Mr. William Morris, Sr., farmer, East Rome Township, aged 79, died Monday at his home. He was born in England and came to this country when 12 years of age, learned the trade of machinist in Paterson, N. J., and afterwards followed it in Pittsburg. There was in Rome township an English settlement and an Irish settlement, the latter being Covenantors. In the former was Benjamin Harrison, an Englishman, and his daughter married William Morris. Mr. Harrison thought a city life was not the one to accumulate prosperity, and so Mr. William Morris bought a farm of one hundred acres, which was partly cleared, called the Vroman farm, agreeing to pay one hundred dollars an acre and afterwards added 90 acres at $1.25 an acre. This was in 1848. Mr. Morris paid for the farm by working at his trade in Pittsburg, Irvineton and Col. Roberts' machine shop, and his son Wm. Jr., looked after the farm and family. According to English custom Mr. Morris gave his sons who staid with him till 21, portions of his farm. He leaves four sons, William Jr., Benjamin, James, John B., and two daughters - Mrs. John Meyers and Mrs. Thomas Sedden. The deceased was never ill a day in his life, and died of old age, without pain or struggle. The funeral took place at 10 o'clock Wednesday, Rev. Mr. Bates officiating. The remains were placed in the English graveyard, situated on the Benjamin Harrison farm.
William Morris died at 523 (525?) Spruce St. last evening, after three yrs of heart trouble. He was 77 yrs, 6 mos. and 5 days of age.
He was born in New Haven, Conn. but spent most of his life in this vicinity. He was married at Vrooman to Miss Fannie Morris who survives him, together with the following children: Harry A. of Sistersville, WV; Albert W. of Vrooman; Miss Gertrude Morris of Vrooman and Miss Mabel Morris residing at home. He was a member I.O.O.F. fraternity. The deceased is survived by the following brothers and sisters, James Buell, Mary J. Sidden, and John J. Markelly.
A prayer service will be held at the home Saturday morning at 11 o'clock, after which the remains will be taken to Harrisons cemetery for interment. Friends will kindly omit flowers.
Mrs. Mary Jane Sedden Passes Away at Home of Daughter, Mrs. Ida Harrison, Early Sunday
Mrs. Mary Jane Sedden, widow of Thomas Sedden, and pioneer resident of Rome township, passed away at 3:15 o'clock, Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ida Harrison, 208 North Washington street, following an attack of pneumonia, although she had been failing in health for the past year or more.
Mrs. Sedden was daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Morris, pioneer residents of Rome township. She was born in Pittsburgh on March 7, 1846, and came to Crawford county with her parents when a small child. Practically all of her long life was spent in Rome township and she was held in high esteem by a wide circle of acquaintances. For many years she was a member of the Vrooman United Presbyterian Church.
On September 2, 1867, the deceased was united in marriage with Thomas Sedden, who passed away on May 2, 1916. To them were born two children, William Truble Sedden, who died at the age of 17 years, and Mrs. Ida Harrison, widow of E. R. Harrison, who died on October 1, last. Mrs. Harrison and her mother moved to Titusville early in October.
Funeral services in memory of Mrs. Sedden will be held from the home of the daughter, 208 North Washington street. Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Dr. F. M. Redinger, pastor of the First M. E. church, officiating and interment following in the Harrison cemetery near Vrooman. Friends are kindly asked to omit sending flowers.
Mrs. Mabel Morris Myersdied at her home in Corry at 4 p. m., yesterday, following an illness of seven months. She was a daughter of William and Emily Morris and was born in Rome township April 12, 1878, where she lived until 1922, when she moved to Corry. In 1925, she was married to Charles Myers. She was a member of the Methodist church and active in the women's societies. Besides the husband, she leaves a step-daughter, Miss Harriet Myersand a sister, Mrs. Gertrude Reynolds, both of Corry, and two brothers, Albert Morris of Centerville and Harry Morris of Cleveland.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, but time and place had not been announced last night. Arrangements by Bracken and Keating.
Special thanks to Kathy Fiely for her time and her meaningful contributions.
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