[2] José María Morales was born in Buenos Aires, United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, the son of a military patriot who fought in the British invasions.

Back in his home city, he participated in the revolution of September 11, 1852, fighting against the national authorities in the battalion commanded by Colonel Domingo Sosa.

Upon resumption of the war between the Confederation and the State of Argentina, Buenos Aires, he fought bravely in the Battle of Cepeda (1859) leading a bayonet charge.

Upon returning to Buenos Aires with the squad under the command of Antonio Susini he was at the naval action of San Nicolas de los Arroyos (1859).

3, Morales fought in the battles of Yatay, Uruguaiana, Paso de la Patria, Itapiru and Bellaco Estero.

After the war, in 1870, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Militia of the Southern Border of the Province of Buenos Aires and as such helped to quell the Indian uprising in Sierra Chica and Tapalqué.

In the uprising of 1880 he again joined the revolutionary ranks in front of the battalions of volunteers Mitre Sosa and acting as commander of the South District in the defence of the city.

His remains were buried in La Recoleta Cemetery in an impressive ceremony escorted in formation by Battalion No.10 in line under Lieutenant Colonel Toscano.