This enterprising and progressive agriculturist and leading citizen of the vicinity of Summit, is a man of strong character, well respected by his neighbors, a keen business man, a promoter of good schools and a patriotic man, public spirited and intelligent.
Mason Morris was born in Daviess County, Missouri, on September 5, 1847, being the son of John and Edith (Johnson) Morris, natives of Kentucky, and born June 17, 1809 and 1811, respectively. The mother died in 1867 and the father died in April 1887. He was a prominent farmer and pioneer of Iowa and Ohio.
Mason was taken to Texas when one old and there remained until nineteen. In 1867, he came with his sister’s family to the vicinity of Waitsburg, Washington and then lie worked at teaming and farming for a time and sold his railroad land and went to Dayton. There he operated a milk wagon for a time, then bought a farm and he sold and bought several times until 1884, when he removed to the vicinity of Kendrick and bought land. Here he resided until 1894, when he removed to the reservation and rented land. When it opened, he took his present place, three miles northwest from Summit. He had little capital but has done exceedingly well since then. He produced as high as twenty-seven bushels of flax to the acre this year. Mr. Morris had one brother. Robinson, deceased. He has four sisters dead and one, Mary E., wife of Washington B. Smith, living in Washington.
On December 14, 1871, Mr. Morris married Miss Elizabeth M., daughter of Sanford and Margaret M. (Buchanan) Bramlett. The wedding occurred at Mr. Bramlett’s home. To this marriage there have been born the following children: Charles E., a merchant at Myrtle; Earnest F., Elmer F., Clarence N., John S., Robert M., Dora F., all at home; Ida C, wife of Noah Bechtel, near Summit. Mrs. Morris was born in Ohion County, Tennessee, on December 21, 1848. Her father lives three miles northwest from Summit and is raising stock. Her mother died January 4, 1900. She has the following brothers and sisters: Thomas N., Vandelia, Louise J., Samuel, Laura L., John S., Martha F., Dora A. and Charles A.
Mr. Morris is a man of progressive ideas and has put into execution good energy and wisdom in the care of his business enterprises.
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Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903