Joseph Morrow, Jr.
Joseph Morrow, Jr., a pioneer of Grant County, whence he came in 1843, and an esteemed citizen of Marion, has been a witness and participant in the wonderful development of this section of the Hoosier State, and although now living a quiet life, retired from business activities, is still interested in the growth and progress of his community.
Mr. Morrow in his boyhood was denied many of the advantages considered necessary to the education of the youth of today, and his early training or knowledge was secured largely by dint of his own unaided exertion as opportunity was afforded him in connection with the school of hard work. His steadfast determination and industry have enabled him as will herein be further disclosed to make for himself an honorable place in life. He was born September 9, 1838, and was the son of Joseph and Letitia (Smith) Morrow.
He was four years of age when he was brought by his parents to Grant County, and here he received his education in private and public schools. After going to Jonesboro he clerked in the stores of his father and afterward, for several years, in those of other merchants; and subsequently for a time served as firs assistant teacher in the graded school at that place.
In 1866, at the age of twenty- eight years, he was elected clerk of Grant County on the Republican ticket, and continued to serve in that office for four years, and following this was a member of the Grant county bar and thence devoted a portion of his time to the practice of probate law.
Later Mr. Morrow was connected with the North Indiana Conference, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as a minister, but withdrew from the conference at a session held in Ft. Wayne, in 1874. He had joined the church at the age of 18 years at Jonesboro, and was soon made a local preacher and served as such for many years.
In 1898 Mr. Morrow removed to Traverse City, Michigan, where he resided for eight years, at the end of which time he again took up his residence in Marion, Grant County, and soon retired, on account of failing health, from all active secular pursuits.
On March 27, 1864, Mr. Morrow was married to Miss Mary A. Taylor, one of Grant County's school teachers. She was born in England, daughter of William and Mary Ann (Fitch) Taylor, where Mrs. Taylor died. Afterward, in 1849, Mr. Taylor with his children came to the United States and settle din Grant County, Indiana, where he became engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm located between Jonesboro and Fairmount and there his death occurred about five years later.
Mrs. Morrow was the youngest of five children born to her parents, and is now of them the only survivor.
Her father's second marriage was to Rebecca Rich of Grant County, now deceased, by whom he had two children, Joseph, now also deceased; and Eli who lives in Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have three children, the eldest, Flora Elma Baldwin, wife of Dr. M. F. Baldwin, of Marion; and Arthur J., now a member of the city council, of Marion, whose wife was Anna M., daughter of Augustine and Loretta Kem; and Alcinda Estella, wife of Thomas H. Sherman, a merchant of Traverse City, Michigan, where they now reside. Mr. Morrow's character is so well known and so fully to be inferred from the foregoing as to make particular reference to it here unnecessary.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.