Wadin's father was Jean-Étienne Waddens, a fur trader who was killed by Peter Pond in 1782.

[4] Morrison was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives in 1849, following the resignation of William Sturgis.

This was in large part due to the fact that Allan forwarded a letter to Alexander Ramsey detailing William's exploration of Lake Itasca.

Ramsey circulated the letter and gave it large publicity, perhaps influencing the legislature to name the county after the brothers.

[1][2] In 1874, Morrison accompanied Chippewas as they were relocated to the White Earth Indian Reservation.