Ralph Ringwood Morris

OBITUARY:

Strasburg Man Passes Away at the Age of 78 Years
Ralph R. Morris died at his home in Strasburg last Friday (April 13, 1934). His exact age was 78 years, 10 months and 23 days.
The Hon mortuary people, this city, took charge of the remains and prepared for the funeral. The rites were held Sunday at the Babtist Church in Strasburg, the Rev. C. H. Nevels being the minister. There was a large attendance.
A choir composed of Messrs. White, Purvis and Thompson and Mesds. Thompson, Blevans and Hodges sang "Over There", "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Interment was in Strasburg Cemetery, pallbearers being Wm and Chas. Cates, Ed Croke, Wm. Ragsdale, George Mote and Sim Shore.
From a sketch written by the Rev. Mr. Nevels the following facts concerning Mr. Morris are derived:
"Ralph Morris was born in Warren County, Ill., June 20, 1855, and was married to Alice M. Lauver, Dec. 19, 1878. [should be Martha Alice Lauver]
"To this union five children were born--Charles D. Morris, Shawnee, Kas.; Frank B. Morris, Independence, Mo.; Clarence J. Morris, deceased; Maude Morris Martin, Pampa, Texas; George R. Morris, Jacksonville, Ill [should be FL]. The dead son, Clarence, gave up his life in the service of his country. He was killed in battle in France, Sept., 1918. Mrs. Morris passed into the beyond on Feb. 15, 1931. There also survives Mr. Morris a sister, Mrs. Mattie Mills, Randolph, Iowa. She is the only one left of a family of nine children. All Mr. Morris' surviving children were with him at the end."
"Brother Morris," the sketch continues, "had been a resident of this part of Missouri since 1894, being always most highly esteemed and respected in the communities where he resided. While he had never united with a church, he was a man who was always interested in the work of the Lord. All his children united with the church early in life.
"Brother Morris was one who could always be found doing good, Christian deeds. The life he lived indicated that he was a believer in God as his master. He was a regular attendant at church and Sunday school." [end of obituary]

Research has uncovered the "Register of Births" in Illinois showing Charlie Morris having been born March 8, 1881. The father's (Ralph R. Morris) occupation is shown as "farmer", age 24 at the time of the birth.
The mother's name is listed as Alice M. Morris, Maiden name being Alice M. Lauver, age 22 at the time of the birth.
Source: page 58, No. 748, with a filing date of March 17, 1881.

Other research has uncovered the "Register of Marriages" in Ill. between Ralph Morris and Martha A. Lauver on Dec. 19, 1878, in Bald Bluff, Ill. He is shown as being 24 years old on his next birthday, a farmer, living in Bald Bluff, Ill, son of William Morris and Eve Carpenter.
The age of the bride at her next birthday was listed as 20, from Penn., daughter of Solomon Lauver and Catherine Miller.
Source: page 7, License No. 2911.

For Future Research:
The Strasburg Cemetery index shows several people named Morris, but as yet, no known connection has been made to this family. Death certificates on these people do not give any clues as to who they are. They are: (Virgil F. Morris says that this family is not related to us.)
Morris, Benjamin F., 1856-1931
Morris, Mary M., 1853-1914

Compiled by M. K. Morris, Jr., Feb. 13, 1998
Mar. 18, 1998
Apr. 17, 1998
May 6, 1998

Through interviews with Virgil Morris, Marion Morris, and Margie Austin on (May 7, 1998), it was learned that Ralph R. Morris knew Cole Younger, the outlaw. Ralph was shot in the neck while the law was chasing Cole Younger. The bullet was never extracted. This caused Ralph to have his head cocked over to his right side for the rest of his life.
Virgil and Margie also state that Ralph's wife, Martha Lauver (or her parents), came from Germany. They stated that when the family got off the ship from Germany, they changed the family name from Schultz to Lauver. However, Virgil does not remember Martha speaking with an accent, nor does M. K. Morris, Sr. After preliminary Lauver research, there is no reason to believe the story about the name change.