It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made
man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great
struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable
environment, removes one by one the obstacles from his pathway to success
and by the force of his own individuality succeeds in forging his way to the
front and winning for himself a position of esteem and influence among his
fellow men. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the popular citizen of
Marion county, Illinois, to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the
following paragraphs are devoted, and while yet a young man has shown
himself to be able to successfully compete with all classes of men in the
business world.
Ira C. Morris was born in Marion county, May 5,
1883, the second son of William and Elizabeth Morris, whose family consisted
of six children.
Our subject attended the public schools in his
native community where he diligently applied himself and where he made much
headway in his studies. He also went one term to Alma College in Marion
county. After leaving school he decided that the life of the farmer offered
the greatest advantages for a man of his temperament, consequently he soon
entered this work and has devoted his time and undivided attention to it
ever since with the result that he is today one of the most progressive and
substantial of the younger farmers of Kinmundy township, where he owns a
fine and highly productive farm of sixty-seven acres.
Our subject
was united in marriage to Laura Lewella Lamborn, the pleasant and congenial
daughter of I. M. and Margaret Lamborn, both natives of Jasper county,
Indiana. The subject's wife was born in Indiana, being a native of Jasper
county at Rensselaer, November 28, 1882. Her mother is deceased. Mr. Lamborn
is living in Tennessee. Mrs. Morris has three brothers and one sister
living, all married with the exception of one of the brothers. She was
educated in the public schools of her native city and her subsequent life
has been filled with good deeds to others, being a woman of gracious
demeanor and kind hearted to anyone in need.
Two children have been
born to our subject and wife, a boy and a girl, namely: Vera L., whose date
of birth occurred April 16, 1903; and Billie Morris, Jr., who is four years
old, having been born June 20, 1904. They are bright and interesting
children, who are receiving ever care and attention possible at the hands of
their fond parents.
Our subject is a loyal Democrat in his political
affiliations, and while he does not aspire to public office, he takes
considerable interest in political matters always casting his vote for whom
he deems to be the most honest and best fitted to fill local offices, where
the interests of the public must be conserved. Fraternally he is a member of
the Masonic Order, Kinmundy Lodge No. 398, and is junior deacon in the same.
He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Rosedale Lodge
No. 354, at Kinmundy.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 512-513.