Background
Morrison, William Ralls was born on September 14, 1825 in Monroe Company, Illinois, United States. Son of John and Anne (Ralls) Morrison.
Morrison, William Ralls was born on September 14, 1825 in Monroe Company, Illinois, United States. Son of John and Anne (Ralls) Morrison.
Educated McKendree College. Private in Mexican war and in battle of Buena Vista. Went to California, 1849, returned to Illinois, 1851.
Admitted to Illinois bar.
Clerk Circuit Court, Monroe Company, 1852-1854. Member Illinois legislature, 1854-1860, 1871-1872 (speaker, 1859-1860). Organized and was colonel 49th Illinois Volumes, 1861-December, 1863.
Member Congress, 1863-1865, 1873-1887. Chairman Committee on Ways and Means, 1875-1877, 1883-1887. Introduced, besides several others, the tariff bill known as the “horizontal” or “Morrison” bill.
Defeated for reelection, 1886. Defeated for United States Senate in Illinois legislature, 1885, by John A. Logan. Interstate commerce commissioner, 1887-1897, and chairman of the commission, 1891-1897.
Member Illinois legislature, 1854-1860, 1871-1872 (speaker, 1859-1860). Member Congress, 1863-1865, 1873-1887.