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Show Death Claims Dixie Pioneer of 1867, R. A. Morris Passes Funeral services were held Wednesday in the Tabernacle at 3:30 p.m. for R. A. Morris, 80, who died Tuesday morning at approximately 3 a. m. Mr. Morris had been ill for the past five months. Death was caused by old age and general debility. Fun-j Fun-j eral services were under the direction di-rection of Bishop Arthur K Hafen of the East ward. The opening number, "Blessed Be The Name of Jesus", was given giv-en by a quartette composed of Mr. and Mrs. P. D. Spilsbury, Mrs. Viola Gentry and Dil worth M. Snow, j Prayer was offered by Milton E. Moody of the South ward Bishopric. A vocal solo, "When I Have Reaped What I Have Sown." David H. Morris, by request, spoke a few words on the life of his brother. He told of the early history of the family and of their trip from New York to Salt Lake City and later to St. George. Alex spent his entire life in St. George and has been an active worker in the building-up building-up of this Dixie country", said Mr. Morris. "He worked along the Virgin river and' helped put in the dam that meant so much to the farmers in this section. He worked in civic and church offices of-fices and maintained them and discharged every duty in a fine and creditable way. He was honest with everyone. He never asked a man to do what he would not do himself and he never did unto others as he wouldn't have them do unto him .When he was a young man he assumed much responsibility and stayed with the farm that other members mem-bers of the family might have a fine education. He leaves a fine and large family. His wife has been crippled for fifteen years and he has been very kind to her and she has been just as kind to him. During his illness the famly did everything within their power for him. He s been an active and prominant citizen in this community. May his life be a guide for us". Pres. George F. Whitehead stated that although his body lay here his spirit had gone on. I feel closer to this man than any other man," said President Whitehead. Told of their long association together from the (Continued on page ten) R, A. MORRIS (Contlnuti from flnt pf) time they were very young men. Of their work in Sunday school superintendency and High Council, Coun-cil, and in other fields. Spoke of the honest work on the dam in the Virgin river. "He was a fine honest man and filled every duty faithfully. I don't know that Alex ever had an unkind word said against him. Someone Some-one has said, "Success does not lie in the amount of means, money, mon-ey, property men accumulate, but when he lives so those who know him best love him most then he's Successful." Alex never accumulated accumu-lated much wealth but he was hard-owrklng and held many positions, po-sitions, he made and kept numerous num-erous friends". Vocal solo, "Hold My Hand," Dilworth M. Snow. Arthur Miles, who had associated associ-ated with Alex Morris in the High Council for a number of years paid tribute to his life, to his wife, who, he said, is a very brilliant woman and told of his association with her. Mr. Miles endorsed remarks of the previous speakers and stated that Alex possessed faith, power, desire de-sire and ability and held the Melchesidek Priesthood of God such as the ancient prophets held. Bishop Arthur K. Hafen spoke of ' the love and unity in this family and paid tribute to the life of Alex Morris. Mention of the number of years that the couple had been married, was made by Bishop Hafen. Closing number, "Come Unto Me and1 Rest," by Mrs. Viola Gentry and Mamie Paxman and the closing prayer was offered by Eric Snow of the East ward Bishopric. Richard Alexander Morris was born November 2 6, 1856 at Williamsburg, Wil-liamsburg, New York a son of Richard and Emma Packer Morris. Mor-ris. He came with his parents to Salt Lake City in 1860 and on November 27, 1867 came with them and his brothers and sisters sis-ters to St. George where he has since made his home. He was married in the St. George Temple December 27, 1877 to Miss Henrietta Hen-rietta Adams and to this union ten children were born, five of whom are now living. They are: Richard A. Morris, Jr., Mrs. Leah McArthur; Mrs. Ruth Pickett; Clair Morris and Miss Orpha Morris. As a very young man Richard developed splendid traits of character char-acter and became very active in church, and civic affairs. He served as assistant to Seth Pymn, Sunday school superintendent for some time, was in the High Council ifor more than 25 years, was City Councilman three terms in succession, was a member, of the Washington Field Canal company, com-pany, either as president, vice-president vice-president or board member for many years. He was also County Bee inspector and president of the poultry association. He served as a member of the fair committees commit-tees for a number of years. For over 35 years Richard Morris served as a prompter for home dramatics. He worked several years as night watchman at the St. GeOTge Temple. That his' entire life has been spent in work and service and he has won the love and respect of all who were acquainted with him, is the belief of all who knew him. Besides his wife and children he is survived by 2 5 grandchildren and one (great, great grandchild. Also the following fol-lowing brothers and sisters: D. H. Morris, Esther Whitehead, Ida Seegmiller, Orpha Andrus, Isabella Hardy of St. George and Dora Clark, Delaware, Eva Whitehead White-head Salt Lake City and George Morris of Portland. |
