Morris Longstreth Hallowell

Abolitionist, Businessman. Born in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, he became the sole source of support for his family at age1 9 when his father died. He assumed direction of his father's silk and China goods import business, which eventually became Morris L. Hallowell and Company. As his business interests grew he developed a steamship line to the south, became one of the directors of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and eventually became one of the directors of the 1st National Bank. He used his wealth for many philanthropic causes, highlighted by his raising of 30,000 for the relief of Norfolk, Virgina during its 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic. He was outspoken in his opposition to the institution of slavery, and worked for its abolition, often times to the detriment to his business, as Southern customers would decry his abolitionist leaning. When confronted he would refuse to renounce them, often saying "I sell goods not principles". He also used his expansive home in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania as a stop on the Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves make their way to Canada. The coming of the Civil War and the loss of the southern markets was a huge blow to his firm, and he had to liquidate it soon after the war began. He contributed greatly to many of the critical causes born by the way, giving time, efforts and money to help soldiers in the field and the wounded who were brought to Philadelphia. An intimate friend of Massachusetts Governor John Andrew, was part of an advisory committed explore funding, recruitment and raising of two regiments of African-American soldiers, which became the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantries. He also has a son who would command each regiment - Edward Needles Hallowell, who would become Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts after Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was killed in July 1863 leading his men against Battery Wagner, in Charleston, South Carolina, and Norwood Penrose Hallowell, whom as Colonel commanded the 54th Massachusetts. A third son, William Penrose Hallowell, served as Regimental Adjutant of the 54th Massachusetts. Morris Hallowell also was one of the founding members of the Union League, formed in 1862 to combat rising Southern sympathy in Philadelphia. After the folding of his firm he became a member of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and served in banking interests towards the end of his life. On March 1, 1831 he married Hannah Smith Penrose, and they had eight children together.