Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Morris received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Harvard University in 1856 before reading law to enter the bar in 1861.

[1] On July 1, 1879, Morris was nominated by President Rutherford B. Hayes to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland vacated by Judge William Fell Giles.

Morris was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 1, 1879, and received his commission the same day.

Morris served in that capacity until his death on June 6, 1912, in Baltimore.

[1] He was the last federal judge in active service to have been appointed by President Hayes.