Western Recorder Newspaper (Southern Baptist)---May 7, 1891

John Morris, Sr., (May 6, 1812 – April 7, 1891) was born in Woodford County, KY; died in Henry County at 2 a.m. When quite young this brother left Woodford County and came to Henry County, settling some miles west of New Castle. In the year 1834, under the earnest and pungent preaching of old Father McGuire, Bro. Morris was brought by the Spirit of grace to realize his helpless condition and was enabled to trust in Christ alone for salvation. Soon afterwards he related his Christian experience to the church at Hillsboro, Henry County, then but recently organized by Bro. McGuire, and was baptized with others into the fellowship of same. In June 183_, Bro. Morris was united by marriage to Miss Martha Gillman, a most estimable companion and faithful Christian helpmeet in the long years ensuing up to the time of his decease.

Of ten children, seven daughters and three boys, one of whom died early in life, nine live to revere the memory of their devoted father. On March 27, 1890, the cyclone, so memorable all over the country, unroofed our church house (Hillsboro) and otherwise injuring it as to make it necessary to tear down the walls and build it over. "Uncle John" as he was familiarly called in the neighborhood, took great interest in the work, hoping to live a number of years to worship God with his brethren in the new house, but sad to say he never reached the place until his body was carried there by the undertaker.

His funeral was preached by Bro. W. W. Foree at the church of his devotion to a large and sympathetic congregation of relatives, neighbors and friends. After which his body was laid to rest in the Odd Fellow's (Sulphur) Cemetery, near Sulphur to await the resurrection morn.

Contributed by: E. T. "Hammer" Smith