About Uncle Ike
Uncle Ike--Levi Morrill, also known as Uncle Ike, was the only real-life
character portrayed in Wright's novel
- Born in Portland ME in 1837 Morrill graduated from Bowdoin college at
the age of 15
- He began a career in journalism working for Horace Greeley at the New
York Tribune for several years
- After the Civil War, Morrill wandered about the country until he finally
settled at what is now Notch MO in 1893
- Here he persuaded the U.S. government to establish a post office which
he ran until his death at the age of 89 in 1926
- His colorful character was translated almost without change into
Wright's book and made Uncle Ike a national treasure for many years
- His daughter, Susie, probably contributed to the characterization of
Sammy Lane
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Harold Bell Wright used little
imagination to create his fictional character, "Uncle Ike"
in his novel, The Shepherd of the Hills. He simply
described Levi Morrill (1837-1926), a real postmaster in one
of America's smallest post offices at the crossroads at
Notch, Missouri, near Branson and Old Matt's Cabin. After
the publication of Wright's book, Levi Morrill was known as
"Uncle Ike" for the remainder of his life. "Uncle Ike" (nee
Lee Morrill) died August 22, 1926.
Click on Pictures
to Enlarge
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Uncle Ike the Postmaster at
the Forks. 339 Hall Photo Co. AZO stamp
box with four triangles point up (1904-1918).
(This photo was probably taken within minutes of
the next postcard, just below, where the
mailbags are on the lap of the mail carrier on
the horse.)
Courtesy Larry Allen |
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The
Mail-Carrier At The Forks, 340 Hall Photo
Co. Very early photo. Tree still alive, no
sign over door, short beard.
Courtesy Larry Allen |
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Uncle Ike, Nee Levi
Morrill. (C) E. R. Morrill 1940 C-459. gc |
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Uncle Ike at work in the
Post Office at "The Forks," "The Shepherd of
the Hills" story. E-71 gc |
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Post Office at Cross Roads. Blake Photo gc |
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Uncle Ike and Son. First
mail carrier at Forks. Watching for the mail at
Notch, Mo. Made famous by Harold Bell Wright's
novel, The Shepherd of the Hills, (C) 1926 by R.
E. Hinchey, Aurora, Mo. gc |
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Uncle Ike's Post Office
Notch Missouri in the Ozarks. Blake Photo gc |
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Uncle Ike's Son in the Old
Rocker with Cane and Hat at Notch, PO. Shepherd
of the Hills Country, Missouri. C-390 gc |
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C-448. Uncle Ike's Son
with Old Chair, Hat, and Cane Showing a Portion
of Old Barn Were Sammy's Pony Brownie was Kept. Shepherd of the Hills Country, Mo. gc |
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Here Uncle Ike "Reigned
Supreme." Shepherd of the Hills. Payne,
Branson, Mo. gc |
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Uncle Ike's Post Office
Notch Missouri. A-25 gc |
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"Uncle Ike--his son--his
grandson and great-grandson--Taken at the Notch
Post Office Shepherd of the Hills Country--Mo." T75 gc |
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Uncle Ike's Grandson and
the Old Notch Post Office at the Fork. Shepherd
of the Hills Country, Mo. C-73 gc |
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"Home of Uncle Ike,
Homesteaded in 1893, Shepherd Of The Hills,
Notch, Missouri." 69-A |
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"Uncle Ike's son, grandson
and great-grandson in front of the Famous Post
Office. Shepherd of the Hills Country, Notch,
Mo." 41-C gc |
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28 "Uncle Ike."
Copyrighted 1927 A. B. Payne gc |
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