Orsemus Morrison

Orsemus Morrison (1807 – 1864) was an early settler and politician of Chicago.

Early life Morrison was born on June 24, 1807, to a family from Cambridge, New York.

Career After working on the construction of the Erie Canal, he moved from Buffalo, New York, to Chicago in early 1833. As High Constable, he was the city's first head of police from his election until May 2, 1837.

He was elected the Cook County Coroner in August 1836, having been nominated by the Democratic Party.

Morrison was elected and served as street commissioner. From 1840 to 1841, he served as an alderman from the 1st ward of Chicago.

In 1838, he purchased land on the corner of Clark and Madison in Chicago. This later became the location of the Morrison Hotel, the original building of which was built in 1860. He made a number of other real estate purchases in Chicago. When he died, he was survived by two daughters, Hannah Spofford and Lucy Mills, the latter of whom was married to congressman Daniel W. Mills.