In politics he was a strong adherent of the Democratic party. He married Mary Davis, who was also a native of Walnut township and a daughter of William Davis, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the township. She died January 7, 1904. Of their nine children, there are now living three sons — Thomas J., our subject; George W., the present treasurer of Pickaway County, a sketch of whom will be found in this work; and James M., a hardware merchant of Circleville, also represented with a sketch in this book — and four daughters — Mrs. Lydia Stein, of Circleville township; Mrs. Ella Stein, of Jackson township; Mrs. Alice Blacker, of Chillicothe; and Mrs. Clara Campbell, of Circleville. John and Jane are deceased.

The boyhood and youth of Mr. Morris were spent on the farm and in attending school. In 1875 lie entered the Worthington Normal School and enjoyed a thorough course of training there which fitted him for the profession of teaching, which he followed for 13 years. After his marriage, Mr. Morris operated a portion of the homestead farm during the summer seasons and taught school in the winter, until 1889, when he moved to Circleville and bought a one-half interest, with Henry Pontius, in a grocery business, the name of the firm being Pontius & Morris. One year later Mr. Morris withdrew in order to give his attention to other matters.

Mr. Morris married Clara K. Ritt, who was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (McDowell) Ritt. They have four children, viz. Mary F., Emmett C., Clara Helen and Frances R. The family residence is located at No. 722 North Court street, Circleville.

In politics Mr. Morris has always been identified with the Democratic party. Prior to removing to Circleville. Mr. Morris had served as justice of the peace in Walnut township. In the year following his retirement from business, he was elected auditor of Pickaway County and served six years. He has always been active in party matters and fields considerable influence. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows, Foresters and Knights of Pythias.

As printed in History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.