Benjamin McMorris, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., March 25, 1813; his parents moved to Frederick Co., Va., when he was a year old; his father died in the year 1818, and Mr. McMorris lived with his mother until he was 21 years of age, when they moved to Coshocton Co., Ohio; six years after, his mother returned to Virginia and died there in the year 1852. In the spring of 1836, Mr. McMorris married Rachel McLaughlin, and, three years afterward, moved to Coles Co., and settled in Sec. 9, Hutton Township, where he at present resides. His wife died Dec. 17, 1851, leaving six children, all living – Nancy (born Aug. 14, 1837), Margaret (July 7, 1839), Benjamin F. (May 16, 1842), Mary J. Nov. 11. 1847), William H. (Aug. 18, 1849), and Rachel (Dec. 5, 1851). He married his second wife, Miss Sarah J. Johns, daughter of James and Jane Johns, in February, 1852; she was born in Virginia, Pendleton Co., Aug. 11, 1825, and was the widow of Wm. Cartright; they had eight children, six living – Elizabeth J. (born Nov. 26, 1854-now Mrs. David T. French, at present residing in Kansas; married Nov. 14, 1870), John V. (born Oct. 15, 1856), Martha A. know Mrs. John Thornton born July 10, 1860 married Oct. 16, 1878), Russell J. (born Sept. 29, 1862), Jenette (Aug. 27, 1864), and Joseph L. (born March 9, 1867); two deceased-Thomas J. and David A.
