The agricultural interests of Nodaway township find a worthy representative in Mont Morris, who is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres situated on the southwest quarter of section 23. This farm is largely devoted to the raising of stock and Mr. Morris is well known as a breeder of shorthorn cattle. He was born in Champaign county, Illinois, October 22, 1866, and is a son of Price W. and Elizabeth (Horr) Morris, both of whom were natives of Ohio but spent their last days in Page county. The father devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits, conducting his farming interests on an extensive scale in early life. In Ohio he married Miss Elizabeth Horr and removed thence to Illinois, while later he became a resident of Kansas and subsequently arrived in Page county, Iowa. Unto him and his wife were born seven children. V. W., who was a locomotive engineer, was killed in July, 1902, in a wreck on the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, about fifty miles south of Kansas City. Kate is the widow of Morgan Burwell and resides in Clarinda, where she is conducting the Powers Hospital. R. George and C. C. are both living in this county. Rachel is a resident of Chicago. J. H. is also living in this county.
Mont Morris, who is the youngest member of the family, was only about three years old when his parents removed from Champaign county to Greene county, Illinois, and he went with them to Kansas when a lad of about ten years, the family home being established at Paolo, Miami county. There he continued until July, 1102, when lie came to Page county, where lie has since remained. The occupation to which he was reared lie has made his life work, continuously following it with the exception of one year which lie devoted to railroading. About 1903 lie purchased his present property, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres constituting the southwest quarter of section 23, Nodaway township. Of this he has since sold forty acres so that his farm now comprises one hundred and twenty acres. He is extensively and successfully engaged in stock-raising, is a breeder of shorthorn cattle and keeps on hand from twenty to one hundred head of shorthorns. He is an excellent judge of stock, owns some very fine animals and makes exhibits at the county fairs where lie has won various premiums.
In January, 1899, Mr. Morris was married to Miss Grace P. Abbott, who was born in this county, June 26, 1873, and is a daughter of J: H. and Phoebe Jane Pfander Abbott. The father was a lifelong farmer but retired about two years ago and is now living in Clarinda.
Mr. Morris is a member of Clarinda Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O. F. He takes little active interest in affairs aside from his farm, concentrating his energies upon the development of a prosperous business here. He is regarded as one of the best judges of live stock in this part of the state and has done not a little to improve the grade of cattle raised through the conduct of his individual interests.
