Morris Binnard, 1879-1943
Morris5 Binnard (Izrael4, Mosiek3, Jacob2, Lewin1), the youngest child of James and Anna Binnard, was born in Rochester, New York on 9 February 1879.[1] When he was just a few months old his family moved to Turner, Oregon,[2] and then to Palouse, Washington,[3] where he grew up. When he registered for the draft in World War I, at the age of 37, he was described as having a medium build, medium height, grey hair, and grey eyes.[4]
Morris was nine years old when his father died at Palouse in 1888.[5] A few years later, some of the Binnard family had moved to Spokane, Washington. In the 1893 city directory Morris is listed as a student at the Spokane Business College, boarding with his oldest brother, Aaron.[6] By 1899 he was living in Butte, Montana and working as a stenographer.[7] On 17 July 1898, Morris married Winnifred Agnes Matthews at Butte, with Father DeSiere of the local Catholic church officiating. On the marriage license Morris gave his age as 21, but he was actually only 19. Winnifred, whose age was also given as 19, was born in Michigan and was the daughter of John M. and Winnifred (English) Matthews.[8] The newspaper reported, "Mr. Binnard is a popular young stenographer of the city, while Miss Mathews was a member of the class of '99 in the High school. She is a sister of County Commissioner Mathews."[9] A year later, Morris filed for divorce. Since he was not yet 21, the suit was brought by his older brother, Aaron, his guardian ad litem. Morris claimed that "since marriage the defendant has treated him in a cruel and inhuman manner; that in October of last year she struck him in the face with her fists in a violent manner and in February let a stick fall on his head, breaking the stick." He went on to claim that Winnifred left him in August 1899, went to Salt Lake City, and "has refused to live with him or have anything to do with him."[10] Winnifred was served with the divorce papers after she was found living at the Miller hotel in Salt Lake City.[11] Morris married Minnie Brodeck at Butte on 12 February 1902 at Butte, with Judge McClernan officiating. "The wedding took place at No. 36 East Platinum street and was a pretty home wedding, only relatives and intimate friends being present."[12] Minnie was born in Oregon on 21 August 1877 and was the sister of Hilda Brodeck who married Morris's brother Joseph.[13] Relatives remembered that Minnie had the unusual talent of being able to put herself into a trance. She would write while in the trance, but when she woke up, no one could read what she had written. Morris studied law for almost six years under Judge John N. Kirk of Butte. He was admitted to the bar in Helena in 1901 and practiced law at Butte from 1905 to 1911, when he and Minnie moved to San Diego, where he opened a law office.[14] He was briefly in partnership with J.E. Keating, another lawyer from Butte.[15] In 1913, after Keating left, his partner was J. Weinberger.[16] It was said of Morris that he "possesses marked individuality and originality. His opinions are neither inherited nor acquired from others, but are the result of his own careful and conscientious investigation and deliberation. As a lawyer he is distinguished for clearness of perception, tireless industry and keen discrimination. His high standing at the San Diego bar is firmly established."[17] Active in politics, Morris was elected chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee. The newspaper stated, "Binnard was new to the game of politics, but took hold like an old hand and soon was going out after votes like a veteran ... he always had good crowds out to hear his galaxy of spellbinders." He was credited with helping Woodrow Wilson carry San Diego County in the 1916 presidential election.[18] Morris was elected chairman of the committee again in 1934.[19] In 1918 he ran for district attorney, but was defeated in the primary.[20] Morris was affiliated with many organizations. In 1934 he gave the principal address when the officers were installed at Congregation Tifereth Israel in San Diego.[21] He was president of B'nai B'rith,[22] and Minnie was a member of the fourth district advisory board.