John K. Morris

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John K. Morris
Portrait from the 1965–1966 Illinois Blue Book
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1947 (1947) – January 11, 1967 (1967-01-11)
Constituency
  • At-large (1965–1967)
  • 34th district (c. 1956)
Personal details
Born(1909-06-03)June 3, 1909
Lanark, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 15, 1995(1995-01-15) (aged 85)
Mount Carroll, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Ealy F. Grob
(m. 1937; died 1991)
Children2
Residence(s)Chadwick, Illinois, U.S.

John K. Morris (June 3, 1909 – January 15, 1995) was an American politician. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives between 1947 and 1967. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served as justice of the peace from Carroll County.

Early life and education[edit]

Morris was born on June 3, 1909, in Rock Creek Township. He graduated from Lanark High School in 1928, and received a Bachelor of Science in agriculture form the University of Illinois.[1]

Political career[edit]

Before being elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, Morris served as a justice of the peace.[2]

Illinois House of Representatives[edit]

Morris was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1946 for the 12th district. He ran against two Republican candidates as a Democrat.[3][4] As a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, he advocated for farmers' interests and tax reforms.[5]

In 1955, Morris lead a filibuster in objection to bills that would authorize the construction of a large Chicago convention hall. The filibuster lasted a week and a half.[6][7]

During the at-large 1964 Illinois House of Representatives election, Morris and 76 others were endorsed by the Better Government Association.[8]

Personal life and death[edit]

Morris resided in Chadwick, Illinois.[9] Alongside politics, he was a farmer, real estate agent, and insurance broker.[4] He had two children with his wife Ealy F. Grob, whom he married in 1937. Morris died at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mount Carroll, Illinois, on January 15, 1995.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Obituary for John K. Morris". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. January 16, 1995. p. 118. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Supervisor Report—State of Illinois". The Lanark Gazette. Lanark, Illinois. April 19, 1951. p. 2. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Specimen Ballot for Members of the General Assembly, Twelfth District for Representatives". The Stephenson Farmer. Lena, Illinois. October 24, 1946. p. 10. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Biographical Sketch of John K. Morris". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, Illinois. October 30, 1964. p. 32. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "The At-Large Election". Freeport Journal-Standard. Freeport, Illinois. October 13, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "2 Legislators End Filibuster At Springfield". The Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. June 15, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "Peace Appeals Turned Down By Both Sides". The Daily Register. Harrisburg, Illinois. June 9, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "BGA Endorses 77 In At-Large Race". Freeport Journal-Standard. Freeport, Illinois. October 24, 1964. p. 12. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Powell, Paul (ed.). Illinois Blue Book (1965-1966 ed.). p. 278. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.