Ratay-Johnstone Ancestors - Person Sheet
Ratay-Johnstone Ancestors - Person Sheet
NameMichael J MORRIS
Birth20 Jul 18392078
Death1 Apr 1903, Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey454,2078
Burial4 Apr 1903, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa, New Jersey2078
OccupationCotton waste dealer
ReligionCatholic
Spouses
BirthJun 1847, New Jersey
Memo1900 census
Death13 Jul 1927, Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey2077,559
FatherJosiah F. CALVIN (1824-1876)
MotherMary HINDLE (1825-1874)
Marriage3 Feb 1869, Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey2079
ChildrenJohn M. (Died as Child) (1869-1875)
 Anna Marie (1872-1965)
 Josephine (1876-1936)
 Leo Michael (1880-1948)
Census notes for Michael J MORRIS
1870 New Jersey, Passaic County, Paterson, 7th Ward, p. 20
dwelling 91, family 169
Morris, Micheal, age 60, male, white, cotton waste dealer, $20,000, person $3,000, born Ireland
--------, Ann, age 60, female, white, keeps house, born Ireland
--------, Micheal, age 30, male, white, cotton waste dealer, real estate $5,000, personal $20,000, born New Jersey
--------, Emma, age 24, female, white, at home, born New Jersey
--------, John, age 7/12, male, white, at home, born New Jersey, born in Dec.
Egan, Catherine, age 13, female, at home, born New York
Donelly, Ann, age 30, female, white, domestic, born Ireland

1880
New Jersey, Passaic County, Paterson, E.D. 166, page 2B, film T9-796? (taken 1 Jun 1880)
40 Ward St., dwelling 10, family 16
Morris, Mich., white, male, age 75, head, married, waste dealer, born Ireland, parents born Ireland
--------, Anasta., white, female, age 73, wife, married, keeps house, born Ireland, parents born Ireland
--------, Mich, white, male, age 41, son, married, paper dealer, born New Jersey, parents born Ireland
--------, Emma, white, female, age 34, daughter-in-law, married, at home, born New Jersey, father born Connecticut, mother born England
--------, Anastasia, white, female, age 8, granddaughter, single, born New Jersey, parents born New Jersey
--------, Josie, white, female, age 4, granddaughter, single, born New Jersey, parents born New Jersey
--------, Leo, white male, age 2/12, March, grandson, single, born New Jersey, parents born New Jersey
Holan, Norah, white, female, age 40, servant, single, domestic, born Ireland, parents born Ireland

1900 New Jersey, Passaic County, Paterson, E.D. 147, ward 7, sheet 12A, stamped page 93, film T623-991? (taken 7 Jun 1900)
41 Ward St., dwelling 102, family 232
Morris, Michael J., head, white, male, July 1840, age 59, married 31 years, born New Jersey, parents born Ireland, machine waste
--------, Emma E., wife, white, female, June 1847, age 52, married 31 years, mother of 4 children, 3 living, born New Jersey, father born New Jersey, mother born England
--------, Leo, son, white, male, Mar 1880, age 20, single, born New Jersey, parents born New Jersey
McStrafie, Mary, servant, white, female, Mar 1872, age 28, single, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, imm 1890, here 10 yrs, servant

----------------deceased
Obituary notes for Michael J MORRIS
Paterson Daily Press, 2 April 1903, viewed at google.com
OBITUARY
Michael J. Morris
Michael J. Morris, one of the oldest and best know residents of Paterson, succumbed to pneumonia at his home, Ward and Cross streets, at 10:15 last night, having been taken ill a few days ago while attending a funeral. He passed away quietly, surrounded by his wife and children. Born in this city July 20, 1839, the son of the late Michael Morris, an old resident of the southern section, the deceased at the age of 15 entered the employ of K. Egan & company, dealers in cotton waste, 19 Burling Slip, New York. Mr. Egan, the head of the concern, had married a sister of Mr. Morris, and on his death many years ago the subject of this sketch succeeded him. Mr. Morris was perhaps the oldest Paterson commuter on the Erie, having travelled to and fro to New York daily for almost half a century. At different times during his busy life, Mr. Morris had been importuned to accept public office, but steadfastly refused. He had always voted the Democratic ticket until free silver Byranism loomed into view, when he turned his allegiance to the Republican party, and was a warm supporter of the late President McKinley. Essentially a home man, Mr. Morris was affiliated with no organization or society other than the Hamilton club. In works of charity he was unostentatious, but the philanthropic institutions of this city lose a kind benefactor. Up to 1893 he took an active interest in the affairs of the Paterson Opera house, serving as a director for many years. He was one of the first promoters of the theatre in 1866. Mr. Morris married Miss Emma Calvan [sic] and the widow survives, as do three children: Mrs. John R. Lee, Mrs. F.R. Shepherd and Leo C. Morris, the two latter of Chicago. Mrs. Shepherd and her brother came on from the West yesterday morning, and were at their father’s bedside when he passed away. A brother, the Rev. John P. Morris, pastor of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church, Avondale, also survives. The deceased was a lifelong member of St. John’s church and a warm friend of St. Joseph’s hospital and the orphan asylum conducted by Dean McNulty at Lincoln bridge. He left a large estate, as his real estate and mortgage holdings in this city were heavy.

The fuueral [sic] will be held Saturday morning with a solemn requiem mass in St. John’s church at 10 o’clock. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre.