[23] Morris belonged to the San Diego Bar Association, Elks Lodge No. 168, and was a consul of Modern Woodmen of America. He was also president of the Montana State Society and the Cabrillo Commerical Club.[24] In 1931 he became a member of the board of the Border Bank at San Ysidro.[25] Morris was an animal lover. In 1921, as vice-president of the San Diego County Humane Society, he negotiated the early release of Bruno, a friendly dog who had been sentenced to 30 days in the pound for biting a child.[26] Two years later, in 1923, he was elected president of the society.[27] He once owned a deaf fox terrier, Peggy, who could understand commands from gestures or facial expression. "If I'm going out in the car, all I have to do is look at her and she knows whether she's to go along or not," he said. "Her deafness has sharpened her intuition until she seems to anticipate orders, and she obeys instantly."[28] He was honored for his service to the organization in 1938.[29] Morris died unexpectedly on 5 January 1943 at his home at 3979 Ninth Avenue in San Diego.[30] He was buried in the Home of Peace Cemetery.[31] Minnie was a resident of Alpine, California when she died on 14 August 1962. She was also buried in Home of Peace.[32] They had no children. _________________________ [1] Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County, the Birthplace of California (Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, 1922), 2:272. [2] 1880 U.S. census, Turner, Marion County, Oregon, p. 3, dwelling house 19, family 19, entry for Morris, son, in household of Anna Binnard; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 April 2012); Family History Film 1255082. [3] Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County, 2:272. [4] "U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 October 2012), card for Morris Binnard, Draft Board 1, serial no. 2773, San Diego, San Diego County, California; citing Family History Library film 1543648. [5] Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County, 2:272. [6] Spokane City Directory, 1893 (Spokane, Washington, R.L. Polk & Co., 1893), 201. [7] R.L. Polk & Co.'s Butte City Directory, 1899 (Butte, Montana: R.L. Polk & Co., 1899), 103. [8] "Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F37Q-DRJ : accessed 05 Oct 2012), Morris Binnard and Winnifred Agnes Mathews, 1898. [9] "Binnard-Mathews," Anaconda Standard (Anaconda, Montana), 3 August 1898, p. 7. [10] "Left Boy Husband; Salt Lake Woman Defendant in Divorce Case," Salt Lake Tribune, 23 October 1899, p. 8. [11] "Mrs. Binnard Located," Salt Lake Tribune, 24 October 1899, p. 8. [12] "Personal Mention," Anaconda Standard, 16 February 1902, part 2, p. 24. [13] "Montana, Marriages, 1889-1947," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FZSY-968 : accessed 05 Oct 2012), Morris Buinart [sic] and Minnie Brodeck, 12 Feb 1902. [14] Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County, 2:272. [15] "New Lawyer Firm," San Diego Union, 28 May 1911, p. 6. [16] “Form Partnership,” Evening Tribune (San Diego), 5 June 1913, p. 5. [17] Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County, 2:272. [18] "Democratic Leader Makes Good Record," San Diego Union, 9 November 1916, p. 5. [19] "Morris Binnard," San Diego Union, 9 June 1934, p. 2. [20] "End Count of Vote at Primary," San Diego Evening Tribune, 11 September 1918, p. 5. [21] "Officers Installed By Tifereth Israel," San Diego Union, 7 November 1934, p. 11. [22] Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County, 2:273. [23] "B'nai B'rith Ends Yearly Conference," Salt Lake Tribune, 6 July 1932, p. 18. [24] Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County, 2:273. [25] "Made Director of Border Bank," San Diego Union, 15 January 1931, p. 13. [26] “Bruno, Sentenced for 30 Days for Biting Little Playmate, Paroled; Wags His Gratitude,” San Diego Union, 8 June 1921, p. [1]. [27] "Binnard Is Chosen Humane President," Evening Tribune, 9 January 1923, p. 15. [28] "Deaf Dog But Not Dumb," San Diego Union, 27 March 1934, section 2, p. 1. [29] "Mayor Issues Animal Week Proclamation," San Diego Union, 24 April 1938, p. 3 [30] "Morris Binnard, Pioneer Lawyer, Dies Unexpectedly," San Diego Union, 6 January 1943, p. 7. [31] "Morris Binnard," San Diego Union, 7 January 1943, p. 8. [32] "Mrs. Minnie Binnard," San Diego Union, 18 August 1962, p. B16. |