John K. Morris

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

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

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

Illinois House of Representatives

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

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

  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.