George Austin Morrison
George Austin Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Mondynes, Fordoun, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Died | February 26, 1916 (aged 83) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, banker, industrialist |
| Known for | President and chairman of The American Cotton Oil Company; director at Third National Bank and Northern Pacific Railroad; leader in Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York |
George Austin Morrison (November 30, 1832 – February 26, 1916) was a prominent American figure known for his roles in commerce, banking, and industry.
Early life
Born on November 30, 1832, at Mondynes within the parish of Fordoun, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Morrison was the offspring of Alexander Morrison and Christian (née Lyall) Morrison. His lineage was connected to notable Aberdeenshire families such as the Lyalls, Austins, and Burns.
His education began at the parish school in Fourdon and continued at Aberdeen Grammar School. At sixteen, he relocated to reside with his maternal uncle, George Lyall, who was a general merchant based in Aberdeen with a branch office in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Career
Following his initial training in his uncle's merchant enterprise, Morrison departed from 99 Union Street, Aberdeen and moved to London in 1852. There, he joined the firm of George Moore—Groucock, Copestake, Moore & Co.—a prominent trading company located in Bow Yard. In 1856, he transitioned to New York City to oversee a department at Cochran & Company, a wholesale dry goods business managed by Thomas Cochrane.
As Cochran & Company's European buyer, Morrison made over 110 transatlantic voyages and became a partner by 1865. After the company restructured into Cochrane, McLean & Co. in 1869, he established Morrison, Herriman & Co. alongside John Herriman. This wholesale dry goods firm concentrated on lace, linen, and white goods and operated for two decades until it dissolved in 1889.
Upon retiring from merchandising activities, Morrison redirected his efforts toward banking, industrial ventures, and railroad enterprises. He held directorships at the Third National Bank and the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1895, he assumed the presidency—and subsequently the chairmanship—of The American Cotton Oil Company (a forerunner of Bestfoods, now under Unilever), which was among the original dozen companies featured in the first 1896 Dow Jones Industrial Average. Although stepping down as president in 1911, he continued serving on the executive committee until his death in 1916. His successor as director was Clarence M. Woolley from the American Radiator Co..
Social and club life
Morrison was affiliated with several distinguished institutions including the New-York Historical Society, American Hackney Horse Society, National Academy of Design, New York Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, New York Botanical Gardens, Holland Lodge of New York, St. George's Society, Century Association, Metropolitan Club, Lawyers' Club, and New York Yacht Club.
He joined the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York in 1864 and became a life member by 1881. His leadership roles there included manager from 1884 to 1889, first vice-president between 1889 and 1893, and president from 1893 until 1895.
Personal life
On May 26, 1863, Morrison married Lucy Anne King (1844–1891), daughter of Eseck Clarke King and Sarah Coe King from New Lebanon, New York. Their residence was located at 10 East 54th Street. The couple had two sons:
- George Austin Morrison Jr. (1864–1916), who graduated from Harvard and Columbia and married Magdalen S. Worden.
- Charles King Morrison (1867–1920), also a Harvard and Columbia alumnus who wed Mildred Horsten Hoag, daughter of Dr. William E. Hoag.
Lucy passed away in 1891. George Austin Morrison died at his home known as The Kenilworth in New York City on February 26, 1916; his funeral services took place at 151 Central Park West. His eldest son died later that year on November 29. With neither son producing descendants, this branch of the Morrison family line ended following Charles’s death in 1920.