NANCY ELIZABERTH CONSER MORRISON
1839 -- 1931
* * * * * *
MRS. MORRISON, 92, WAS LOVED PIONEER
CAME TO COLERIDGE 52 YEARS AGO,
HAVING PART IN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT
----------------------------------------
(The following beautiful tribute to Grandma Morrison
was written by one who had known her intimately for
many years).
Nancy Elizabeth Conser Morrison entered into the life eternal on
Dec. 30, 1931, at her home in Coleridge, age 92 years , 5 months,
and 23 days. The end came suddenly but peacefully Wednesday
morning after she has risen and dressed for the day.
Grandma Morrison, as she was most affectionately and generally
called by her friends and acquaintances in the community, lived a most
active and useful life. She was endowed by nature with a keen intellect,
a generous disposition, and an indomitable spirit.
She was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, on July 7, 1839, of
sturdy French stock, and her forbears in this country won Revolutionary
honors.
She was united in marriage with James Morrison at Hopkinton, Iowa,
Dec. 25, 1855. In the spring of 1880, they immigrated to Cedar County,
Nebr., purchased land and settled at Norris, two and a half miles east of here.
Mrs. Morrison was the mother of 13 children: one died in infancy and twelve
grew to maturity.
The covered wagon days, sod houses, buffalo trails, life on the bleak prairies
in remote sections of our beloved Nebraska, the establishment of town and
commumity life, building up of the early rural schools and educational system,
and the general development of our later civilization were all familiar landmarks
in the mind and heart of this remarkable pioneer woman, a spirit which she
maintained through our more modern times and to the close of her career.
In 1912, Grandma Morrison and her daughter, Lula, purchased a home
in Coleridge where they have since resided. She was a resident of Cedar
County for 52 years. Grandma was a most ardent gardener and spent most
of the warm summer days in the intelligent cultivation of a wonderful flower
and vegetable garden on the grounds of her home.
Always a devout Christian, Mrs. Morrison was for years affiliated with the
Presbyterian and later with the Congregational churches.
The deceased is survived by eight of her children. as follows: Mrs. Alice
Shearer of Ree Heights, SD; Robert of Miller, SD; Lula and Howard of
Coleridge; James of Sioux City, Iowa; Ren of Lincoln; Mrs. Roy (Hattie)
Adams of Laurel; and Mrs. Margaret Fleming of Barberton, Ohio.
Appropriate funeral services were held in the Coleridge Congregational
Church on New Year's Day, conducted by Rev. Wm. S. Rowden. The sons,
two sons-in-law, and a grandson were casketbearers. Interment was made
in the beautiful hillside pioneer cemetery at Norris.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Coleridge Blade
January, 1932
Coleridge, Wayne County, Nebraska
* * * * * * * * *
Census records.
Obit information in poss of Ruth Fratzke which was given to her by Mrs Lisle (Clarice) Morrison, a granddaughter-in-law in Nov of 1993. Ruth Morrison Fratzke is a grt-granddaughter of James and Nancy Morrison. Mrs. Lisle (Clarice) Morrison is the wife of Howard Lisle Morrison.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
In 1854 Nancy at the age of 15 came to Delaware County, IA with the Cyrus C. Reed Family. Cyrus married her sister, Mary Ann. Young Nancy came with her sister probably to help with the 2 young Reed children, Susan V (about 3 yrs) and Flora Belle (abt 15 month+) Reed. Before she married James Morrison, Nancy taught school at the age of 16 in Delaware County. James and Nancy were married Dec. 25, 1855.
James came to Delaware County when he was 21 years of age--about 1853 from Muskingum County, Ohio.