CAPTAIN J. P. MORRIS - Biographical Sketch History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of McLennan, Falls, Bell, and Coryell Counties; Published in 1893; Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago, IL Submitted by Mary Love Berryman marylove@tyler.net Captain J. P. Morris. -- Among the prominent old settlers of Coryell county, Texas, none are better known than this gentleman. He has long been identified with the stock and farming interests of the county, and is ranked with its wealthiest and most influential farmers. Captain Morris was born in Franklin county, Tennessee, July 12, 1834. His father James Morris, was born in the same State in 1798; was engaged in agricultural pursuits there, and with only an ordinary education succeeded well; accumulated a nice property and passed a useful life. He was a son of John Morris, who was born in 1755; was a Revolutionary soldier, a farmer, and a leading member of the Primitive Baptist Church. John Morris and his wife were the parents of seven children of whom James was the oldest. At the age of twenty two years James Morris was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John A. Farmer, a Revolutionary patriot. The children of this union are: John, who died in 1866; Mary Jane, wife of A. G. Green, a resident of Brown county this State; Robert who died in 1856; Joseph, who died in 1882; J. P., the subject of our sketch; Sarah L., deceased was married three times, her husbands beeing W. M. Wade, John A. Winn, and C. M. Wilcox, respectively; Eliza, widow of A. J. Johnson. Captain Morris was reared by his widowed mother, receiving only limited educational advantages, attending school when he could spare time from the crop. At the age of twenty he came to Texas for the purpose of going into the stock business. On his arrival here, he located in Coryell county near Oglesby, bought some stock and began operations. Two years later his mother and two sisters followed him, and the family home was estaablished here. His herds grew until at one time he possessed a thousand head of cattle. When the war came on he turned his stock over to an old employe to be cared for while he should enlist in the army. He became a member of Colonel Gurley's Thirtieth Texas Cavalry, and was commisioned a First Lieutenant. General Hindman sent him a commission to raise a company, which he did; but owing to his youth he did not feel like accepting its Captaincy. His service was mostly in Arkansas, Missouri, Indian Territory and Louisiana. He was promoted to Captain in Bosqueville, McLennan county, in May, 1862. The regiment saw some hard service at Poison Springs, Roseville, Flat Rock, Cabin Creek, and elsewhere. In May, 1865 the forces with which he was engaged returned to Texas, and at the mouth of the Little Brazos river were disbanded. On his return home from the war Captain Morris found his cattle nearly all scattered and gone, only about a hundred head remaining. These he sold and turned his attention to farming and raising horses. In 1886 he traded his large farm for his present ranch of 1,571 acres, and engaged in raising sheep. To this industry he is devoting his whole time, and is meeting with eminent success in his operations. The Captain is a man who keeps himself well posted and abreast of the times. Politically, he adhers to the principles of the Alliance, and has served the County Assembly as President for two years. In 1857 he married Sarah C., daughter of John Redwine of Georgia. Their children are Joseph, William, James W., Sarah L., John R., and Albert E. William married Bettie Cox. The Captain is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Note by Mary Love Berryman: There are errors in this biography. The following is the ancestry of Captain J. P. Morris: J. (James) P. Morris, b 12 July 1834, m Sarah Redwine, 1857 son of James Frame, b ca 1800, d ca 1840 & Mary Frame, b 1802, daughter of John Frame & Elizabeth son of John H. Morris, b ca 1776 d 1858, Franklin Co, TN & Mary (Betsy) Dobbins, daughter of James Dobbins & Elizabeth Stephenson son of John Morris d 1809, Pendleton Dist, SC, wife Baylis Sources: Deeds, Wills, Estate, and Bible Records located in the GenWeb Archives of the counties of record.