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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of H. C. DeMORRIS, M.D. 

Pages 793-794, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: DeMORRIS, DuMARS, HARTLEY, LOWERY, McCLELLAND] 

    
H.C. DeMORRIS, M.D. There are few men of the present day more successful, or more worthy of honorable mention than the subject of our present sketch. A record of his life fully illustrates what may be accomplished by determined will and perseverance, for through his own efforts he has risen to the position of a leading practitioner in this community, and is well and favorably known throughout the county. 
    
Born at a time when the education of children did not receive special attention, he gained only a limited amount of literary training, but at an early age evinced a special tendency towards the practice of medicine, his greatest desire being to reach a proud position in the ranks of eminent medical men. He is to-day a physician and surgeon whose skill is generally recognized, and has practiced most successfully for forty years. 
    
Our subject was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on the 19th of October, 1820. His father‹Christopher DeMorris, was a Frenchman by birth and education, and his mother was a native of Scotland. To them were born eight children, viz: Samuel D., Christopher, Nancey, John, Martha, Sarah; Margaret; and Huston C., the subject of our sketch, who is the only one of the children living at the present time. As before stated his education was not very extensive. He attended a subscription school held in a little log house, and many times was forced to walk two miles when the snow was fully two feet deep, and the wintry winds were bleak and cold. 
    
Dr. DeMorris being reared on a farm necessarily led a quiet life, and had an abundance of time to exercise his mental vigor in thinking of serious subjects. At the age of twenty he began to read medicine under Dr. McClelland of Philadelphia, and through a period of three or four years continued to study very diligently. Having completed the course of reading, he began to practice in Clairfield, Pa., and at a later date in Clarion, the same State. 
    
The Doctor was first united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hartley, and to them were born six children, viz: Sarah, Mary, Margaret, Catharine, Jane, and Scott. Catharine and Jane died in infancy. The second marriage of the Doctor was solemnized in Pennsylvania when Miss Susanna G. Lowery, daughter of Samuel and Susanna G. (DuMars) Lowery became his wife. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and had nine children, viz: Jane, John, Margaret, Alex, David, Sarah, Smith, Susanna G. and William. 
    
Our subject in the year 1866 moved to the State of Illinois, settling first at Smithfield, where he enjoyed a very extensive and lucrative practice. To illustrate his success it may be mentioned that out of one hundred and eighty-two cases of fever in one single year he never lost one. The Doctor removed to Middle Grove in September 1885, and immediately after his arrival built a little house. In a short time he gained great popularity which his faithfulness and success as a practitioner has increased. The children born of his last marriage are Susanna J., who is married and has five children and Hugh, who died when he was twenty-six months old. Dr. DeMorris is an uncompromising Democrat and takes an active interest in all political matters.