Orsemus Morrison | |
|---|---|
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| Chicago Alderman from the1st 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 | Ashbel 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 | (1807-06-24)June 24, 1807 Cambridge, New York |
| Died | January 4, 1864(1864-01-04) (aged 56) Chicago, Illinois |
| Resting place | Graceland Cemetery |
| Spouse | |
Orsemus Morrison (1807 – 1864) was an early settler and politician ofChicago.
Morrison was born on June 24, 1807, to a family fromCambridge, New York.[3]
After working on the construction of theErie Canal, he moved fromBuffalo, 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 theChicago 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 firsthead of police from his election until May 2, 1837.[5]
He was elected theCook County Coroner in August 1836,[3][6] having been nominated by theDemocratic Party.[7]
Morrison was elected and served as street commissioner.[3][8]From 1840 to 1841, he served as an alderman from the1st ward of Chicago.[9]
In 1838, he purchased land on the corner ofClark andMadison in Chicago. This later became the location of theMorrison Hotel, the original building of which was built in 1860.[3][10] He made a number of other real estate purchases in Chicago.[3]
AWhig, originally, Morrison became an early member of theRepublican Party.[3]
He was married to the former Lucy Paul on April 7, 1836, inAurora, Erie County, New York.[3] Morrison died in Chicago on January 4, 1864, and was buried atGraceland Cemetery.[5][11] When he died, he was survived by two daughters, Hannah Spofford and Lucy Mills, the latter of whom was married to congressmanDaniel W. Mills.[3][12]
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