My Genealogy Hound

Dr. R. H. Morton, Franklin, Ark. Dr. Morton is one of the oldest practitioners of Franklin Township, and one of the oldest in the county. He owes his nativity to Bedford County, Tenn., and is the son of Jacob and Annie (Fisher) Morton, natives of North Carolina. Jacob Morton received an average education in his native State, and came to Tennessee at an early date. He purchased a farm in Bedford County, and was one of the first settlers of Shelbyville. In connection with farming he also carried on the blacksmith trade, but his principal occupation was tilling the soil, which he gave his attention until his death in 1857. He was married in Tennessee, and he and wife commenced housekeeping on Duck River, where they reared a large family of children, eight now living: Minerva, wife of B. F. Whitworth; Sophronia (deceased) was the wife of Michael Shofner; G. W. C. (deceased), whose family resides in Bedford County, Tenn.; Daniel C. resides in Coffee County, Tenn.; Nancy, wife of Edward Whitworth; Christina, wife of W. Tune; Emily, wife of Newton Neal; Ann, wife of B. F. Smawling, D. E. resides in Bedford County, Tenn.; Dr. R. H., Jessie E., wife of T. N. Smith; Elijah A. resides in Bedford County, Tenn., and Martha (deceased), wife of T. N. Smith. The father of these children served in the War of 1812, as a private, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. Mrs. Morton died about 1869. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Morton took an active interest in politics, and was a very strong supporter of Old Hickory. Dr. R. H. Morton divided his time in early youth between assisting on the farm and in attending the free and subscription schools of Tennessee, where he received a good English education. He attended medical lectures at Nashville, Tenn., in 1856 and 1857, and opened his first office at Poplin’s Cross Roads, where he practiced for two years previous to graduating. He was then located in Missouri, from 1858 to 1861 (Texas County). In the spring of the last mentioned year he served in the Confederate service as surgeon, and thus continued until 1863, when he resigned and located in Izard County, where he has since resided. He graduated at the American Medical College, at St. Louis, in 1878, and is the oldest practicing physician in the county. He has almost abandoned the practice of his profession in late years, and is now interested in agricultural pursuits. The Doctor was married in September, 1857, to Miss Emma A. Nichols, of Tenn., but they have never had any children. He is quite well fixed financially, and enjoys life to the fullest extent. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been Treasurer of the former lodge, holding the position of Vice Grand, Commander, and others in the latter lodge. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the Christian Church. The Doctor owns considerable land, and has on his home place about seventy-five acres under cultivation. He has good barns, outbuildings, etc. His residence is one of the finest in the county, and there he entertains his friends in the social pleasant manner peculiar to him, and the stranger also meets with a ready welcome from the Doctor and his agreeable wife. Although children were denied their union, the Doctor and wife have reared several who were left orphans.