Benjamin Franklin Morris II
Benjamin Franklin Morris II | |
|---|---|
Benjamin Franklin Morris c. 1899 | |
| Born | June 19, 1876 Marmet, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | 6 December 1947 (aged 71) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Union Executive, Inspector |
| Known for | Paint Creek–Cabin Creek strike of 1912 |
| Board member of | United Mine Workers of America |
| Spouses | Ella America Price (m. 1899)Anna Rippetoe (m. 1931) |
| Children | 11 |
| Mayor of Marmet | |
| In office 1920–1942 | |
| Delegate to West Virginia Democratic State Convention | |
| In office 1932–1933 | |
| Constituency | Charleston District |
| Delegate to American Mining Congress | |
| In office 1911–1912 | |
| Appointed by | William E. Glasscock |
| Constituency | Charleston, West Virginia |
| Secretary of United Mine Workers of America | |
| In office 1906–1913 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Socialist (1900–1923), Progressive (1924–1937), Democrat (1932-1947) |
| Signature | |
Benjamin Franklin Morris II (June 19, 1876 - December 6, 1947) was an American coal miner, labor leader, activist, and mayor. From 1906 until 1913, Morris represented coal miners across the United States, and was the principal representative for miners in Paint Creek during the West Virginia coal wars. Morris was secretary of the United Mine Workers of America and on the UMWA's International Executive Board. During his time at UMWA he worked alongside labor rights activists Mother Jones, John Phillip White, John Mitchell, and Thomas Lewis. Morris was appointed in 1911 by West Virginia Governor William E. Glasscock to be a delegate to the American Mining Congress; served as a delegate to the West Virginia Democratic State Convention in 1932–33; and served 22 years as mayor of the town of Marmet, West Virginia.