Theophilus Morris

    Theophilus Morris, a prominent and successful farmer, residing on Section 34, Harrison Township, has been identified with the interests of Blackford County for a period of forty years. He is a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, born August 27, 1822, a son of Jonathan and Maria (Bryce) Morris, who were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania. When he was eleven years of age his parents removed to Guernsey County, Ohio  and there he was reared to manhood, his youth being passed in working on a farm. His education was received in the subscription schools of his neighborhood.

    He was first married to Miss Susanna Gurn, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Delight (Fuller) Gurn, and top them were born two children, named, Mary and Nancy. Mr. Morris came to Blackford County in the spring of 1847, leaving Guernsey County, Ohio, April 18 of that year. He commenced life here on a heavily timbered tract of eighty acres, which was at the time of his settlement entirely unimproved. He first built a log cabin 18 x 20 feet in size, and began clearing and improving his land. His wife died in September, 1859, and in 1860 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Laning, who died in 1872, leaving at her death six children, named Robert, Maria, Lillie, Charles, Arthur and James. Mr. Morris was again united in marriage in 1879 to Mrs. Rebecca Ann Lewis. She was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1837, a daughter of Abraham and Emily Emshwiller, who were among the pioneers of Blackford County, settling here in 1838. When she was eighteen years of age she married John Holland. By her second marriage, with Mr. Lewis, she had three children -Elmer Lee, Byron and Lavarah L.

     Since coming to the county Mr. Morris has made many improvements and has added largely to his original purchase until he has now 400 acres of Blackford County's best soil The log cabin of pioneer days has been replaced by a comfortable and commodious frame residence, well furnished, and the entire surroundings indicate the care and thrift of the owner. His land is almost all cleared, and is divided into fields for the raising of stock and grain.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.