Representative Willison White Morrow View All Years

HON. WILLISON WHITE MORROW

Willison White Morrow was born January 4, 1849, in Guernsey county, Ohio, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Morrow. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Roberts, and it was a rather unusual coincident that when he came to select a life partner he should choose a lady of the same name. He had three brothers and four sisters, he being the youngest and the last to pass on.

He came to Union county, Iowa, in 1864 and settled on what is now known as Burr Oak Farm, which remained the family home until 1902, when they moved to Afton, Iowa. He and Mrs. Morrow made Afton their home for twenty years, except during the six years he was state treasurer.

He was married to Elizabeth Roberts, December 14th, 1869. A daughter was born to them who died at the age of two years. They raised two children, Dr. E. E. Roberts, who preceded Mr. Morrow in death two years, and Mrs. Effie Taylor of Pacific Grove, California.

He was elected as state representative from Union county and served in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth General Assemblies. In December, 1898, he was elected director of the State Agricultural Society and served until July 4, 1900, when he was elected director of the State Board of Agriculture, serving in that position until December 10, 1902. He was then elected as president of the State Board of Agriculture and served until December 12, 1906. On January 1, 1907, he assumed the duties of state treasurer and served three terms in that office, or until January 1, 1913. On February 24, 1915, he was elected treasurer of the State Board of Agriculture and served in that position until his death.

Mr. Morrow was a leader, not only in his local community, but in the state. Always active in public life, his influence was always felt. He led a busy, useful life, but was never too busy to give heed to the voice of need, no matter whether it came from friend or foe. His great delight was in helping a fellow being over the rough places in life. During the last few years of his life he took a great delight in teaching a class of boys in Sunday School and the last thing he did on the evening before his death was to study the lesson for the following Sunday.

His death came suddenly on the morning of April 25th, 1922, at the family home in Afton and two days later his remains were laid to rest in Greenlawn cemetery.

It is our desire to quote briefly from a resolution by the State Board of Agriculture, passed shortly after his death, as an appreciation from his coworkers in that organization:

“The history of Iowa would be incomplete without the story of his life. The merit of his true worth and manly qualities were discovered in his early boyhood days. His nearest neighbors first learned to love him because of these qualities and soon his broadmindedness and unselfish motives found a place in the hearts of the citizenship of Union county and finally he became one of the great leaders of the state.

“The earliest recollections we have of Mr. Morrow was his association with men of true character and worth in the affairs of his time. His good judgment was consulted by his immediate friends, his agricultural associates, and his political adherents. The general welfare of Iowa, especially of the Eighth District, was never measured until it had his voice of sanction.

“As officers and directors of the State Board of Agriculture we were impressed by his frank address; his straightforward manner of living; and his plain confidence in the good fellowship of those with whom he met. He loved a true heart and discarded deceit and hypocrisy wherever found.”

Be It Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Fortieth General Assembly: That in the passing of Hon. Willison W. Morrow, this assembly express its realization of the loss of one of the leaders in the state, a man of strong character and sterling worth, a man of high ideals in Christian living, and the House would tender by this resolution its sympathy to the family who survives.

Be It Further Resolved, That a duly enrolled copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of the deceased.

W. J. COLBERT,

A. O. HAUGE,

S. E. FACKLER,

Committee.

Adopted April 12, 1923.