This story is a collaboration between myself and Carolyn Hess, who is a great grand-daughter of George N. Morris.

George N. Morris was born February 1880 in Missouri as George N. Cole. He was born to a relationship between George N. Morris, Physician, b.abt 1839 in Alabama and d.aft 1885 and Mary Margaret (Simpson) Cole-Ford-Shrode b.Dec 1855 in Warrick Co., IN & d.abt 1917-1918 in Pettigrew, Madison Co., AR.

Mary Margaret Ford, at the time, was living at the residence of George Morris, Physician, after she left her husband, James F. Ford aka Jack, sometime between 1875-1876. After having George in Feb 1880, he was named George Cole, name of her previous husband. George's name was later changed to George N. Morris, thus indicating his "real" father. This relationship has now been proven through Y-DNA analysis, through a son of George N. Morris by his great grand-daughter, Carolyn Hess.

An explanation of his actual birthdate is in order and may not satisfy everyone. The first documentation of his birth occurs on the 1880 Federal Census, where he is shown having been born in Missouri and the age is listed as 4/12 or 4 months old. The 1880 Census was enumerated on 4 June 1880, thereby giving us his birth date of Feb 1880. On that census, it states to the right of the birthdate he was born in Oct, but that is impossible. The census taker added 4 months to June to come up with October. Well, census takers and quite a few people in this area of of the census, at the time, were not very educated. In the 1900 census, it shows 20 Nov 1880 and his WWI Draft Registration states 21 Nov 1881, and the gravestone states 20 Nov 1894.

George N. Morris was a man that not even his family knew much about. Stories are he was a very hard man, mean, and rugged, but very hard working. Carolyn, his great grand-daughter relates a story from the family that when George left the house for business, he would set a plate with a knife and fork crossed on the plate and turn his coffee cup upside down, meaning he would return. He was very superstitious. No one ever knew where he was going or when he was coming back.

I don't really believe George ever knew his real birthdate and, apparently, nor did his children, as noted by the gravestone.

One thing is very clear in this story, based on our research, wherever his mother, Mary Margaret, lived, George was very close by. He was obviously very devoted to his mother, as I believe can be seen by the photo, owned by Carolyn Hess, that I have posted.

George N. Morris was married twice in his life and had 15 children, which I will list, without spouses, at this time.

Spouse #1: Married Eliza Jane Hattabaugh on 19 Nov 1895 in Washington Co., AR. Eliza was b.14 Sep 1875 in Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., IN & d.8 Mar 1958 in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., AR.

Children:

1. Carrie Morris b.1 Sep 1896 in Arkansas & d.11 Sep 1933 in Fort Smith, Sebastien Co., AR.

2. Mary Morris b.3 Jun 1899 in Mill Creek, Madison Co., AR & d. 8 Jul 1958 in Jenny Lind, Sebastian Co., AR.

3. Lillian Morris b.5 Sep 1900 b.Sunset Crittenden Co., AR & d.15 Mar 1970 in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., AR.

4. John W. Morris b.8 Mar 1902 in Arkansas & d.15 Aug 1937 in Sebastian Co., AR.

5. Charley Eugene Morris b.4 May 1903 & d.Madison Co., AR & d.5 Oct 1932 in Madison Co., AR.


Spouse #2: Married Zona Hinkle on 8 Mar 1910 in Snowball, Searcy Co., AR. Zona was b.1 Dec 1895 in Arkansas & d.15 Aug 1967 in Lawrence, Douglas Co., KS.

Children:

1. Everett D. Morris b.23 Dec 1912 in Searcy Co., AR & d.unknown

2. Louis A. Morris b.25 May 1918 in Searcy Co., AR & d.16 Feb 2007 in Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR.

3. Alma Morris b.13 Dec 1922 in Madison Co., AR & d.11 Dec 1998 in Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS.

4. John C. Morris b.13 Dec 1922 in Madison Co., AR & d.19 Aug 1989 in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO.

5. Zona Morris b.abt 1922 in Arkansas & d.abt 2004

6. George Roy Morris b.30 Aug 1925 in Pettigrew, Madison Co., AR & d.10 Jun 2011 in Lawrence, Douglas Co., KS.

7. Coy Roy Morris b.26 Jan 1926 in Madison or Johnson Co., AR & d.13 Oct 2000 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO.

8. Doy Morris b.5 Jun 1930 in Johnson Co., AR & d.7 Jan 1997 in Weaubleau, Hickory Co., MO.

9. Hoyt Morris b.14 Jan 1934 in Johnson Co., AR & d.21 Feb 1996 in Gainesville, Ozark Co., AR.

10. Last Living Son - private


One thing is certain, now you know why there are so many Morris's in the world.


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Many thanks to Bea Smith for allowing me to manage this memorial of George Morris.
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