California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 DAVID WILLIAM MORRIS. The present postmaster of Modesto is a man who well de- serves the esteem and confidence which is given him by his fellow-townsmen. Though not a na- tive of California nor yet of the country wherein he has made his home for so many years he has still given his best efforts toward the promotion of the welfare of city, county and state, as well as having enlisted in the cause of the country in time of war, having served as captain in the Spanish-American war. A native of Cardiganshire, Wales, he was born April 21, i860, a son of Morris and Mary (Lloyd) Morris, both likewise natives of the same locality. The father was a farmer by occupation and still makes his home in Wales, being now seventy-two years old, while his wife died there aged seventy years. Reared to manhood in his native land, Mr. Morris received his education in the common schools, upon the completion of the course securing employment with a grocer, a business which he afterward took up for himself. This work occupied his attention until 1882, but foreseeing greater opportunities on the American continent lie immigrated in that year, and landing in New York City remained for a short time in that locality. His next move brought him to the Pacific coast, from San Francisco journeying at once to Modesto, Stanislaus county, where he has since made his home. Upon his locating here, he first engaged in running a restaurant, with which in- terest he remained connected until 1887, combining then a news agency with the printing business. For twelve years he worked on the News. At the breaking out of the Spanish- American war he was made captain of Company D, Sixth California Regiment of Infantry, Na- tional Guards, being mustered into the United States service May 10, 1898. Until December 15 of the same year this regiment performed guard duty at Fort Point, and was then mus- tered out of service. Returning then to Modesto Mr. Morris once more resumed his business rela- tions, handling in his news agency the San Francisco papers, cigars, stationery, etc. April 24, 1902, he received the appointment to the office of postmaster of Modesto, a third-class office, and he has since acceptably discharged the duties of the same. Mr. Morris was married in San Francisco to Mrs. Lottie Leet, a native of New Brunswick, having come to California with her parents. Her father, Joseph Ridgeway, a native of England, was a manufacturer and came to California, his death occurring in San Francisco. To Mr. and Mrs. Morris have been born two children, both of whom are at home with their parents, namely : Florence and Irma. Fraternally Mr. Morris is a member of Lodge No. 118, B. P. O. E., of Stockton, and Knights of Pythias of Modesto. Politically he is an adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party. He now ranks as major of the Sixth California Regiment, National Guards, and is much esteemed and liked by all his associates and fellow-citizens.