Hon. Lorenzo MorrIs,
the only
Democrat ever
elected to the State
Senate from the
district in the
southwestern corner
of the State of New
York, was born at
Smithfield, Madison
County,
August 14, 1817. His
parents removed to
near Mayville, in
Chautauqua County,
in 1829, when he was
only twelve years
old. He received his
education in the
public schools,
beginning in the log
schoolhouse and
finishing in the
Academy at Mayville,
from which he was
graduated in 1836.
He taught school
while studying law,
and practiced in the
inferior courts for
three years before
his admission to the
Bar, in 1844, by the
Supreme Court.
During this period
he resided in
Jamestown, but after
his admission he
returned to
Mayville, where he
practiced his
profession until
1852. He then
removed to Fredonia,
which was his home
during the remainder
of his life.
His remarkable
ability soon brought
him to the front in
his profession. He
was a thorough
lawyer, a master of
his profession, a
powerful advocate
before judge or
jury, and a
gentleman of the
most stainless honor
and unquestioned
integrity. He was a
member of the
Masonic fraternity.
He was always a
Jeffersonian
Democrat, and one of
the ablest in the
State. He served as
Justice of the Peace
and Justice of
Sessions. In 1867 he
accepted the
Democratic
nomination for State
Senator, and was
elected, being, as
stated above, the
only Democrat who
ever represented
Chautauqua County in
that body. He made a
splendid record in
the Senate, and was
one of the
recognized leaders,
being a veritable
giant in debate. In
1856 he was
appointed Postmaster
at Fredonia by
President Pierce,
and served through
President Buchanan's
administration also.
He was removed after
the Republicans came
into power, having
held the office for
six years. He was a
member of the Board
of Local Managers of
the State Normal
School from its
establishment until
his death, and was
for several years
its president. He
was also for two
years a trustee of
the State Insane
Hospital at Buffalo.
He was a Democrat of
State reputation,
and served as
delegate to
Democratic State
arid National
conventions, and was
for many years
Chairman of the
Democratic County
Committee.
He was fond of
telling his
experiences, and
abounded with
interesting
reminiscences of
early days. On the
14th of August,
1903,
Senator Morris
celebrated the
eighty-sixth
anniversary of his
birth, over forty of
his relatives being
present. On the 2d
of October following
he passed away
through death into
life everlasting.
