Biography - MORRIS EMMERSON
The able editor of that sterling paper, the Albion Journal, was born in Wanborough, Edwards county, Illinois, June 7th, 1853. He comes of one of the pioneer families of the county, being the son of Jesse and Samantha Emmerson. His father was a native of Indiana, while his mother, whose maiden name was Sperry, was born in Connecticut. His father has held the position as county clerk and sheriff with great acceptance. To the office of sheriff he was three times elected. Morris obtained his education chiefly in the common schools of the county and the high school of Albion. This was supplemented by a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College of St. Louis, from which institution he graduated in the summer of 1869. Upon his return home he was installed as book-keeper for Churchill & Dalby, dealers in pork, grain and general merchandise, with whom he remained about six years. In September, 1875, he went to Red Oak, Iowa, where he was engaged in a similar capacity, and for a time in the Valley National Bank. In 1876, he returned to Fairfield, Wayne county, as clerk for Thomas W. Scott, a merchant of that place. In connection with Ballentine he bought the Journal during the same year, and in 1878, became sole proprietor. He was married to Ida Harris, daughter of George Harris, April 10, 1878. By this union there have been born two bright children, a boy and a girl. Mr. Emmerson is an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of the A. O. U. W. and of the Sons of Temperance. In the management of his paper he is earnest in his advocacy of Republican principles, fearless in upholding his ideas of temperance, and careful in making his a reliable family paper.
Extracted 12 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, page 226.
