My Genealogy Hound

Hon. W. L. Morrow, of Buffalo, Mo., is one of two surviving members of a family of six children, the other member being Lafayette J. Morrow, and was born September 24, 1817, in Warren County, Tenn., whither his parents, Robert and Julia (Simpson) Morrow, had emigrated from their respective States of North Carolina and Virginia about 1811. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a participant in the battle of New Orleans, and about 1827 immigrated with his family to Washington County, Ill., where they remained until 1860, locating then in Alabama. In 1843 they became residents of Greene County, Mo., the father’s death occurring in Ozark in 1849. The mother died in Illinois in 1830, and the father afterward married, and by his second wife became the father of five children: Thomas B., Robert A., Monroe L, Mary and Josephine. Hon. W. L. Morrow, whose name heads this sketch, remained with his father during his various changes of residence, and in 1844 came to Dallas County and embarked in the mercantile business, buying goods at St Louis and hauling them through in wagons until the railroad was built. His early days were attended by many hardships and privations but by his indomitable will and energy he surmounted these difficulties and became one of the prosperous business men of the county He conducted his mercantile establishment in Buffalo until January 1888 when he sold out to his son, William L., Jr., and has since been retired from the duties and cares of active business life. His real estate in the county amounts to about 1,500 acres, all of which is well improved and very valuable property, and on one of his farms, on Section 22, Township 37, Range 19, a valuable lead mine was discovered by a Mr. Hatfield, and was explored about 1883. A shaft was sunk to a depth of sixty feet, and mineral was found in abundance, about 80,000 pounds being removed from it. When properly developed it gives promise of becoming very valuable. In 1844 Mr. Morrow was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Brown, a native of Georgia, by whom he has six children: William L., Jr., Robert, George, Julia, Harriet and Tabitha. Mr. Morrow was postmaster for several years in Buffalo, and also filled the position of county treasurer for a number of years. He was a member of the convention called, by the Legislature to take steps in regard to the Rebellion, and in 1880 was elected to represent Dallas County in the State Legislature, serving one term. He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.