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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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F. H. MORLEY, a prosperous miller of New Troy and a life-long resident of Berrien County, Mich., was born in Weesaw Township, Berrien County, June 28, 1853. His parents, Ambrose A. and Cordelia (Carroll) Morley, were among the early settlers of this part of Berrien County and were intimately associated with the progressive interests of the township from its earliest infancy. The father, yet surviving and residing with our subject, was throughout his long years of active usefulness an energetic and enterprising man of superior business ability and excellent judgment. He was a native of the Empire State and, there reared, educated and married, became ambitious to try his fortune in the West, toward which the tide of emigration was steadily tending. In 1852, with his wife and family, he journeyed to Michigan, and, a miller by occupation, erected at various times three sawmills, two of which were propelled by steam, and one by water power. His presence was a welcome one in the new country, where mills were at first scarce, and aside from his business he participated with interest in all the progressive movements of the township and was ever a ready aid in all matters of mutual welfare.

The mother of our subject, who passed away, deeply mourned, March 6, 1875, was a woman of sterling character and, devoting herself to the interests of her family, reared with tender care four sons and one daughter, all surviving. She was a devout Christian woman and a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal grandfather, William Morley, a direct descendant of English ancestry, was, as was also his good wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Morleys, father and grandfather, being liberal and active in the extension of religious work and influence. The five children who gathered about the fireside of their parents’ home are: Albert, a skilled machinist, employed in Chicago; F. H., our subject; Thomas, a resident of St. Joseph, Mo., a cutter by trade and engaged in a tailor’s shop; Alliston, associated with his brother in operating a gristmill; and Frank, the wife of Frank D. Noggle. Mr. Morley, reared in Weesaw Township, attended the district school of his birthplace and early in life assisted his father, learning from him the trade of a miller. When twenty-two years of age he began life for himself, engaging in the lumber business and running a gristmill in New Troy, and since, continuing in this line of work, has industriously accumulated a handsome property.

The gristmill operated by our subject was erected by his father in 1868 and was then a burr-mill, but, remodeled in 1891, became a roller-mill, having a capacity of forty barrels per day. Beside its regular custom work the mill furnishes a large product of a superior grade, and has acquired an enviable reputation for the quality of its goods. Seventy acres of valuable land surrounding the mill are owned by Mr. Morley, who has brought this farm up to a high state of cultivation and improved the homestead with excellent and substantial buildings. In 1876 F. H. Morley and Miss Emily S. Smith were united in marriage. Mrs. Morley, a daughter of Peter Smith, is a native of Indiana. Our subject and his estimable wife have been blessed by the birth of two sons, Linwood C. and Floyd H., bright and intelligent lads. Mr. Morley cast his first Presidential vote for S. J. Tilden and remains a strong Democrat. He has with able fidelity discharged the duties of Township Clerk for many years and, widely known and universally esteemed, is an important factor in the social, business and public life of his home locality.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Berrien County, Michigan family biographies here: Berrien County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Berrien County, Michigan here: Berrien County Michigan Map

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