Elizabeth J. Morris

Elizabeth J. Morris

• Father: William Morris b. circa 1820
• Mother: Margaret Jones b. circa 1816

• Elizabeth J. Morris was born on 8 April 1855 in Rhos Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales.
• Elizabeth J. Morris appeared in the British census of 7 April 1861 in Selattyn, Llansilin, Oswestry, Shropshire, England, enumerated as niece of Mary Morris (age 54). Also in the household were Mary's son Thomas (31), and Thomas Williams (56) and his wife Sarah (15).
• Margaret Jones appeared in the British census of 2 April 1871 in Rhos Ruabon, Dengibshire, North Wales, at High Street. Other members of the household included Elizabeth J. Morris, Sarah Jane Morris. Margaret's widowed daughter Mary Davies was living on Main Street in Ruabon with her three boys.
• Margaret Jones arrived in the United States circa 1871, accompanied by Elizabeth J. Morris, Sarah Jane Morris according to Elizabeth's 2x great granddaughter.
• She married Thomas J. Williams.
• Thomas J. Williams and Elizabeth J. Morris appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, at West Lloyd Street. Other members of the household included Jane Williams and Margaret Williams.
• According to a 2x great granddaughter of Elizabeth Morris, following the death in Wales of her sister Mary Morris Davies, Elizabeth went to the bank and borrowed money to bring Mary's sons (Ellis, John and Daniel Davies, and William and Messick Parry) over to the United States to live with her in Lead.
• Elizabeth J. Morris became a widow at the circa 1884 death of her husband Thomas J. Williams.
• Elizabeth J. Morris appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, at 409 South Mill Street. Other members of the household included Margaret Williams, Sarah F. Williams and William Parry.
• She was a nurse, according to the 1900 census.
• Elizabeth J. Morris appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, at 507 South Mill Street. Other members of the household included Margaret Williams and Mary Violet Law.
• The following appeared on 9 November 1917 in the Lead Daily Call: (Deadwood) Mrs. Maggie Slater of Chadron accompanied by her little child, was an arrival on the Northwestern and proceeded at once to Lead where she will be the guest of her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams for a week or so.
• The following appeared on 27 June 1918 in the Lead Daily Call: (Deadwood) Mrs. Maggie Slater and little child, of Chadron are visiting Mrs. Slater's mother, Mrs. Mary [sic] Williams of Lead.
• Elizabeth J. Morris appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, at 507 Bleeker Street. Other members of the household included Mary Violet Law.
• The following appeared on 27 November 1923 in the Lead Daily Call: Miss Mary Violet Law left on the Burlington this afternoon for Los Angeles, called there by the illness of her mother, Mrs. Sarah Rankin, formerly of Lead. Miss Law has been living in Lead for many years with her grandmother, Mrs. E. J. Williams.
• The following appeared on 26 May 1930 in the Lead Daily Call: Dick Dunlop, of the local fire department, today received word of the death of Frank J. Dorman, Sr., in Denver yesterday. Mr. Dorman left Lead in 1922. During his residence here he was an employee of the Homestake Mining company, and was a member of the local fire department for four years. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Vance Wilson, and Margaret, both of Denver. Mrs. Dorman's death occurred about a year ago. Mr. Dorman was a brother-in-law of Mrs. E. J. Wilson, of Lead.
• Elizabeth J. Morris died on 13 January 1933 at age 77 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, at her residence.
• She was interred at South Lead Cemetery, Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota.
• The following appeared on 13 January 1933 in the Lead Daily Call: Mrs. Elizabeth J. Williams, Lead pioneer who came here 49 years ago, braving the hardships of a stagecoach journey with her three small children, died unecpectedly at her home here about 11:30 o'clock this morning. While Mrs. Williams had been ailing for the past three months and recently had suffered an attack of influenza, she arose and was around the house earlier this morning. The attack came suddenly and Mrs. Williams, calling to a relative and seating herself on her bed, expired within a few minutes.
       She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Jennie Cox, of Lead; Mrs. Maggie Slater, of Chadron, Neb., and Mrs. Sarah Rankin, of Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Slater, notified of her mother's death, is on her way to Lead. Mrs. Williams also leaves five grandchildren, including Charles Cox and Mrs. C. R. Brown, of Lead, and six great grandchildren.
       Born April 8, 1855, in Wales, Engl, the deceased came to America as a small child with her parents. The family settled in Shenandoah, Pa. She grew up there and was married. Her husband lost his life about 50 years ago in a coal mine accident. A short time later Mrs. Williams decided to come to the Black Hills, and bringing her three small children, made the long trip. She made her home here continuously since that time.
       Arrangements for funeral services will be announced later.

• Last Edited: 24 May 2016