William Ralls Morrison
William Ralls Morrison (September 14, 1824 – September 29, 1909) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. Early life and career Born on a farm at Prairie du Long, near the present town of Waterloo, Illinois, Morrison attended the common schools and McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois. He served in the war with Mexico. He went to California with the gold seekers in 1849, but returned to Illinois in 1851. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1855, and commenced practice in Waterloo, Illinois. Morrison served as clerk of the circuit court of Monroe County, Illinois, from 1852 to 1854 and as member of the State house of representatives 1854–1860, 1870, and 1871; he served as speaker in 1859 and 1860. Personal life Morrison married Eleanor Horan, whom he knew from childhood, when she was 17 and he was 27. Morrison was wounded at the Battle of Fort Donelson while serving with the Union Army during the American Civil War, and his wife nursed him back to health. During congressional sessions, the Morrisons resided at the Willard Hotel. Civil War service In 1861, Morrison helped organize and was appointed colonel of the 49th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the