Gouverneur Morris Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gouverneur Morris II
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| Born | February 9, 1813 Morrisania, Bronx, New York, U.S.
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| Died | August 20, 1888 (aged 75) Bartow-on-the-Sound, Pelham, New York, U.S.
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| Resting place | St. Ann's Episcopal Church (Bronx) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Railroad executive |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Jefferson Cary |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Gouverneur Morris Ann Cary Randolph |
| Relatives |
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Gouverneur Morris II (born in 1813, died in 1888) was an important American businessman. He was a railroad executive, which means he helped build and run train lines. His father, also named Gouverneur Morris, was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Gouverneur Morris II was born on February 9, 1813. His birthplace was Morrisania, a neighborhood in the Bronx, New York City.
His father, Gouverneur Morris (1752–1816), was a famous Founding Father of the United States. His mother was Ann Cary Randolph (1774–1837), who was often called "Nancy."
Building Railroads and Communities
Morris was a very active businessman in the Bronx during the 1800s. He helped shape the area a lot.
He was the Vice President of the New York and Harlem River Railroad. In this role, he helped build the train line that now runs along Park Avenue in New York City.
In 1840, he gave land to build St. Ann's Church. This church was a special memorial for his family.
Morris also worked to make Port Morris a busy trading port. In 1848, he gave land to skilled workers. He wanted to create a perfect village for working people, and he named it Morrisania. This area is still known as Morrisania today.
Later in his career, he moved to Vermont. There, he became the president of the Vermont Valley Railroad.
Political Involvement
Gouverneur Morris II was not as involved in politics as his famous father. However, he was one of the people who helped start the Republican Party. He even attended its first big meeting in 1854.
His Family and Descendants
Gouverneur Morris II married his first cousin, Martha Jefferson Cary. She was the daughter of a writer named Virginia Randolph Cary.
Together, they had three children:
- Gouverneur Morris III (1842–1897)
- Anne Cary Morris (1847–1926), who married Alfred Percival Maudslay. He was a British diplomat, explorer, and archaeologist.
- Peter Randolph Morris (1865–1934), who helped start the Overland Stage Line in Denver, Colorado.
Gouverneur Morris II passed away on August 20, 1888, in Pelham, New York. He was buried at St. Ann's Episcopal Church in the Bronx.
Notable Family Members
His grandson, Gouverneur Morris IV (1876–1953), became a writer. He wrote many popular adventure stories and short stories in the early 1900s. Some of his stories were even made into movies, like the famous Lon Chaney film, The Penalty, made in 1920.
His granddaughter, Henrietta Fairfax Morris, married Stephen Bonsal (1865–1951). He was a journalist and war correspondent who won a special award called the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1945.
His great-grandson, Philip Bonsal (1903–1995), was a diplomat. He worked for the U.S. Department of State. He even served as the United States Ambassador to Cuba from 1959 to 1960.
See also
- Randolph family of Virginia
- List of United States political families
