MOSES JENRY MORSMAN, M.D.
Moses
Jenry Morsman, M.D., numbered among the able and successful pioneer
physicians of Iowa City, Iowa, but now retired from the active duties
of the medical profession,has been a constant resident of his present
locality for about forty-seven years, and a man of enterprise and
sterling integrity of character, has been prominently connected with
various important city and county offices, and while occupying the
mayoral chair as Chief Executive, and as a valued member of the Commons
Council, has with earnest effort advanced the growing interests of Iowa
City and won the esteem of his fellow-citizens. Dr.. Morsman was
born May 20, 1812, near Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. His father,
Martin Morsman, was a native of New Hampshire, but was of Scotch
descent and an excellent farmer, carefully tilling the rugged soil of
New England. The paternal grandfather, Oliver Morsman, was a
courageous soldier of the Revolutionary War and drew a pension, having
served faithfully during the entire seven years of the struggle for
independence. The mother of our subject was Mrs. Abagail
(Phillips) Morsman, daughter of Parley Phillips, an American by birth,
but of Irish descent, and a man of ability and integrity. Mrs.
Morsman was born in Oneida County, N. Y., and was a most estimable
woman, devoted wife and loving mother.
Dr. Morsman spent his youth
in his native county, and there attended the schools of the district,
later teaching for a time, but soon began studying medicine under Dr.
Amos M. Dunten, of Plessis, N. Y., afterward reading with Dr. Davidson,
in Theresa, also in Jefferson County. Finally he entered Herkimer
Medical College and after a time, took out a county license and began
practice in Castalia, Ohio, about six miles from Sandusky City, and
entered upon a successful practice, remaining there for eleven
years. In 1846 the attractions of the West drew our subject to
Iowa, where he resumed his professional duties and in Iowa City he
established a fine practice extending out into the surrounding
country. At the expiration of twelve years of hard work and
incessant demands of professional duty, Dr. Morsman retired from the
wearing rounds of the general medical practitioner, and has since
variously employed himself, ever taking a deep and abiding
interest in local enterprise and improvements.
He was married
May 22, 1836 to Miss Mary Margaret Hubbard, of Castalia, Ohio.
She was a native of Fulton, Oneida County, N.Y., and a daughter of
Elisha A. and Amanda (Falley) Hubbard, old time residents of the Empire
State. The wife of Dr. Morsman was a cousin of President
Cleveland.
The hearts and home of our subject and his
estimable wife were brightened by the birth of eight intelligent
children, six manly sons and two daughters. Melvina A. married
the Hon. William P. Hepburn, the Member of Congress from the Eighth
Iowa District. Edgar M. is now the President, Treasurer and
General Manager of the Pacific Express Company, with headquarters at
Omaha, also President of the General Traffic Association of the Express
Companies. Louisa A. is the widow of John W. Porter, a prominent
lumberman, who died eight years ago. Westel W. is a successful attorney
of Omaha. Harley E. is the Pacific Express Agent at Sedalia,
Mo. Dr. Albert Morsman is a successful business man and has
charge of the purchasing department of the Pacific Express
Company. Herman A. resides in St. Louis, and is agent for the
Pacific and United States Express Companies joint offices and Manager
for the St. Louis Division of the United States Express Company; he is
a graduate of the law department of the Iowa State University.
Dorman J. was the agent of the Pacific and Wells-Fargo Express
Companies at Denison, Tex, until recently, when these companies were
superseded by the American Express Company, and is now the agent of
that company. The beloved mother of these sons and daughters
passed away in 1880, mourned by all who knew her. She was a woman
of high principle, and ever ready to befriend the poor and suffering,
found many who needed her kindly care. Dr. Morsman is the oldest
man living who ever practiced medicine in Iowa City, having begun in
1846.
Politically, Dr. Morsman is a Jacksonian Democrat and a
firm advocate of the principles of his party. He made one of the
best Mayors Iowa City has ever had, and in the Common Council his wise
suggestions and excellent judgment were thoroughly appreciated and
acted upon. As President of the Bord of Supervisors for three
years, he promoted and aided in the completion of needed improvements,
and worked for the public interests. A friend of educational
advancement, he was Vice-president of the Board of Trustees of the
State University, and for five years was present at and for most of the
time presiding officer of, the various meetings of the Board,
encouraging and stimulating his co-workers in a cause dear to the heart
of every true American, who cannot fail to realize that education is
the lever with which to elevate the masses. Our subject was the
Appraiser of all the lands in the State University, seventy two
sections, and in this capacity settled with the sixty squatters
scattered over the seventy-two sections of land. He was the first
man in Iowa City to be made President of a School Board and is now the
oldest man who was ever elected president of a bank in Iowa City and
the oldest man to hold that position in the State Historical
Society. The ability of Dr. Morsman as a promoter of
financial enterprises was recognized when he was unanimously selected
by the Board of Directors as the President of the First National Bank
of Iowa City. Our subject owns a handsome residence in Iowa City
and has an extensive farm which he now rents. Blessed with
prosperity he enjoys in the approaching evening of his age the
consciousness of a well-spent life, whose useful efforts have not been
in vain. For forty years, Dr. Morsman has affiliated with the
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, having attained the Royal Arch
degree and both within and without his honored order has a host of
old-time friends, who with him have borne the heat and burden of the
day and in the successful termination of their early struggles find a
rich reward.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Johnson, Poweshiek and Iowa Counties, Chicago Chapman Bros 1893
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