From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 414-416

Captain John K. Morrow, a native of Richland County, Ohio, was born in Mansfield, March 5, 1827, a son of James Morrow, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and Mary (Turk) Morrow, a native of Scotland. James Morrow came to America in his early manhood. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He subsequently returned to his native country, and was married in Scotland to Mary Turk. In 1816 they came to the United States, and lived a year in Alleghany County, Pa., and in 1827 moved to Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, where he died in 1848. He was a sculptor and builder, and a very fine artisan. After the father's death John K. moved to Williams County, Ohio, with his mother, where she died in 1854. He received a liberal education, and at the time of his father's death was attending Oberlin (Ohio) College. He was then obliged to leave school, and began teaching to support his mother and sister. In the meantime he began the study of law in the office of Case & Foster, and in 1853 was admitted to the bar at Perrysburg, Wood County. He soon after began the practice of his profession at Bryan, Ohio and in 1856 went to Lagrange Centre, Lagrange Co., Ind. In January, 1857, he established the Lagrange Standard, the first paper of the county. The motto of his paper was, "Eternal Hostility to the Extension of Slavery." In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry, raising Company C, of which he was commissioned First Lieutenant. He was at the battle of Vicksburg at the time of Sherman's defeat, Jackson, Miss., the siege and capture of Vicksburg, second battle of Jackson, Mission Ridge. March 4, 1864, he resigned on account of failing health. He was commissioned Captain of his company June 3, 1863. When he left the regiment the officers gave him the following letter, expressive of their esteem and fraternal friendship:

"BELLEFONTE STATION, ALA., March 4, 1864.

"CAPT. J. K. MORROW, Company C, One Hundredth Indiana:

"DEAR SIR: We have just learned of the acceptance of your resignation, which reminds us that we are to be separated from a brave soldier and true friend, and one who has shared for a long time with us the hardships and privations of a soldier's life. Your soldierly bearing and your generous heart has won for you the confidence and esteem of the officers and men of the entire regiment, and it is with much reluctance that we part with you. You will leave the field of strife, and when you retire to a quiet home, surrounded by family and friends, we trust that we will not be forgotten; that your influence will ever be on the side of right and support of our brave old flag.

"Very respectfully,

"W. H. VERNON, Captain Company D.

"JOHN W. HEADINGTON, Captain Company H.

"GIDEON RATHBUN, First Lieutenant Company H.

"J. M. CARR, Captain Company G.

"LEONARD AKER, First Lieutenant Company F.

"A. H. LINHART, Second Lieutenant Company F.

"J. W. GUSINGER, Lieutenant Company E.

"T. C. DALBY, Captain Company I.

"NOAH S. COTTERLIN, First Lieutenant Company I.

"ED. FORBES, First Lieutenant Company C.

"J. H. MORE, First Lieutenant Company A.

"ORLA J. FAST, Captain Company B.

"ED. GOLDSMITH, First Lieutenant Company B.

"W. H. GEA, Adjutant One Hundredth Ind. Infantry."

In 1865 Captain Morrow moved to Angola, where he has since lived. He has established a good record as an attorney, and has served on the bench as Judge pro tem. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms. He was married May 5, 1853, to Mary A. Coblentz, a native of Ohio, of German descent. To them have been born three children; but two are living -- James H. and John M. Captain Morrow is a member of the Knights of Honor and Grand Army of the Republic.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com