Edward Morris (businessman)

Edward Morris (October 1, 1866 – November 3, 1913) was President of Morris & Company, one of the three main meat-packing companies in Chicago.[1]

Edward Morris
Born(1866-10-01)October 1, 1866
Chicago, Illinois
DiedNovember 3, 1913(1913-11-03) (aged 47)
Chicago, Illinois
Resting placeRosehill Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMeatpacker
Known forPresident of Morris & Company
SpouseHelen Swift Morris
Children4 including Muriel Gardiner and Ruth Morris Bakwin
Parent(s)Nelson Morris
Sarah Vogel Morris
RelativesIra Nelson Morris (brother)
Abram M. Rothschild (brother-in-law)

Biography edit

He was born to a Jewish family in Chicago on October 1, 1866, to Sarah (née Vogel) and Nelson Morris.[2][3][4] His brother was diplomat Ira Nelson Morris.[3] As president of Morris and Company, Edward Morris was involved in the decision, in 1902, to form the National Packing Co. This holding company was targeted by Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh under the Elkins Act and eventually broken up in 1912.

Personal life edit

In 1890, he married Helen Swift, daughter of Gustavus Swift.[5] They had 4 children: Edward Morris, Jr., Nelson Swift Morris (married to French singer Jeanne Aubert), pediatrician Ruth Morris Bakwin (married to pediatrician Harry Bakwin), and psychiatrist, Muriel Morris Gardiner Buttinger (married to Austrian politician Joseph Buttinger).[1][6] He died on November 3, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois of kidney disease.[2][5] He was buried at Rosehill Cemetery.[4] In 1917 his widow married Francis Neilson.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Guide to the Edward Morris House Collection 1913-1919". University of Chicago. Retrieved March 21, 2015. Morris was born in Chicago on October 1, 1866. His father, Nelson Morris, founded Morris & Co. Edward was educated in Chicago public schools, and his natural aptitude and interest in his father's business led him to begin spending time there at age 14. In 1890, Morris married Helen Swift, a daughter of one of his two main competitors. The couple had four children, Nelson II, Edward, Jr., Ruth, and Muriel. Muriel Morris Gardner later became a renowned psychiatrist. ...
  2. ^ a b "Ed. Morris Dead. Left $40,000,000. Chicago Packer, Son of the Late Nelson Morris, Was 47 Years Old. Began His Career at 14. Bought Interest of His Brother and Sisters After Father's Death. His Wife Was Helen Swift" (PDF). The New York Times. Chicago. November 4, 1913. p. 9. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Roth, Nelson (Spring 2008). "Nelson Morris and 'The Yards'" (PDF). Chicago Jewish Historical Society.
  4. ^ a b "Edward Morris, Packer, is Dead". Chicago Tribune. November 4, 1913. p. 5. Retrieved February 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Morris Millions In Trust. Packer's Widow Controls. Will Be One of World's Wealthiest Women". The New York Times. Chicago. November 12, 1913. p. 11. Retrieved February 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Mrs. Helen Swift Morris was placed in control of the $20,000,000 estate of her husband, Edward Morris, the packer, by his will filed here to-day. This makes Mrs. Morris, who inherited a large fortune from her father, Gustavus Swift, the packer, one of the wealthiest women in the world. ...
  6. ^ Chicago Historical Society: Charter, Constitution, By-laws, Membership List, Annual Report. Leopold Classic Library. June 30, 2015. pp. 60–61.