Tom Morrison Taken By Death, Pioneer Family Member Passes. Thomas Jefferson Morrison, a son of one of the Kittitas Valley’s earliest pioneer families, passed away this morning in the Valley General Hospital at the age of 75 years [April 11, 1953].
He had been in ill health for several years and entered the hospital last Wednesday. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Morrison, who came to the Kittitas Valley in 1870. His grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wheeler, who came to the valley in the same year.
William Morrison, who was a Civil War veteran, homesteaded the present Morrison farm one-half mile northeast of Kittitas. Thomas Morrison was born there in 1878 and lived there until his death. He was preceded in death by his brother, Abe Morrison, who passed away two weeks ago.
During the early part of his adult life, Morrison freighted for sheep and cattle growers along with the operation of his farm. He helped construct the Milwaukee Railway line through Kittitas County in 1908.
Morrison was married July 3, 1903, to Lillie Dell Ferguson in Ellensburg. She still resides on the Morrison farm near Kittitas.
Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Gladys Sisk, Ellensburg; a son, Chester Morrison, Thorp; two grandchildren, Tommy and Chester Morrison, Jr.; a brother, William Morrison, Walla Walla; an aunt, Mrs. Laura Wheeler, Ellensburg; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 15 at the Evenson Chapel, with burial following in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The family announced that pallbearers will be selected this week from among pioneer friends of Morrison.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman