William A. Morris

WILLIAM A. MORRIS. - One of the successful but unassuming members of the Kansas bar, William A. Morris, of Kansas City, Kansas, has won an excellent reputation for skill and ability in the practice of the legal profession, and holds high rank among the leading men of his community. A son of Lorenzo Morris, he was born October 5, 1857, in Fayette county, Ohio, where his earlier life was spent.

A native of Ohio, Lorenzo Morris was born in 1834, in Clinton county. Becoming a farmer from choice, he located in Fayette county, where he cleared and improved a good farm, continuing in his pleasant occupation until his death, in Ohio, in 1906. He was a man of honest integrity, much respected throughout the community, and was a trustworthy member of the Methodist Protestant church. He was a Republican in politics, but never an aspirant for public office. He married Deborah Plummer, who was born in Kentucky, in 1838, and died in Ohio in 1884. Six children were born of their union, as follows: William A., the special subject of this brief biography; Walter; Jonathan; Olive; Elwood; and David.

Completing the course of study in the schools of his native county, William A. Morris attended Adrain College, in Adrain, Michigan, after which he studied law with Hon. Mills Gardiner, at Washington Court House, Ohio. At Columbus, Ohio, in April, 1881, he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession in Wichita, Kansas. Locating at Kansas City, Kansas, in 1895, Mr. Morris has lived here since, and as a lawyer has met with unquestioned success, his legal accomplishments and skill being recognized by his large clientele. He is a staunch Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Protestant church, trustee of the Kansas City University, and a member of the executive committee of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Mr. Morris married, June 17, 1886, Cora M. Miller, who was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of four children, namely: Edith, Grace, Willard and Margaret.