Luzon B. Morris, Governor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzon_B._Morris

Luzon Buritt Morris (April 16, 1827 – August 22, 1895) was an American lawyer and politician from Connecticut. He served as the 55th Governor of Connecticut,

Biography

Morris was born in Newtown, Connecticut. He prepared for college at the Connecticut Literary Institute in Suffield, Connecticut. He supported himself by his own industry, as a blacksmith and in a factory, until he entered Yale University. A year after entering Yale, Morris continued his studies in an office. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and graduated from Yale in 1858, where he was a member of Skull and Bones.

Morris served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1855 until 1856, 1870, 1876, 1880 and in 1881. He was probate judge from 1857 until 1863, and served in the State senate in 1874. During his service in the Connecticut General Assembly, he was a member of the commission that settled the border dispute with New York. He was an officer of the Connecticut Savings Bank for several years, and served as the bank president.

As Governor of Connecticut from January 4, 1893 until January 9, 1895, Morris was the only member of the Democratic Party to hold the governorship between 1885 and 1911. During his governorship, Morris advocated for constitutional amendments in the election laws, but failed to get the appropriate legislation passed. His popularity eroded due to the bleak financial depression that overwhelmed the state, and he did not seek reelection. After leaving office, Morris returned to his law practice.

Personal life

Morris married Eugenia L. Tuttle in 1856. They had six children together including Mary Seamoor Morris Pratt, Helen Harrison Morris Hadley, Ray Morris and Robert Tuttle Morris.

His daughter Mary married oil industrialist Charles Millard Pratt, and they had five children. His daughter Helen married Yale University president Arthur Twining Hadley, and they had three children. His son Ray was a partner in the investment banking house of Brown Brothers Harriman. His son, Dr. Robert Tuttle Morris, became a famous surgeon and author.

Death and legacy

Morris died of a stroke at his home in New Haven, Connecticut on August 22, 1895. He is interred at the Zoar Cemetery in Newtown, Connecticut. His home in New Haven was purchased by Yale University in 1957 and restored in 1990. The house was originally built in 1873 and features Italianate architecture.

Luzon Burritt Morris, Connecticut's 38th governor was born in Newton, Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University in 1858, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1856. Morris entered politics in 1855 as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, an office he was reelected to in 1856, 1870, 1876, 1880, and 1881. He served on the bench of the New Haven probate court from 1857 to 1863, and was a member of the Connecticut Senate from 1874 to 1876. Morris also served on several commissions, one of which amended Connecticut's probate laws. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1888 and 1890, but was victorious in the 1892 election. During his tenure, he advocated for constitutional amendments in the election laws, but was ineffective in attaining the appropriate legislation. Governor Morris's popularity eroded due to the bleak financial depression that overwhelmed the state, and he did not seek reelection. After leaving office on January 9, 1895, he returned to his law practice, and later served as president of the Connecticut Savings Bank of New Haven. Governor Luzon B. Morris died on August 22, 1895, and he is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven.