This Saturday May 11,2013
OPEN 10AM-2PM
FREE to public
Friday, May 10, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
E.H. Mote a owner of The Mote-Morris house long ago...
E. H. Mote, one of the outstanding citizens of Leesburg,was born at Newark, Delaware, on the 24th day of January,1860, son of Jacob H. and Mary Mote. His parents were both natives of Delaware and were of Scotch descent. Mr.Mote received a limited education in the schools of Delaware and on account of his mother's death and father's re-marriage, he went alone to Philadelphia at the early age of eleven where he obtained a job at $3.00 per week,shoveling snow off roofs of houses. Ever since this time, Mr.Mote has been entirely on his own resources.After working at various jobs in Philadelphia he went to Washington, D.C.,in 1876, where he worked in a paper store.
On account of lung trouble, which was probably brought about by his early struggles when a boy,he came to Florida in 1881, settling at Leesburg.He only stayed a year but returned almost immediately and has resided in Leesburg ever since 1882.In January, 1883 Mr. Mote entered the livery business at Leesburg,which he followed with success for a number of years. Leesburg town hall was located over his stable in the ealry days. In connection with his livery business,he operated a stage line from Leesburg to Wildwood.
In 1885 he sold his livery business and purchased the predecessor of the present Lakeview Hotel,which he greatly enlarged and operated for number of years. At the same time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Leesburg,which he continued until freeze of 1895. Mr. Mote has been one of the real builders of Leesburg , at the time when it took courage to build,having erected among other buildings, the Mote Block,which when it was built,was the largest business building in town.For many years Mr,Mote has dealt extensively in the citrus business and has shipped as many as three hundred and fifty carloads in one season.
Commencing about 1900,he devoted much of his time and energy to developing grove properties east of Leesburg.He was the owner and develpoer of "Treasure Island," near Leesburg. Mr.Mote has given much attention to civic affairs.He establish the first waterworks in Leesburg,and in the early days he served as fire chief.He was also mayor for seven or eight terms,holding this office longer than it has ever been held by one person. He also served in the Lower House of the State Legislature for one term. His fraternal affilations are with the Masons and Knights of Pythias.He was married to Lucretia Hansbrough on October 5,1885.
On account of lung trouble, which was probably brought about by his early struggles when a boy,he came to Florida in 1881, settling at Leesburg.He only stayed a year but returned almost immediately and has resided in Leesburg ever since 1882.In January, 1883 Mr. Mote entered the livery business at Leesburg,which he followed with success for a number of years. Leesburg town hall was located over his stable in the ealry days. In connection with his livery business,he operated a stage line from Leesburg to Wildwood.
In 1885 he sold his livery business and purchased the predecessor of the present Lakeview Hotel,which he greatly enlarged and operated for number of years. At the same time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Leesburg,which he continued until freeze of 1895. Mr. Mote has been one of the real builders of Leesburg , at the time when it took courage to build,having erected among other buildings, the Mote Block,which when it was built,was the largest business building in town.For many years Mr,Mote has dealt extensively in the citrus business and has shipped as many as three hundred and fifty carloads in one season.
Commencing about 1900,he devoted much of his time and energy to developing grove properties east of Leesburg.He was the owner and develpoer of "Treasure Island," near Leesburg. Mr.Mote has given much attention to civic affairs.He establish the first waterworks in Leesburg,and in the early days he served as fire chief.He was also mayor for seven or eight terms,holding this office longer than it has ever been held by one person. He also served in the Lower House of the State Legislature for one term. His fraternal affilations are with the Masons and Knights of Pythias.He was married to Lucretia Hansbrough on October 5,1885.
Some owners of the Mote-Morris house long ago...
Bishop Henry Clay Morrison and his wife Elizabeth Stoner Morrison
While the Morrison family isn't immortalized in the name of the Mote-Morris House,Bishop Henry Clay Morrison is forever linked with the Methodist church. Morrison United Methodist Church is named for him. Morrison moved to Leesburg with the idea of buying a retirement home in 1908. He purchased the Mote's home,which was just rebounding after a period of declining attendance. After struggling and seeing attendance drop from 200 in1896, to around 100 by the turn of the century,and 87 in 1905, the Methodist church began to grow again with 88 members in 1906. The 1910 census lists the Morrison family and those living in the house.It included Morrison and his wife,two grown sons, one daughter-in-law and five grandchildren.After Morrison died the house was sold to John S. Morris in 1918
While the Morrison family isn't immortalized in the name of the Mote-Morris House,Bishop Henry Clay Morrison is forever linked with the Methodist church. Morrison United Methodist Church is named for him. Morrison moved to Leesburg with the idea of buying a retirement home in 1908. He purchased the Mote's home,which was just rebounding after a period of declining attendance. After struggling and seeing attendance drop from 200 in1896, to around 100 by the turn of the century,and 87 in 1905, the Methodist church began to grow again with 88 members in 1906. The 1910 census lists the Morrison family and those living in the house.It included Morrison and his wife,two grown sons, one daughter-in-law and five grandchildren.After Morrison died the house was sold to John S. Morris in 1918
Mote-Morris House Journeys long ago...
