THE MORRISON FAMILY. The professional, social and personal history of Monongahela City would be incomplete without a sketch of the Morrison Brothers, whose personality has been so long familiar, and still so fresh, in the recollection of most of our citizens; and whose memory is so much revered and cherished by them. They were the sons of John Morrison, who was born in 1789, near Londonderry, Ireland, whence he emigrated to the United States about 1811, settling near the Mingo Creek Presbyterian church. On February 29, 1820, he married Margaret Porter, daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Porter, who resided on a farm about two miles from Williamsport (now Monongahela), Penn. A short time after their marriage they removed to a farm situated two and one-half miles above Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., on the Monongahela river. On this farm all the children of John and Margaret (Porter) Morrison were born. This farm was sold by Mr. Morrison in the spring of 1837, at which time he removed to Monongahela, Washington county, with his family, purchased real estate and made it their future permanent home. Mr. Morrison died October 16, 1837, aged forty-eight years, leaving his widow (Margaret) with a family of six children, all of whom have passed to the other side, with the exception of Eliza, the eldest child, born January 11, 1821, and married to William J. Alexander, of Monongahela, November 14, 1844. Mrs. Alexander is the last living representative of her generation of the Morrison family.
Mrs. Margaret (Porter) Morrison (born November, 1798), after having lived to educate her family (excepting James Cust who died in infancy), and see them grow up around her to adult age under her own guidance and example, becoming useful and honored citizens, and members of society; enjoying their love and tenderness through a long and happy life, passed peacefully away, September 18, 1882, aged eighty-four years. The children of John and Margaret (Porter) Morrison were as follows: Eliza, born January 11, 1821; Joseph Scott, born July 5, 1824, died April 20, 1886; Mathew Porter, born December 14, 1826, died November 10, 1885; Andrew Porter, born November 2, 1829, died November 5, 1890; Jane, born December 8, 1832, died February 17, 1871; James Cust, born September 15, 1835, died October 6, 1837. JOSEPH SCOTT MORRISON graduated at Washington College, Washington, Penn., in the class of 1844; read law with Hon. T. M. T. McKennan; admitted to the Washington county bar 1847; shortly after became a member of the Allegheny county bar at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he practiced law up to the time of his death, April 20, 1886.
ANDREW PORTER MORRISON graduated at Washington College in the class of 1849; read law with his brother Joseph, and with Judge William McKennan, from 1852 to 1854. He was associated in the practice of law with his brother, Joseph S., at Pittsburgh, from 1854 to 1861. On May 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps; was made a corporal, and was promoted July, 1862, to be sergeant-major; was desperately wounded at the battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862; was mustered out with his regiment May 12, 1864. He was historian of the Ninth Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves. At the dedication of the Gettysburg Monument, his address elicited high encomiums as a carefully prepared and accurate historical paper. After the war, Major Morrison resumed the practice of law, associated (as formerly) with his brother Joseph, until the death of the latter in 1886, afterward conducting the practice alone. Having been warned of the dangers of heart trouble, he gradually gave up his law practice, refusing new business, and rapidly closing up his docket, when suddenly overtaken by death. On September 11, 1866, he was married to Miss Rebecca S. H. Davis, of Allegheny. Residing in Allegheny, he and his wife became members of the North Presbyterian Church, then under the care of Dr. A. A. Hodge. After the death of his wife (born in 1839, died September 5, 1877) he returned to the old family homestead in Monongahela City, which was his earthly home until his departure for the heavenly, whither he was preceded by his home circle, except his greatly beloved sister Eliza, the wife of William J. Alexander, Esq. Major Morrison changed his membership from Allegheny to the First Presbyterian Church, Monongahela City, September 8, 1878. By the unanimous voice of his church associates he was elected a ruling elder, which office, after due consideration, he accepted, and was ordained March 31, 1889. Andrew P. Morrison was a man of the highest type; the moral atmosphere which surrounded him was pure, the example he set was helpful. His instincts were all gentle; his manner urbane; his friendship as true as gold; his career was that of honorable manhood, respected citizenship, unquestioned morality and professional integrity.
DR. MATHEW PORTER MORRISON. As a fitting sketch, we take the liberty to make the following extracts from a paper prepared by Rev. William O. Campbell, D. D., for a memorial volume of Dr. Morrison, late of Monongahela. He received his first academic training at home in the academy conducted by the Rev. E. S. Blake, and T. R. Hazzard, Esq. He was a graduate of Washington College in the class of 1847. Among his classmates were the Hon. James G. Blaine; John H. Hampton, of Pittsburgh; Alexander Wilson, Esq., of Washington, Penn.; Hon. William H. H. Pusey, of Iowa, and Dr. John H. Storer, of West Virginia. After leaving college he was engaged in teaching school for a short time at home. Having read a course of medicine with Dr. Samuel M. King, he attended a full course of lectures for two years at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and received his degree of "Doctor of Medicine" in the spring of 1851. He subsequently attended special courses of lectures, and hospital practice, in Philadelphia and Boston. In May, 1851, he opened an office for the practice of his profession at the "Old Home" in Monongahela: Not long afterward he became associated in practice, as a partner, with Dr. R. F. Biddle. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, Dr. Morrison joined the Union army in the field, August 6, 1861, as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Rowley's "Old Thirteenth." He was promoted to surgeon with the rank of major September 12, 1862, and at the close of the war was mustered out June 28, 1865, being at the time surgeon of the Second Division of the Sixth Corps. His professional life covers a period of nearly thirty-five years of active and arduous practice all, save the four years in the army, among his friends and neighbors in the vicinity of the "Old Home." Col. Hazzard, in The Republican, gave expression to the feelings of many hearts when he penned this tribute to his memory: "Of his worth as a friend; his judgment and sagacity as a physician; his learning as a scholar; his integrity and nobility of character in the walks of civil life; and of his devotion to his country as a soldier; his warm-hearted friendship; his stern adherence to right living and thinking; of the warm place he held in the hearts of the families he visited, both as physician and friend of these things, we need not speak they are the choicest memories of this sad hour in a thousand hearts. Dr. M. P. Morrison brought to his profession a mind thoroughly familiar with the principles and practice of medicine. He honored the profession in which he was eminently successful. His death brings a genuine sorrow, brightened only by the words which his lips framed almost with his last breath, 'Not my will, but Thine.'" Extract from a letter of Hon. J. G. Blaine: "It was a great surprise and personal sorrow to me. Though we have seen each other but twice since our graduation (more than thirty-eight years ago), I have a strong impression of his qualities of mind and heart, and a vivid recollection of his person. He was a gentle spirit kind, considerate and generous tenderly regarded by his class- mates. I always felt he had chosen wisely in his profession. I can well imagine that his ministrations in the sick-room were a great solace to patients. To lose such a brother must be a lasting grief, and I tender you my sincere condolence."
Text taken from page 141 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]