James M. Morris
James M. Morris, merchant, post office Des Arc, was born in Old Virginia, Louisa County, in 1842, and is the son of James M. and Mary (Crank) Morris, who were farmers and large slave owners, dying in 1887, and leaving six children. James M. received a good school education in his native State, and at his maturity the Civil War broke out, and he shouldered his gun in the defense of his native home, enlisting in 1861, in Company D, Forty-fourth Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. Scott, in which he served until the close of the war, in 1865. He was wounded in 1864, and was discharged, but being of a daring and brave disposition, he could not remain at home while his country needed help, so he accepted the position in the post office department at the hospital of Chimborazo, Richmond, Va. He received three wounds, one in the head, a scalp wound, the second in the leg, and the third in the neck, the ball passing down and lodging in the shoulder, where it now remains, and at times Mr. Morris suffers intense pain from its effects, his arm at times becomes paralyzed. He was in nearly all the principal battles that were fought in the East, being all the time in Stonewall Jackson’s and R. E. Lee’s Corps of the East. He came west shortly after the close of the war, locating in Washington County, near Potosi, and engaged in the saw mill business, at which he was very successful. About 1878 he purchased large lumber interests in this county, and opened up a store in Williamsville, Mo., but finally moved to Des Arc, purchasing some town property and opening a store, and dealing in lumber, buying and selling for the Northern markets, etc. He owns a storehouse well stocked with a general stock of merchandise of about $8,000 in value, containing such goods as are kept in first-class stores. He also owns a fine dwelling, and five other lots. He married in 1869, Miss Eugenia H. Phillips, daughter of George and Susan Phillips of Essex County, VA., who died, leaving their daughter as an orphan at a very tender age. There are five children living from this union viz: George W., James C., Monson M., Walter B. and Mary S. Mr. Morris was very unfortunate to lose his wife in 1886. He is a member of the Baptist Church.