Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JOHN
C. MORRISON
When Donald Morrison left his
native shire of Inverness in Scotland to seek a home in the newer country of
America, he established himself on a tract of raw land in Glengarry county, Ontario, and there he lived the quiet life of a
farmer. A man of deep religious spirit, he was faithful in his obligations as a
member of the Presbyterian Church, and reared his family to habits of Christian
living. Among his children was a son, J. D., who was born and reared in
Glengarry county, and there followed the trade of a carpenter, later taking up
work as a contractor and builder. Of recent years he has made his home in Santa
Clara, Cal., in retirement from business cares. The lady whom he married, Mary
Cameron, was also a native of Glengarry and of Scotch descent, being a daughter
of John Cameron, who emigrated from the Isle of Skye, Inverness-shire, to
Canada and settled on a farm in the county of Glengarry. At the ages
respectively of sixty-five and sixty, J. D. Morrison and wife are in the
enjoyment of fair health, and possess the esteem of acquaintances and the
warmer regard of friends. Of their twelve children ten are living, namely: J.
C., of Santa Clara; Donald, who has remained in Ontario; Kenneth and Angus, who
are partners in the contracting and building business at Santa Clara; Norman, a
graduate of the Cooper Medical College with the class of 1904; Lewis, an architect with the Pacific
Manufacturing Company; Sarah, a nurse in St. Luke’s hospital at San Jose; Annie,
Mrs. David Wallace, of San Jose; Mrs. Cassie Bradley, of Assiniboia,
Northwest Territory; and Lolla, a stenographer
employed by the Pacific Manufacturing Company of Santa Clara.
In Glengarry county, Canada, J. C.
Morrison was born April 4, 1862, and there he attended the public schools.
Under the oversight of his father he learned the carpenter’s trade while yet a
boy, and his knowledge was further extended by a study of architecture and
drafting. After working with his father for a time he became superintendent of
the planing (sic) mill at Maxwell, Ontario, and
continued in that position until his removal from Canada. In December, 1886, he
came to California, where he was employed in a planing
(sic) mill at Los Angeles. July of 1887 found him in Oakland, where he worked
for Robert Smiley as foreman of the building of the Oakland high school and
later continued with him on other jobs. Resigning there in October, 1890, he
removed to Santa Clara and has since been superintendent of the planing (sic) mill of the Pacific Manufacturing Company,
with from seventy-five to one hundred men under him. His position is one of
great responsibility, but he has proved himself the right man in the right
place, and has discharged every duty not only with fidelity, but also with
intelligence and accuracy.
While residing in Maxwell, Ontario,
J. C. Morrison married Miss Emma Edgar, who was born there and died in Santa
Clara, leaving six children, Carrie, Maude, Annie, Grace, Clarence and Belle.
February 9, 1904, Mr. Morrison was united in marriage with Mrs. May Kennedy, a
native of Pennsylvania, but a resident of San Francisco. The family
make their home at No. 1295 Liberty street, in a residence erected by
Mr. Morrison. On the organization of the Santa Clara Commercial league he
became a charter member and also for a time served on its board of directors.
Since becoming a citizen of the United States he has given his allegiance to
the Republican party. In religion a Presbyterian, he
is a member of the church of that denomination at Santa Clara, where he acts as
secretary of the board of trustees and formerly served as Sunday-school
superintendent. His fraternal connections are numerous and important and
include membership in the Knights of the Maccabees,
Woodmen of the World, Women of Woodcraft, lodge, encampment and Order of Rebekahs, in the Odd Fellow; and lodge and Eastern Star in
Masonry. He was made a Mason in Pomona Lodge No. 242, F. & A. M., at Santa
Clara, in which he is past master. In Lodge No. 195, O. E. S., at Santa Clara,
he is past patron. His association with Odd Fellowship dates from his
initiation in True Fellowship Lodge No. 238, in which he has been
representative to the Grand Lodge and also serves as past grand, in addition to
being a member of the board of trustees having charge of the Odd Fellows home
at Thermalito, Butte county, this state.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 319-320. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2014 Cecelia M. Setty.