Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
James Morin
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana
Logansport: Bowen, 1898
James Morin, one of the most prosperous farmers of Harrison Township, Daviess County, Ind., is a native of Ireland, was born in county Derry, in 1831, and is the third of the family of six sons and three daughters born to Hugh and Catherine (McGurk) Morin. Of the nine children alluded to, six are still living, viz: Sarah, the wife of John McGookin, of Ireland; James the subject of this notice; Francis, a farmer of Kentucky; John, Susan, and Hugh, in Ireland. James Morin was confirmed in the Catholic faith at the age of seven years, and it may be mentioned that at the same ceremony a gentleman, Thomas McGovern, was also confirmed at the age of 110 years. In 1851 Mr. Morin sailed from Londonderry, and after a voyage of four weeks and two days, landed in New York city, whence he went to Paterson, N. J., worked for Charles Hughes in the vicinity of the city on a farm one month, and then for six months in a dye house. May 10, 1852, he left New Jersey for New York city, whence, by a circuitous route, he departed for the West and arrived in Lexington, Ky., May 24, 1852, in which city and in its neighborhood he was employed several years building stone fences and in labor work generally until 1867, when he came to Daviess County. Ind., and purchased eighty acres of partially improved land in Harrison township, for which he deposited twenty-five dollars to bind the bargain. He then returned to Kentucky, but in a short time came back and paid for his farm in full, then made another trip to Kentucky, and finally, October 18, 1869, left Louisville and took up his permanent residence on his present fertile farm. The marriage of Mr. Morin was solemnized by Father McMahon at Lexington, Ky., in 1860, with Miss Margaret Rodgers, who was born in Ireland in 1842, and was confirmed a Catholic at the age of fourteen years. In politics Mr. Morin is a solid democrat and cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan, has voted with, and for his party ever since, and cast his last presidential vote for William J. Bryan and free silver. Although Mr. Morin came to America a poor boy, he has through his industry and good management secured a competency. Aided by his devoted wife, he has accumulated 118 acres of excellent farm land, which he has placed under a good state of cultivation. They are members of St.Patrick's parish.
Contributed by: John D. McMullen