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From: "Kathleen Wendland" <>
Subject: [GFO] Query - Dr. Madison B. Morris
Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 14:12:47 -0800


Dr. Madison B. Morris - Pioneer Doctor in Oregon

Dr Morris was my ggrandmothers brother.

I found this article in the - HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

Dr. Madison B. Morris - Few have had the privilege of passing through a more checkered career and meeting with more stirring scenes of interest than the subject of this sketch, whose life's epitome it is now our pleasant task to chronical.

Madison B. Morris, Familiarly known as Dr. Morris, was born in Henry County, Tennessee, in 1824, being the son of Lemuel and Martha (Estes) Morris, the father being buried in Salem, Arkansas, and the mother in Sant Anna, California. When twenty-seven years of age, our subject commenced the study of medicine and after finishing his course, he at once commenced the practice and almost constantly until within the past ten years he has been engaged in that profession, although owing to his stirring nature and love of activity he has frequently been engaged in other enterprises in addition to the practice of medicine. He Practiced in Bassville, Arkansas, from 1848 to 1853, and then came to The Dalles, Oregon, where he followed his profession for four years, thence to the Cascades, where he also practiced and engaged in in supplying the steamboats with wood and also took up a ranch opposite Dead Island in th e Columbia river. In 1865 we find him following his profession in Wall!
a Walla and for fifteen years he was in that city; after which he spent four years in Weston, and seven years in Somerville and in 1882 came to Eagle valley, where he now owns a quarter section of land and is engaged in fruit culture and general farming.
The marriage of Dr. Morris and Miss Elizabeth Lillybridge was celebrated in 1867 and to them have been born the following children: James, Lily, Lemuel, Della, Clyde, deceased, Charley, deceased, Sadie. Mrs. Morris' parents came across the plains with ox teams in 1865 and many exciting and thrilling experiences were theirs to pass through while enroute. At one time the stock were stampeded by the stage appearing suddenly and at another time the Indians stampeded and stole the cattle. Fortunately, they were enabled in the morning to recover all of their cattle so that could proceed. The doctor met this train on the Cascades, and then later followed the happy marriage we have mentioned above. While the doctor was superintending a train across the plains in 1853, he came across a man that had been abandoned by the train that preceded his, the poor unfortunate being left to die. The doctor, like the Good Samaritan, picked up this helpless man and nursed him to life, using!
his medical skill to restore him. His train was stampeded on the Snake river and many of their horses were never recovered. when he was below the Cascades he barely escaped being murdered by the Indians in 1856, the date of a terrible massacre in that section. At one time, the doctor had the misfortune to fall through a poorly constructed bridge in Portland. He landed twenty-six and one-half feet below and it was supposed that he was dead, for for three days and nights he lay speechless, but he was enabled finally to pull through, althoughtoday he is suffering from the effects of this same fall, however, he has received no remuneration from the city for this failure.


COPY OF LETTER FROM DR. MORRIS TO MY GRANDFATHER, THOMAS MOFFIT MONYGOMERY - NOVEMBER 17, 1899

Dear Nephew,
I was very glad to get a letter from so kind a relative.
Sister Buckley her P.O. is Santa Ana, California
Sister Lydia Marshall's P.O. is Los Angeles, California
Sister Elizabeth E Morse is living in Baker City, Oregon about 45 or 50 miles from my house.
I have been corresponding with M. O. Montgomery for several years. Newton Wilson, your cousin is living about 15 miles from here. his mother was Eliza Estes, Uncle Burris Estes' daughter. He says he did'nt know you was his cousin until I told him.
I think I am living in one of the best countries in the world. I was 75 years old the 8th day of last October.
Truly
Dr M B Morris

Sister Buckley's name is Sarah. O how I would like to see sister Ann's Children. I will see them if we die Christians.
Write and let me know how you like these phamplets. I think he is one of the best men in the world.

M B Morris


Does anyone know any of these people?

Thanks,
Kathleen Wendland


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