Charles Richard Morris (13 March 1863 – 4 January 1918) was a timber merchant and politician in South Australia.

History

Morris was born at Noarlunga the eldest son of C. E. Morris, and moved when very young to Underdale, where he received his education. At the age of 13 he started working for Robin & Hack ( Theophilus Robin and

Theodore Hack Theodore Hack (17 November 1840 – 27 December 1902) was a South Australian politician. He was born at Echunga, South Australia a son of John Barton Hack and his wife Bridget Hack, née Watson, and was educated at the Adelaide Educational Inst ...

), timber merchants of Dale Street, Port Adelaide, and 10 years later, with Theophilus John Walter (1859 – 2 December 1946) as "Walter & Morris", took over the business, which survived and thrived.

Politics

His first public office was in 1899, when he was elected Councillor for Cleave Ward in the municipality of Port Adelaide, a position he held for four years. He was an Alderman of Port Adelaide for eight years and Mayor four times. He was a candidate for the

House of Assembly House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level. Historically, in British Crown colonies as the colony gained more internal responsible gove ...

seat of Port Adelaide in 1910, but was defeated by Thompson Green. In August 1911, he was elected to the Legislative Council as a Liberal Union candidate for the Central district, filling the seat made vacant by the death of

Theodore Bruce Theodore Bruce (5 April 1847 – 2 July 1911) was an auctioneer, politician and Mayor of Adelaide 1904–1907. History Theodore Bruce was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, a son of William Bruce, a large woollens manufacturer. A grandfather, Edward ...

, but failed re-election at the following general election in February 1912.

Other interests

He represented Port Adelaide on the Fire Brigade Board. He was a keen athlete, and actively concerned in all the athletic clubs in his district. He was a prominent bowler; he founded the Port Adelaide District Cricket Club, and was both its President and the club's delegate to the

South Australian Cricket Association The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) is the peak body for the sport of cricket in South Australia. The association administers the Southern Redbacks based in Adelaide. SACA is the controlling body for the South Australian Grade Cri ...

. for many years, and for two years was Chairman of the S.A.C.A. He was President of the sailing club and the Orpheus Society, a committeeman of the local institute, and a member of the School Board of Advice and the Adelaide Hospital, and a deacon of the Port Adelaide Congregational Church.

Family

He was married and had a home at Victoria Avenue, Unley Park. He left a family consisting of a wife, three sons, and six daughters. He died at a private hospital after suffering from typhoid and pneumonia.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morris, Charles Richard Australian timber merchants Members of the South Australian Legislative Council 1863 births 1918 deaths 19th-century Australian businesspeople Colony of South Australia people