Orsemus Morrison
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Orsemus Morrison (1807 – 1864) was an early settler and politician of
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.


Early life

Morrison was born on June 24, 1807, to a family from
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.


Career

After working on the construction of the
Erie Canal The Erie Canal is a historic canal in upstate New York that runs east–west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, the canal was the first navigability, navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, ...
, he moved from
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, to Chicago in early 1833. His early work in Chicago was as a carpenter and contractor. One project he worked on was dredging the mouth of the
Chicago River The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center (the Chicago Loop). The river is one of the reasons for Chicago's geographic importance: the related Chic ...
. On August 15, 1835 he was elected the first High Constable and High Collector of Chicago. As High Constable, he was the city's first
head of police A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may not ...
from his election until May 2, 1837. He was elected the
Cook County Coroner The Cook County Medical Examiner is the coroner of Cook County, Illinois. Occupants are credential medical examiners, appointed by President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, subject t ...
in August 1836, having been nominated by the Democratic Party. Morrison was elected and served as street commissioner. From 1840 to 1841, he served as an alderman from the 1st ward of Chicago. In 1838, he purchased land on the corner of
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and
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in Chicago. This later became the location of the
Morrison Hotel ''Morrison Hotel'' is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Doors, released on February 9, 1970, by Elektra Records. After the use of brass and string arrangements recommended by producer Paul A. Rothchild on their previous album, ' ...
, the original building of which was built in 1860. AP
"Chicago's Morrison Hotel Being Razed; Was Mecca For Famous Entertainers"
''
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''. May 6, 1965. p. 4.
He made a number of other real estate purchases in Chicago. A Whig, originally, Morrison became an early member of the Republican Party.


Personal life

He was married to the former Lucy Paul on April 7, 1836, in
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. Morrison died in Chicago on January 4, 1864, and was buried at
Graceland Cemetery Graceland Cemetery is a large historic garden cemetery located in the north side community area of Uptown, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Established in 1860, its main entrance is at the intersection of Clark Street and Irving Park R ...
. When he died, he was survived by two daughters, Hannah Spofford and Lucy Mills, the latter of whom was married to congressman Daniel W. Mills.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morrison, Orsemus Chicago City Council members 1807 births 1864 deaths People from Cambridge, New York Heads of the Chicago Police Department Cook County Coroners Illinois Whigs Illinois Democrats Illinois Republicans Burials at Graceland Cemetery (Chicago)