Hyrum Bowles Morris, Jr. (1863-1914)

Hyrum Bowles Morris, Jr. was born on February 14, 1863 at Springdale, Washington County, Utah, the son of Hyrum Bowles Morris, Sr. and Eleanor Crofford Roberts. He had four sisters: Lauria, Eleanor, Eliza and Sophia sadoriah. His only brother, William Edward, died while the family was crossing the plains enroute to Zion.

The Morris family moved from Springdale and made their home in Rockville, when Hyrum Jr. was about two years old. Here he was reared and received his scant education. He finished the fifth reader and received his further training under tutorship of his kindly parents.

Hyrum was a fine looking fellow, healthy, well built body, topped by a head of brown curly hair; heavy brows from under which shone two sparkling blue eyes. He took the eye of many a young girl and the heart of one, Eliza Smith.

Eliza and Hyrum had grown up together, associating in church and community activities. When Hyrum felt the need and desire for a companion, he courted and married Eliza, a lovely bride as she whispered "yes" to the handsome young man at her side in the St. George Temple. Their marriage took place on New Year's Day in 1885. They built their first home in Rockville. During the summers they went to the mountains where they milked cows and made cheese and butter. Those were very busy months but always happy times for all who went. After the long winter months spent in Rockville, it was relaxing, regardless of the daily tasks, and pleasant to spend their time during the hottest part of the year in the cool of the mountains. Southern Utah has mountains, lakes and streams which will rank with the best in the country.

In November 1885 Hyrum moved his wife to Mesa, Arizona. His parents had been living there since 1883, so they joined his folks after a long tiresome trip by team and wagon. It was a difficult journey for Eliza for she was heavy with child and the bouncing wagon offered no comforts whatsoever. Ah, but sturdy were the pioneer mothers of then.

Eliza gave birth to her first child, a son, on March 18, 1886 after they were settled in Mesa, Arizona. The following year Hyrum was called to fill a mission in the Southern States. He took Eliza and their small son, Charles, back to Rockville where she stayed with her father until his mission was completed. Their second child, George Edwin, was born in Rockville while Hyrum was still on his mission, and it was not until fifteen months later that Hyrum saw his infant son.

At the completion of his mission, Hyrum returned to Rockville, gathered his family to him and returned to Mesa, Arizona, by team and covered wagon. They made their home there for many years. They were blessed with ten children, six boys and four girls.

Hyrum was a good farmer and prospered well through his efforts. He purchased unimproved farms, worked them, and improved them and then sold them at a good profit. Throughout the Mesa area Hyrum left farms that were credit to him and his family.

In 1901, Hyrum decided to move his family to a cooler climate, so he moved them to Lovell, Wyoming. They made the trip by team and wagon and were three months traveling from Mesa, Arizona to Lovell, Wyoming. The summers were glorious but the winter cold proved to be to severe for them so they returned to Mesa by train.

In 1910, Hyrum received his call to fulfill a mission for the second time. This call was to the Northern States, but due to ill health, Hyrum was unable to complete the two years of missionary work and returned to his home and family in 1911.

Hyrum, because of his mission training and experiences, was a capable and a willing servant in both his church and community. He willingly accepted whenever called to serve, regardless of the capacity. For his church, he gave of his time and talents as one of the counselors to the bishop of his ward for years. For his community, he gave of his efforts and capably served as justice of the peace in the Alma precinct for two years, officiated as a director of the Farmers Exchange at Mesa for several years, served on the school board, both in the Alma and Mesa districts, and acted on the Board of Governors of the Salt River Water Users for years.

Because of his active service throughout the many years he was residing in Mesa, Arizona, Hyrum's death on December 23, 1914, was mourned by the numerous friends and associates he had. He had strict ideals and lived accordingly, being always fair and just in his judgment and actions, to better the circumstances under which they lived. He was a good and kind father and a faithful companion. He served his God to the best of his ability and was blessed for his sincere efforts.