William Ralls Morrison

Hon. William Ralls Morrison, for sixteen years a Member of Congress from the Eighteenth Congressional District of Illinois, was born in Monroe County, Ill., September 14, 1825. He secured his preliminary education in the common schools, and afterward attended McKendree College. He enlisted in the Mexican War and served as a private in Colonel Bissel's regiment under General Taylor, after which he studied law and was admitted to the Bar in Monroe County

In 1852 Mr. Morrison was elected Clerk of Monroe County, and served in that capacity until 1854, when he resigned. He was then chosen to represent his district in the Legislature and became Speaker of the House in 1859. At the beginning of the Rebellion he organized the Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry and took an active and prominent part in the early portion of the war. At the battle of Ft. Donelson he was severely wounded. In 1862, while in command of his regiment, he was elected by the Democratic party to the Thirty-eighth Congress, but was defeated for the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses.

In 1872 Colonel Morrison again received the nomination by the Democratic party, and was elected, taking his seat the following year and serving until 1887. From 1875 until 1877, and again from 1883 to 1887, he was Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and in that responsible position rendered efficient service, as he did in every other duty entrusted to him. In 1886 he was defeated for re-election. He was a delegate to the National Union Convention in 1866, and to the Democratic Conventions of 1856, 1868, 1884 and 1888. At the time of the last election of General Logan to the United States Senate, Colonel Morrison was his opponent, and there was a difference of but two votes between their respective parties. Though the matter was long and hotly contested, the relations between the two were of the most friendly character, as they had been friends from an early day and comrades during the war.

At the expiration of his Congressional service, in March, 1887, Colonel Morrison was appointed by President Cleveland a member of the Inter-State Commerce Commission for a term of five years, and was re-appointed by President Harrison for six years. For a long time he has been a prominent factor in the Democratic party, which he more truly represents than any one else in this section. On two occasions he has had a strong following for the Presidential nomination. He is still active and influential in the councils of his party, and is held in high regard, not only by those of similar political belief, but by his fellow men, irrespective of party affiliations.