Thomas Z. Morrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Z. Morrow
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| Circuit Court Judge for Kentucky's 8th district | |
| In office 1886–1903 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Zanzinger Morrow
September 3, 1836 Boyle County, Kentucky |
| Died | August 25, 1913 (aged 76) Somerset, Kentucky |
| Nationality | Scottish-American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Virginia Catherine Bradley |
| Relations | Brother-in-law of William O. Bradley |
| Children | Edwin P. Morrow |
| Alma mater | Centre College Transylvania University |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1863 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit |  32nd Kentucky Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Civil War |
Thomas Zanzinger Morrow (born September 3, 1836 – died August 25, 1913) was an important person in Kentucky. He was a lawyer, a judge, and a politician. He helped start the Republican Party in Kentucky.
His family was also very involved in politics. His brother-in-law, William O'Connell Bradley, became the governor of Kentucky in 1895. Later, Thomas's own son, Edwin P. Morrow, also became governor in 1919.
Thomas Morrow supported Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860. He served in both parts of the Kentucky General Assembly (the state's law-making body). During the American Civil War, he led the 32nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry for the Union Army. After the war, he stayed active in the Republican Party. He ran for governor in 1883 but did not win. He then served for 17 years as a circuit court judge. He passed away in 1913 after being sick for a while.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas Morrow was born in Boyle County, Kentucky, on September 3, 1836. He was one of six children. His parents were Alexander S. and Margaret (Boyd) Morrow. His grandparents came from Scotland to America before the American Revolutionary War.
His family moved to Danville, Kentucky, in 1848. There, his father worked as a merchant and ran a hotel. Thomas went to Centre College and finished his studies in 1855. Many of his classmates also became famous. These included future governors and congressmen. After college, he studied law at Transylvania University and graduated in 1856.
After law school, Morrow taught school for six months. In 1857, he moved to Somerset, Kentucky. For one year, he worked as an editor for a newspaper. Then, he started his own law practice. In 1858, he was chosen as the county attorney for Pulaski County, Kentucky. He worked in this role until 1861.
Thomas Morrow married Catherine Virginia Bradley on December 24, 1858. Catherine was the sister of William O'Connell Bradley. William later became the first Republican governor of Kentucky. Thomas and Catherine had eight children, seven boys and one girl. Their youngest children were twin boys. One of them was Edwin P. Morrow, who became governor in 1919.
Service During the Civil War
Thomas Morrow strongly supported the Union during the American Civil War. He was one of 28 men who helped create the Republican Party in Kentucky. He also actively supported Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election. In 1861, he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. He served there until 1863.
Morrow helped gather soldiers for the 32nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. This unit was part of the Union Army. Interestingly, three of his own brothers joined the Confederate States Army. His unit started service on October 28, 1862. Thomas Morrow was their lieutenant colonel. They fought in battles, including the Battle of Stanford. Morrow left the army on August 12, 1863.
Later Political Career
In 1865, Thomas Morrow was elected to the Kentucky Senate. However, he left this job the next year. He was appointed as a U.S. Assessor for taxes. He worked in this role until 1869. In 1870, he moved to Topeka, Kansas, for about a year. Then he returned to Somerset and continued his law practice.
He was a representative for Kentucky at the Republican National Convention in 1876. This is where the Republican Party chooses its candidate for president. He was also an alternate representative in 1880.
In 1883, Thomas Morrow was chosen to run for governor of Kentucky. He ran against J. Proctor Knott, a very popular politician. Morrow argued that the other party had wasted the state's money. He also criticized the outgoing governor. However, Knott was a better speaker, and Morrow lost the election.
In 1884, Morrow led the Republican State Central Committee. In 1886, he was elected as a circuit court judge. He won by a good number of votes. He kept this important job for 17 years. Also in 1886, he became a leader in a group for Civil War veterans. He was a founding member of the First Presbyterian Church in Somerset. He was also part of other community groups like the Elks and Odd Fellows.
In 1908, the city of Somerset honored him. They put up a plaque in a public park to celebrate his contributions. Thomas Morrow passed away on August 25, 1913. He was buried in the city cemetery in Somerset.
Images for kids
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Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia
