Born on June 30, 1853, in Lynchburg, Campbell County, Virginia,[1] As a child Morris attended a private school.

[2] Morris initially attended the College of William & Mary but finished his studies at Virginia Military Institute.

[3] Additionally, in 1969, he was initiated into Alpha Tau Omega (ATO), becoming one of the fraternity's earliest members at VMI.

He believed in putting the boys on their honor and trusting them implicitly, and yet Major Morris, as Commandant, insisted upon carrying out the governmental requirements as to military training and that did not altogether suit the president.

This led to a scathing letter writing campaign on the part of Cadet Crisp calling into question Hogg's character and abilities as a professor.

At one point during his testimony, Morris states directly to the members of the board, 'When a man accepts public office, he should attend to his duties firmly and at all hazards.'

'[7] Morris began reading law in 1880 and was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Lynchburg from 1880 to 1886.

[1] He assumed inactive senior status on June 30, 1923, meaning that while he remained a federal judge, he did not hear any cases or conduct any business for the court.