"No Man in the Sphere Within Which He Acted Ever Commanded Or
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Ohio's Canal System row was a strong supporter of the canal father of New York's Erie Canal, gave In 1817 Morrow helped organize the first system and state support of public edu- the address near Buckeye Lake at the canal company in Ohio. He was one of cation. The tax system was reformed and ground breaking for the Ohio Canal and the eleven directors of the Little Miami established on a more equitable and turned the first spade full of earth. New Canal and Banking Co. Its purpose was York had just completed its canal link- to construct such dams and locks neces- ing the Atlantic to Lake Erie. sary to enable boats to navigate the Little Whig Party Formation Miami from the Ohio River north to "No man in the sphere Following his service as governor, Mor- Waynesville. He served as president of a row represented Warren County in the turnpike company that constructed a road within which he acted 1827-1828 session of the Ohio Senate to Cincinnati and as president of the Little and in the 1829-1830 of the Ohio House Miami Railroad Co. ever commanded or of Representatives. Throughout his career Morrow consid- deserved the implicit Morrow was a founder of the Ohio ered himself a farmer. There are many Whig party, presiding over the first state stories of important persons coming to respect of Congress convention in 1827. He headed the elec- visit the governor and finding him toral ticket for John Quincy Adams in dressed like any other farmer in the neigh- more than Jeremiah 1828 and represented his congressional borhood working in his barn or fields. district at the 1831 National Convention, One of his most endearing qualities was Morrow." which nominated Henry Clay for presi- his down-home manners and lack of pre- dent; his name headed the Clay ticket in tentiousness. Ohio the following year. Following his retirement from Con- Morrow returned to Congress in 1840 stable basis providing gress, Morrow was appointed a Canal the financial basis when Thomas Corwin resigned to be- for the Commissioner in 1820 and again in 1822. other two reforms. come governor and served for three The commission was charged by the Gen- The canal systems, public education years. He declined to run for reelection eral Assembly with investigating the fea- system and ad valorem tax system were or for election to the constitutional con- sibility of constructing a canal connect- the most important accomplishments of vention. the state government since its formation ing Lake Erie to the Ohio River. This was He explained that he lived through his and all were accomplished while Mor- of critical importance to Ohio because it age and generation, serving it as best he row served as Governor.. would provide an inexpensive way of could. It was now time for younger men, transporting agricultural and manufactur- During his administration, Morrow attuned to the needs of the present gen- participated in two ing products to markets outside the state events of great im- eration, to assume the responsibilities of and trade goods into the state. portance to the people of Ohio, one look- public office. He spent the remainder of On the other hand, it was an incred- ing with reverence and appreciation to the his life at his beloved farm on the Little ibly expensive undertaking for the young past and the other with confidence and Miami and died there on 22 March 1852. state. On 4 January 1823, the commis- excitement to the future. On 19 May sion rendered a favorable report to the 1825, General Marquis De Lafayette ar- Associate Reformed General Assembly on five possible routes rived at Cincinnati on his tour of the Church i and alternative means of financing. An- United States in anticipation of the Morrow was a founder, member, and el- other report was submitted the following nation's celebration of 50 years of inde- der of the Sycamore Associate Reformed , year showing that eastern bankers were pendence. Church for over 50 years. The Associate ?:interested in financing the venture. On 4 1l[wntn T'.cI1- me people1 .1- oi-_ .. ' ..February 1825 an act was passed autho- Cincinnati and sur- rizing construction of the canals to be- rounding areas looking |gin. on, Morrow met Lafayette at the wharf Governor Morrow and in a few touching, Morrow was elected governor of Ohio unaffected words as- nd served for two terms from 1823 to sured him that a 826. During his administration the con- nation's heart greeted Sction of the canals was begun. Also, him with its love and eSchool Act of 1825 was passed which homage. On 4 July inilfated a state system of public educa- 1825, New York Gover- tonin Ohio supported by taxation. Mor- nor DeWitt Clinton, and OGS Genealogy News - January/February 2004 19.