The Morning Call (Paterson, NJ), Thursday, 2 Apr 1903, page 1 (fultonhistory.com)
Death Calls Michael J. Morris
For Half Century He Was Engaged in the Cotton Waste Business in New York

One of Paterson’s oldest and most representative citizens was removed by death last evening. In the passing away of Michael J. Morris the city loses an upright and honored resident, his family a loving husband and indulgent parent and the charitable institutions a liberal benefactor.

It will be a great shock to the friends of Mr. Morris to learn of his death, and deep sorrow will be expressed in many quarters. He had been ill only four days and, although it was realized that his condition was critical, the family held out hope for his recovery.

It was on Saturday morning last that Mr. Morris was seized with a severe chill, while attending to his duties in his New York offices. Returning home that day, he was compelled to take to his bed, and the family physician diagnosed is ailment as double pneumonia. The patient grew weaker gradually, but did not lost consciousness until the final call came. Surrounded by members of his family, he passed away peacefully, apparently suffering no pain. He breathed his last at 10:15 o’clock last night.

It was the first time Mr. Morris had ever been taken down with illness. He was a man of robust constitution and at all times was the picture of health, and looked fit to battle successfully against any disease. But, as in many cases where illness is almost unknown, Mr. Morris was not able to withstand the ravishes of the dread disease and quickly succumbed.

The deceased had the distinction of being the oldest commuter on the Erie railroad between this city and New York. He lacked but one or two years of being a patron of that road for a half-century, and in his time saw many changes in the management of the company.

Mr. Morris was a life-long resident of the Seventh ward and spent the greater part of his life in the home where he passed away last evening, corner of Ward and cross streets. That section had a peculiar fascination for him and he made the beautiful house on the corner named his permanent home.

Born of humble parentage, Mr. Morris advanced himself to a position of prominence in the business world of this and New York cities. He was a man of the highest honor and integrity.

The deceased was born on Marshall street on July 29, 1839 and was, therefore, in the 64th year of his age. His was the son of Michael Morris, a staid old resident of that section.

The deceased did not have the educational advantages that are open to young men now-a-days. He was sent to parochial and private schools and at the age of 15 entered the work of business. His sister had married K. Egan, of the firm of K. Egan & Co., dealers in cotton waste, and Mr. Morris was taken into that firm at the age given. Mr. Egan died some years ago and Mr. Morris, who had been advanced from one position to another, succeeded to the presidency of the company, a position which he held up to the time of his death. The offices of the company are at 19 Burling Slip, New York city, and every week day Mr. Morris could be found at his desk there. Under his management the company had prospered and has a high rating in New York.

Mr. Morris went to and from New York over the Erie continuously for forty-nine years and was known to all the older commuters and officials on the road.

Owing to his business being in the metropolis, and spending so much of his time in that city, Mr. Morris was not well known here, that is, by the younger generation. His retiring disposition was accountable for this being so. To the “old timers,” however, Mr. Moris [sic] was an acquaintance and friend of many years’ standing.

At different times the deceased had been importuned to accept public office, and his name had frequently been mentioned for the mayoralty. He declined all offers in this direction and at no time did he take a prominent part in politics. He recognized his duties as a good citizen, however, and always tried to be on the side of right. He had been a Democrat for many years, but when Bryanism was injected into that party, he turned his allegiance to the Republicans, and was one of the warmest supporters of the late President McKinley.

The deceased was essentially a home man. He took delight in being surrounded by his family and intimate friends, and for this reason never affiliated with lodges or societies. The only organization with which he was connected was the Hamilton club.

Perhaps it will never be know how far-reaching was Mr. Morris’ charity. He was one who went about doing good without advertising his deeds, and only those who have shared his benefactions will realize the extent of his liberality. He took an especial interest in the hospitals. He was always to the forefront of movements for the benefit of these institutions, serving on and at the head of committees for charity balls and entertainments.

Mr. Morris was interested in other matters outside of his business in New York. One of the concerns in which he took a deep interest for years was the Paterson Opera House association. Up to 1893 he served as a director in that organization. He was one of those who started the association and planned for the opening of the house in 1896.

Mr. Morris married Miss Emma Calvan [sic], a daughter of J.A. Calvan [sic], who was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. The widow survives him and also three children — Mrs. John R. Lee of this city, Mr.s F.R. Shepherd and Leo C. Morris of Chicago. Mrs. Shepherd and Mrs. Morris came here from Chicago yesterday morning, immediately upon receipt of word of their father’s illness, and were at the bedside when he passed away.

Mr. Morris also leaves a brother, the Rev. Joh P. Morris, pastor of St. Mary’s T.C. church at Avondale. Father Morris was at his brother’s bedside yesterday morning.

The deceased was for more than two-score years a pew holder in St. John’s church, holding the pew that was first let by his father. In the days when funds were being raised for the erection of the church, Mr. Morris gave much assistance, both financially and in the way of planning and carrying out enterprises for the benefit of the church.

Arrangements for the funeral will not be completed until today. Undertaker John F. Smith is in charge.
Last Modified 6 Jan 2016Created 26 Aug 2023 using Reunion for Macintosh
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Research done and sourced whenever possible by Nancy L. Ratay or Myra S. Ratay. Other contributors noted in sources. Please verify information yourself as this is a work in progress. Last updated August 2022.