Il devient président de Morris & Company à la mort de son père et est impliqué dans la décision, en 1902, de former la National Packing Co. Cette société holding a été ciblée par Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh(en) en vertu de la loi Elkins et a finalement été dissoute en 1912.
↑ ab et c« Guide to the Edward Morris House Collection 1913-1919 », University of Chicago (consulté le ) : « Morris was born in Chicago on October 1, 1866. His father, Nelson Morris, founded Morris & Co. Edward was educated in Chicago public schools, and his natural aptitude and interest in his father's business led him to begin spending time there at age 14. In 1890, Morris married Helen Swift, a daughter of one of his two main competitors. The couple had four children, Nelson II, Edward, Jr., Ruth, and Muriel. Muriel Morris Gardner later became a renowned psychiatrist. ... »
↑ a et b« Ed. Morris Dead. Left $ 40000000. Chicago Packer, Son of the Late Nelson Morris, Was 47 Years Old. Began His Career at 14. Bought Interest of His Brother and Sisters After Father's Death. His Wife Was Helen Swift », The New York Times, Chicago, , p. 9 (lire en ligne, consulté le )
↑ a et b« Morris Millions In Trust. Packer's Widow Controls. Will Be One of World's Wealthiest Women », The New York Times, Chicago, , p. 11 (lire en ligne, consulté le ) :
« Mrs. Helen Swift Morris was placed in control of the $ 20000000 estate of her husband, Edward Morris, the packer, by his will filed here to-day. This makes Mrs. Morris, who inherited a large fortune from her father, Gustavus Swift, the packer, one of the wealthiest women in the world. ... »
↑Chicago Historical Society: Charter, Constitution, By-laws, Membership List, Annual Report, Leopold Classic Library, , 60–61 p. (lire en ligne)