My Genealogy Hound

MORLEDGE, J. R., attorney at law, real estate and insurance, Clarinda; born February 4, 1812, in England, coming, at the age of nine years, with his parents to America. They located in Columbiana county, Ohio, in the common schools of which county he received his education. When twenty-one years of age he began the study of civil engineering, and going to Indiana in 1837, he was employed on the public works of that state, remaining in its employ for a period of two years; he then engaged in the mercantile business at Hartsville, Indiana, continuing in the same until 1857. Previous to this, in 1840, he read law with William Hendricks, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. Was appointed postmaster in 1853. On closing out his business in 1857, he came to Clarinda, opening a law office in connection with J. T. Chittenden. In the fall of 1863, he was appointed commissary of subsistence of volunteers, with the rank of captain, and was stationed at Marietta, Ohio. After a service of about one year he resigned his commission and returned home, resuming the practice of law. He was colonel of the First regiment of volunteer militia, western division of Iowa. In 1867 he was elected county judge of Page county, retaining the office for a term of three years. Mr. M. is now a justice of the peace. He was married May 10, 1838, to Miss Maria L. Branham, of Kentucky. By this union they are the parents of twelve children: Robert R., Margaret, (wife of L. F. Abbot), Nancy M., (wife of John Burrows), Emma, (wife of James H. Hill), Catharine, (wife of Edward Shown), William E., Alice, (wife of W. W. Ruble), and Fred M., living, and four deceased.