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It has been said that one
who enters the newspaper field is never content to leave it, for there
is a fascination in thus keeping in touch with the thought and activity
of the world from which one cannot escape, and this statement finds
exemplification in the career of Charles R. Morrison, managing editor of
the Edmonton Journal, who has devoted his life to work of this
character. He was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1872, a
son of Charles and Effie (Sterling) Morrison, also natives of that
country. In 1873 they went to New Zealand, where they resided for a
number of years, and then came to Canada, establishing their home in
Toronto, Ontario. The father was educated for the law but journalism
made a greater appeal to him and for a considerable period he was
connected with the Globe and Mail of Toronto He was an earnest and
helpful member of the Presbyterian church, as was also his wife, and in
Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree, while he was also an
honorary member of the Caledonian Society. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morrison
passed away in San Francisco, California, in 1922. They had a family of
three children, two of whom survive: Charles R. and Albert J., the
latter being a member of the theatrical profession and a resident of New
York city.
In the acquirement of an
education Charles R. Morrison attended the grammar and high schools of
New Zealand and Otago University, after which he came to Canada and took
up the study of pharmacy. His initial newspaper experience was obtained
in the office of the Toronto Mail, later the Mail and Empire, in which
he worked for nine years, rising to the position of city editor. On
severing his connection with that paper he went to New York city and for
a time was employed by the publishers of McClure's Magazine. He then
went to the Pacific coast, becoming identified with the San Francisco
Chronicle and Examiner, and he was also one of the staff of the Oakland
Tribune. Leaving California, he made his way to Spokane, Washington,
where he assumed the duties of managing editor of the Inland Herald, The
year 1911 witnessed his arrival in Edmonton and he assisted in the
reorganization of the Evening and Morning Journal, which was converted
into an evening paper. He is now the assistant general manager and
managing editor of the Edmonton Journal, being also a member of the
board of directors. The Journal is conducted along the lines of modern
newspaper education, being well organized not only in the department of
its management, but also in the corps of its writers and in its
mechanical department. It is a daily of high standing, with a large
circulation, and in his editorial and managerial capacities Mr. Morrison
has been instrumental in producing a paper of much interest and value to
the city and district.
In 1901 Mr. Morrison
married Miss Lorena M. Smith, who was born at Auburn, California, and
there obtained her education. They have become the parents of three
daughters: Gwendolyn, Lorena and Muriel. The first named has followed
her father in the profession of journalism, while the other two children
are still in school. Mr. and 1\irs. Morrison are members of the Knox
Presbyterian church of Edmonton. He has been a director of the Edmonton
Exhibition, is connected with the Edmonton Board of Trade, is a member
of the Mayfair Golf & Country Club and of the Rotary Club, being a
former director of the last named organization. He is an able exponent
of journalism and a man of broad views and modern standards, whose
interests have ever been of that uplifting character which develops the
citizenship and promotes the civilization of a community. |
