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American politician (1807–1864) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orsemus Morrison (1807 – 1864) was an early settler and politician of Chicago.
Orsemus Morrison | |
---|---|
Chicago Alderman from the 1st Ward | |
In office 1840–1841 | |
Preceded by | James A. Smith/ Oliver H. Thompson |
Succeeded by | John Davlin/ Charles Follansbee |
Coroner of Cook County | |
In office 1836–1838 | |
Preceded by | Asahel Steele |
Succeeded by | John K. Boyer |
High Constable of Chicago | |
In office August 1835 – May 2, 1837 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | John Shrigley |
Personal details | |
Born | Cambridge, New York | June 24, 1807
Died | January 4, 1864 56) Chicago, Illinois | (aged
Resting place | Graceland Cemetery |
Spouse |
Lucy Paul (m. 1836) |
Morrison was born on June 24, 1807, to a family from Cambridge, New York.[3]
After working on the construction of the Erie Canal, he moved from Buffalo, New York, to Chicago in early 1833.[3]
His early work in Chicago was as a carpenter and contractor.[3] One project he worked on was dredging the mouth of the Chicago River.[3]
On August 15, 1835 he was elected the first High Constable and High Collector of Chicago.[4] As High Constable, he was the city's first head of police from his election until May 2, 1837.[5]
He was elected the first Cook County Coroner.[3] He had been elected to the office in 1836, nominated by the Democratic Party.[6]
Morrison was elected and served as street commissioner.[3][7] From 1840 to 1841, he served as an alderman from the 1st Ward of Chicago.[8]
In 1838, he purchased land on the corner of Clark and Madison in Chicago. This later became the location of the Morrison Hotel, the original building of which was built in 1860.[3][9] He made a number of other real estate purchases in Chicago.[3]
A Whig, originally, Morrison became an early member of the Republican Party.[3]
He was married to the former Lucy Paul on April 7, 1836, in Aurora, Erie County, New York.[3] Morrison died in Chicago on January 4, 1864, and was buried at Graceland Cemetery.[5][10] When he died, he was survived by two daughters, Hannah Spofford and Lucy Mills, the latter of whom was married to congressman Daniel W. Mills.[3][11]
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