My Genealogy Hound

MORTON, ALEX. H., Jr., farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Fort Madison; son of Alex H. Morton, Sr., who was born in Newcastle Co., Delaware, in 1782, and married Rebecca Harris, a native of the same county, born in 1785; had three sons and three daughters; the youngest son, Alex H., Jr., was born in Newcastle Co., Del., July 2, 1819; had but limited advantages of education, and that before 13 years of age; lost his father at 2 years of age; at the age of 11, with his mother and family, removed to Butler Co., Ohio, where he commenced learning the tailor’s trade when 13 years of age, and served four years as apprentice, at Oxford, in that county; he followed his trade without intermission until 21, having traveled like most journeyman tailors; he visited Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Iowa, working in the principal cities in those States, visiting Iowa in 1838; he then farmed, by renting, for two years, and when in his 23d year, married Miss Rebecca Hawley, who was born in Ohio, near the Little Miami River, in 1825; they remained in Ohio until 1850, moved thence to St. Joseph Co., Ind., and in 1853, came to Lee Co.; passed the first winter with J. O. Smith; in the spring of 1854, they came to their present residence, where he owns 167 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. In January, 1854, his wife died, leaving five children — Zalmon H., born in Indiana, Jan. 13, 1843; J. P., born in Ohio, Dec. 1, 1844; Vercelious, born in Ohio. July 25, 1846; William, born in Union Co., Ind., in 1848; Martha J., born in Indiana, April 2, 1853. He married Mary A., daughter of James Marsh, a pioneer of Lee Co., from Preble Co., Ohio; she was born in Preble Co., Ohio, July 31, 1824, died May 15, 1871, leaving five children — Ella, born March 14, 1855; Kate, born May 20, 1857; Rebecca, born Nov. 1, 1858; Charles, born Sept. 28, 1860; Viola, born June 2, 1862. April 24, 1872, married Martha Marsh, sister of his second wife, who was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1829; she died Jan. 31, 1873. Democrat. His first wife was a member of the M. E. church, the second and last of the Baptist.