Biography - Zachariah Morrow
ZACHARIAH ALLEN MORROW was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., January 9,
1809. He is the third of a family of eleven children of John and Mary
Morrow. Mr. John Morrow was a native of Roawan county, North Carolina; his
wife was born in South Carolina; they became acquainted with each other in
Tennessee, and in that state were married. They emigrated to Illinois in
1833. Mrs. Morrow died at the old homestead in Tennessee, in the year 1831,
and Mr. M. came to this state with his son Zachariah, with whom resided
until his death, which occurred April 13, 1834.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the district
schools of his native state, though educational facilities there at that
early day were very limited, and it was difficult for the some of the early
pioneer to get much learning, owing, also, to the scarcity of books and
teachers. Yet our hero struggled bravely up through these adverse
circumstances, pursuing most of his studies at night by the light of the
fire-place. For several years during his early manhood the summer months
were employed in boating on the Cumberland river. On he 18th October, 1832,
he was married to Miss Rebecca Eddelman, daughter of Boston and Sarah
Eddelman, both natives of North Carolina, though early residents of
Tennessee. In 1828 Mr. Morrow made a prospecting trip to Greene county,
Illinois, and stayed with his uncle, William Morrow, at Apple Creek Bridge,
about one year. He then returned to Tennessee, after which he made a trip to
Mississippi and Arkansas, where he spent upwards of two years, and as stated
above, returned and made a permanent settlement, in 1833, in this county. He
settled on a farm near Whitaker's Creek, and in 1835 entered land in the
north-east part of the county, on Apple Creek, where he resided until 1848,
when, in August of that year, he was elected sheriff of Greene county and
after the expiration of his term of office, was elected to fill a vacancy in
the office of circuit clerk, occasioned by the death of Wm. Carlin. After
serving through the unexpired term of clerkship, he was re-elected sheriff
in the fall of 1852. In all his official trusts he brought to bear an
ability and integrity that were never doubted. After the expiration of that
term of office he purchased a tract of land adjoining the town of
Carrollton, and laid out an addition, known as Sharon, Calvin, and Morrow's
addition to the city of Carrollton.
In glancing over the past life of Mr. Morrow we find much to commend. The
circumstances, in a pecuniary point of view, which attended his early
career, were not very encouraging. When he landed in Illinois with his young
wife and child, he had only one dollar and a half in money, a pony, and a
"Dearborn" wagon. Yet the young pioneer was not to be daunted by those
adverse circumstances. He set about bravely to overcome what, to many, might
seem insurmountable obstacles, and his struggle without means was of short
duration. He is now to be ranked among the well-to-do men of Greene county.
In the winter of 1852 Mr. Morrow and wife became members of the Baptist
church, and for several years he held the responsible position of deacon.
They had eleven children, seven of whom are deceased. His political life has
been associated with the democracy, and he is a believer in the old
Jeffersonian and Jacksonian principles of the party in its purity and power.
His first vote for president was cast for Martin Van Buren, and he has voted
at every presidential election since then. On the 13th November, 1871, the
partner of his early youth breathed her last at their residence. Mr. Morrow
has endeavored to give his children the benefits of a good common education.
In summing up his character, we fiind that his conduct has been governed by
principles of the purest integrity and rectitude. Those who know him best
unite in our opinion; viz.: that he is an honest and true man. In the year
1849 he joined the masonic order, and has since been an honorable and
consistent member. He is one of those whom we class among self-made men.
Extracted 05 Jan 2017 & 06 Jun 2018 by Norma Hass from Atlas Map of Greene County Illinois, 1873, page 38.