Edward H. Mote and his wife Lucretia bought the property at 1021 W. Main Street from John Love in February 1889. The Victorian-style house was completed in 1892 for about $9,000. The house had a nursery, but the Motes remained childless and sold the home to Bishop Henry Clay Morrison in 1908, who bought it as a retirement residence.
Morrison made many improvements to the house, including the addition of electricity by his son, Dr. H.K. Morrison, who birthed about 3,000 Leesburg babies.
The Morris house holds the distinction of being the only house in Leesburg to be placed on the National Register of Historic Homes. It was given this award in 1974, and has housed three generations of the Morris family since it was purchased by John S. Morris in 1920.The present owners are Robert and Georgiana Morris,owners of Yalaha Nurseries.
The house was sold to John S. and May James Morris in 1918. A member of the Morris family lived in the house for the next 70 years. They added indoor plumbing in phases.
Son Robert moved his family into the house to care for his aging mother May in the mid-1950s. His father, John S. Morris, died several years earlier. When May J. Morris died in 1973 the house was willed to Robert and Georgianna. The Mote-Morris House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places the following year.
The Mote-Morris House was purchased by Morrison United Methodist Church in 1988 and the church offered the house to whomever would move it. The house was relocated from 1021 West Main Street to 1195 West Magnolia Street in 1990. The community raised $95,000 so the house could be moved.
Research Info:
Daily Commercial Newspaper articles(July1988),
http://www.leesburgflorida.gov/history/student_leesburg.aspx
Leesburg Hertiage Society Museum
Morrison made many improvements to the house, including the addition of electricity by his son, Dr. H.K. Morrison, who birthed about 3,000 Leesburg babies.
The Morris house holds the distinction of being the only house in Leesburg to be placed on the National Register of Historic Homes. It was given this award in 1974, and has housed three generations of the Morris family since it was purchased by John S. Morris in 1920.The present owners are Robert and Georgiana Morris,owners of Yalaha Nurseries.
The house was sold to John S. and May James Morris in 1918. A member of the Morris family lived in the house for the next 70 years. They added indoor plumbing in phases.
Son Robert moved his family into the house to care for his aging mother May in the mid-1950s. His father, John S. Morris, died several years earlier. When May J. Morris died in 1973 the house was willed to Robert and Georgianna. The Mote-Morris House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places the following year.
The Mote-Morris House was purchased by Morrison United Methodist Church in 1988 and the church offered the house to whomever would move it. The house was relocated from 1021 West Main Street to 1195 West Magnolia Street in 1990. The community raised $95,000 so the house could be moved.
Research Info:
Daily Commercial Newspaper articles(July1988),
http://www.leesburgflorida.gov/history/student_leesburg.aspx
Leesburg Hertiage Society Museum
Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Leesburg,Florida
Leesburg Hertiage Society,Inc. presents a walk through our downtown area. Leesburg is named after Evander Lee, who operated a store on the corner of Third and Main Streets. Evander bought his property in 1857 and the town was incorporated in 1875.The downtown is still the thriving heart of the city.His first store was built in the late 1850's.Other followed, and after over 150 years of uniterupted and subtantial development,Leesburg's real growth is just beginning. A short visit to the downtown Museum at 111 Sixth Street will bring you the most accurate information obtainable on points not covered in the blog. As a part of your downtown experience you might also wish to visit the historic Mote-Morris House on the corner of Magnolia and 12th street.Free Guided Tours are offered on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am-2pm.Also open during city events in the park.(Next Scheduled Tour is next Saturday May 11,2013 at 10am-2pm
Leesburg Hertiage Society Museum
111 Sixth Street
Leesburg, Fla 34748
Business Days/Hours:Mon.-Fri.10am-4pm
Saturdays 8am-2pm
Leesburg Hertiage Society Museum
111 Sixth Street
Leesburg, Fla 34748
Business Days/Hours:Mon.-Fri.10am-4pm
Saturdays 8am-2pm
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