WILLIAM M. MORROW, the present sheriff of Greene county, is a son of Abner and Mary (Ward) Morrow, and was born near Athensville, Greene County, Ill., on the 1st of Dec., 1842. His early life was spent on the farm, and as he was left an orphan, at the age of 13 years, he went to make his home with Peter Roodhouse, with whom he remained for four years. He then started out to "paddle his own canoe," engaging by the month, at farm work, until Nov., 1861, when he was untied in marriage with Emeline Smith, daughter of James Smith. When he was married he had hardly a dollar, but two years later he received $600 from the estate of his father. He then purchased his father's old homestead, and a year later sold the same at a gain of $1,000. During the war he made some other deals in land and thus got a start in life, still engaging in tilling the soil. His farm now contains 460 acres of land, on which he raises a great deal of stock. He also engages in shipping stock and horses. Besides the farm, he also owns property in Roodhouse. In 1869 his wife died, leaving four children - Mary P., James A., Harry C. and Anna. In Sept. 1871, he was again united in marriage with Ellen Maberry, daughter of William M. Maberry, and this union has been blessed with a family of four children - Edith, Blanche, Claude and Ernest. In politics Mr. Morrow is a staunch democrat. He served three years as county commissioner, and in the fall of 1882 was elected sheriff of the county. He then left his eldest son to manage the farm and moved to town to enter upon the duties of his office, which he manages with the utmost satisfaction to all. He is a member of the A.F. and A.M., the I.O.O.F. and K. of H. lodges. He is one of the directors of the Carrollton bank, and also of the Greene County Loan Association. Activity, honesty and liberality have won for him the position he now occupies in business and social circles.