Individual Notes

Note for:   Adam Wilt,   ABT 1712 - ABT 1776         Index

Individual Note:
     Information gotten from Ancesstry.com so believe it or not.

Individual Note:
     Information gotten from Ancesstry.com so believe it or not.

Individual Notes

Note for:   James Victor Morris,   ABT 1913 - 8 MAR 2009         Index

Individual Note:
     Times West Virginian, Fairmont, WV

March 9, 2009 8:07 pm


James V. “J.V.” Morris, 95, of Enterprise, passed away in Monongah on Sunday (March 8, 2009).


Mr. Morris was born in Enterprise on Nov. 30, 1913, the son of the late Vinson M. Morris and Gertie Maud Fortney Morris.


Mr. Morris is survived by two sisters, Merle Morris Miller, and Margaret Jean Morris.


In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, George Ralph, Robert Fred, and Hubert Vinson Morris; and one sister, Betty Jean Morris.


Mr. Morris graduated from Clay District High School (Later Shinnston H.S.) in 1932, and became a student at Fairmont State College that fall. He later attended West Virginia University, attaining his M.A. degree. James was a teacher, beginning his teaching career with a provisional teaching certificate at the one-room Bice School in 1935, teaching grades 1-4. It was during this time that he completed his bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State in 1936. He then taught at Enterprise School, teaching 7th grade. After teaching there for two years, he transferred to Shinnston High School, where he taught Civics, Sociology, English, and Journalism, and served as Faculty Director of Athletics under Coach “Mickey” McClung. His career at SHS was interrupted in December 1942, at which time he entered the US Naval Reserves to serve his country during World War II, serving aboard the USS Arkansas in the Pacific Theater. He served as a Lieutenant in top secret communications on the staff of Admiral Glover. After the war ended in 1945, Jim returned to teaching at Adamston Jr. High School. It was at this time that he completed his M.A. Degree from WVU. Afterward, he immediately became an employee of the textbook publishers, D.C. Heath and Company of Boston, being their West Virginia Representative. He retired from this company in April of 1969.

Mr. Morris was actively involved in 4-H for many years, having joined the Enterprise Comrades 4-H Club in 1924. He also taught for many years at Jackson’s Mill during their summer 4-H camps.


He traveled the U.S. and Europe extensively and saw more than 300 Broadway plays. He was fortunate enough to have met Albert Einstein, and was the guest of USC Coach John McKay at the 1973 Rose Bowl Game when they defeated Ohio State.

Mr. Morris’ involvement in education has been phenomenal. One of his primary goals has been to encourage youth to realize the importance and value of an education. He has been a heavy supporter of scholarships for students wanting to obtain a post secondary education. He has established scholarship funds at Fairmont State College, West Virginia University, and Waynesburg College. In addition, he established the Rose Garden Fund at Jackson’s Mill. In 1985, a committee was formed by a group of of SHS Alumni to establish a scholarship in his name at Lincoln High School. He was inducted into the SHS Hall of Fame in 1997.

James was a member of the SHS, FSC, and WVU Alumni Associations, Shinnston Historical Association, American Legion Post 31, National Education Association, WV Association of Retired School Employees, WV 4-H All-Stars, the Pearl S Buck Foundation, St John’s Lodge No. 24, US Naval Reserve, and the Enterprise United Methodist Church.

Friends will be received at the Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston, from 12-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at the Harmer Funeral Home on Thursday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Brian Plum officiating. Interment will follow at the Enterprise I.O.O.F Cemetery.

Individual Note:
     Times West Virginian, Fairmont, WV

March 9, 2009 8:07 pm


James V. “J.V.” Morris, 95, of Enterprise, passed away in Monongah on Sunday (March 8, 2009).


Mr. Morris was born in Enterprise on Nov. 30, 1913, the son of the late Vinson M. Morris and Gertie Maud Fortney Morris.


Mr. Morris is survived by two sisters, Merle Morris Miller, and Margaret Jean Morris.


In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, George Ralph, Robert Fred, and Hubert Vinson Morris; and one sister, Betty Jean Morris.


Mr. Morris graduated from Clay District High School (Later Shinnston H.S.) in 1932, and became a student at Fairmont State College that fall. He later attended West Virginia University, attaining his M.A. degree. James was a teacher, beginning his teaching career with a provisional teaching certificate at the one-room Bice School in 1935, teaching grades 1-4. It was during this time that he completed his bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State in 1936. He then taught at Enterprise School, teaching 7th grade. After teaching there for two years, he transferred to Shinnston High School, where he taught Civics, Sociology, English, and Journalism, and served as Faculty Director of Athletics under Coach “Mickey” McClung. His career at SHS was interrupted in December 1942, at which time he entered the US Naval Reserves to serve his country during World War II, serving aboard the USS Arkansas in the Pacific Theater. He served as a Lieutenant in top secret communications on the staff of Admiral Glover. After the war ended in 1945, Jim returned to teaching at Adamston Jr. High School. It was at this time that he completed his M.A. Degree from WVU. Afterward, he immediately became an employee of the textbook publishers, D.C. Heath and Company of Boston, being their West Virginia Representative. He retired from this company in April of 1969.

Mr. Morris was actively involved in 4-H for many years, having joined the Enterprise Comrades 4-H Club in 1924. He also taught for many years at Jackson’s Mill during their summer 4-H camps.


He traveled the U.S. and Europe extensively and saw more than 300 Broadway plays. He was fortunate enough to have met Albert Einstein, and was the guest of USC Coach John McKay at the 1973 Rose Bowl Game when they defeated Ohio State.

Mr. Morris’ involvement in education has been phenomenal. One of his primary goals has been to encourage youth to realize the importance and value of an education. He has been a heavy supporter of scholarships for students wanting to obtain a post secondary education. He has established scholarship funds at Fairmont State College, West Virginia University, and Waynesburg College. In addition, he established the Rose Garden Fund at Jackson’s Mill. In 1985, a committee was formed by a group of of SHS Alumni to establish a scholarship in his name at Lincoln High School. He was inducted into the SHS Hall of Fame in 1997.

James was a member of the SHS, FSC, and WVU Alumni Associations, Shinnston Historical Association, American Legion Post 31, National Education Association, WV Association of Retired School Employees, WV 4-H All-Stars, the Pearl S Buck Foundation, St John’s Lodge No. 24, US Naval Reserve, and the Enterprise United Methodist Church.

Friends will be received at the Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston, from 12-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at the Harmer Funeral Home on Thursday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Brian Plum officiating. Interment will follow at the Enterprise I.O.O.F Cemetery.