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

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, be moved from Buffalo, New York 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. 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 from his election until May 2, 1837. He was elected the first

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, subject to confirmation by the Cook County Board of Commission ...

. He had been elected to the office in 1836, nominated by the

Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

. 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

Clark Clark is an English language surname, ultimately derived from the Latin with historical links to England, Scotland, and Ireland ''clericus'' meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educate ...

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"
'' The Gettysburg Times''. 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 Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa *Republican Party (Liberia) * Republican Part ...

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. 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)