CYRUS MORROW. Some writer has said that the most prominent characteristics of the Scotch-Irish are stern integrity,high sense of duty, hatred of tyranny, the defense of liberty and the love of God. Of such a grand old race is the subject of this memoir descended, William Morrow, his great-grandfather, the first of the family to come to America, having been born in the North of Ireland, where he married a native of the same locality.Here,some of their children were born, and in an early day the family immigrated to the shores of Columbia, making their way westward to Washington county, Penn., where they found a settlement near Hillsborough, in West Bethlehem township. George Morrow, grandfather of Cyrus, was born in the North of Ireland, and came to the United States with the family. His earlier life was passed in Bethlehem township, his later days in Donegal township, this county, he having settled on a farm of Dutch fork of Buffalo creek, about one mile above where it empties into Big Buffalo creek. Here he successfully followed farming during the rest of his pioneer life. In West Bethlehem township he had married Hester Poole, who bore him children, as follows: David, Abraham, Noah, Thomas , Elizabeth, Matilda and Mary, all of whom attained adult age , except Thomas, who died young, and three of them are yet living, viz.: Matilda (married to Milton Lamborn, of Washington, D.C.),and David and Noah (both residents of Licking county, Ohio). Some time after his marriage George Morrow brought his parents from West Bethlehem to his farm in Donegal, where they peacefully ended their days.
Abraham Morrow, father of Cyrus, was born in 1816, in West Bethlehem township, this county, where he was reared to the farm life, his education being secured at the subscription schools of the locality of his birth. About 1841 he married Jane De France, a native of Washington county, born on Raccoon creek, June 19, 1821, a daughter of Allison De France, and to this union were born seven children, as follows: Cyrus; Salem and Parmelia Ann ( both living with their widowed mother); Ellen, deceased at the age of twelve years; a son that died in infancy; Perry, living with his mother, and Albert, a farmer in Donegal township. After marriage Abraham Morrow resided for some years in the last named township, near Atchison post office, then moved to Licking county, Ohio, near Kirkersville, whence, after a residence of a few years, he returned to his native county and finally settled on the home farm. Here, on February 12, 1888, he passed from earth, and here his widow, now aged seventy-one years , is calmly awaiting the final summons. Abraham Morrow during his lifetime was one of the best known men of his township. As a citizen he was public spirited, and interested in the advancement and welfare of his community. Quiet and unassuming in his way, kind and charitable in disposition, an exemplary Christian, he won universal respect and esteem. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Christian ( or Disciple) Church. In Licking county, Ohio, there was no organized congregation of this church, and he, with a few others, became the founder of one; he was chosen elder, and later he, in the company of a few others, at considerable personal sacrifice built a meeting house. After his return from Ohio, he was an elder in the church here until his death. He was also instrumental in the erection of the Dutch Fork church and parsonage.
Cyrus Morrow was born February 3, 1844, in Donegal township, this county, near the present post office of Atchison, and here, under his father¹s careful tuition, he learned the art of husbandry, and received a very fair common-school education. On August 26, 1874, he was married to Elizabeth Condit, a native of Amwell township, this county, born July 1, 1853, a daughter of Cephas and Mary ( Bane) Condit, of that township. This union has been blessed with seven children, all yet living under the parental roof, their names being Minnie E., Franklin S., Garfield B., Albert G., Earle, Ethel, and Elizabeth J.. After marriage Mr. Morrow purchased the George W. Guy farm, situated on the Dutch fork of Buffalo creek, a short distance from where it empties into Big Buffalo creek. Mr. Morrow is not only a general farmer on a large scale, but is also one of the most extensive wool growers in his township. As the eldest of a family of boys who work together, he has had the care and responsibility of some large deals, and by his business sagacity, excellent judgment and well-known ability as a financier has been instrumental in keeping the family estate in a highly creditable shape. Despite the financial crisis of 1857 which crippled so many, including Mr. Morrow¹s father, they succeeded by strenuous efforts in pulling through, and placing their affairs once more on a solid foundation. Today the ³Morrow boys,² as they are familiarly known¹ have few equals in the county for industry, economy, honesty, and public spiritedness. In his political predilections our subject is a staunch Republican, influential in the party, and has filled various offices in his township with eminent ability.
Text taken from page 312 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Thomas Shultz of Nashville, TN as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]