WILLIAM M. MORROW, who was left an orphan at the age of thirteen years, is one of the notable examples of a self-made man in Greene County. Through his force of character, his clear understanding of the value of labor and his excellent use of the opportunities which have been afforded him, he has steadily progressed in the business world and today ranks with the representative citizens of White Hall, connected with several leading enterprises and acting as superintendent of the White Hall Pottery & Sewer Pipe Factory.
Born near Athensville, Greene County, on the 1st of December, 1842, he is a son of Abner and Mary (Ward) Morrow. His early youth was spent upon his father's farm but at the age of thirteen years he was left an orphan and went to live with Peter Roodhouse, with whom he remained for four years. When seventeen years of age, he started out upon an independent career, working by the month as a farm hand until November, 1861, when he was married to Emeline Smith, a daughter of James Smith. He then began farming on his own account and in 1863 he purchased the old homestead which had belonged to his father. A year later, however, he sold this property at a profit of one thousand dollars. During the war he made other deals in land and thus gained a good start financially. He also engaged in shipping horses and other stock and his business proved profitable, enabling him to extend his efforts into other fields of activity, which have proved still more remunerative. For a number of years he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits and real estate speculation, but later was called to public office and gave undivided attention to the discharge of the duties that thus devolved upon him. For some time he has been a director in the Carrollton Bank and also of the Greene County Building & Loan Association, and he has been superintendent for the White Hall Pottery & Sewer Pipe Company, thus having charge of one of the leading productive industries of the city.
Mr. Morrow has always given unfaltering support to the Democracy, has labored earnestly to promote the growth and secure the success of his party and by his fellow townsmen has been elected to several important local offices. He was chosen county commissioner and served for three years; in 1882 was elected county sheriff, at which time he left his son James to manage his farm and removed to Carrollton; and popular suffrage also gave him the office of county treasurer.
In 1869 Mr. Morrow was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died leaving four children: Mary P., who was born March 18, 1863, is the wife of Z. D. Morrow, and they had a son who died at the age of two years. James A., born January 6, 1865, is married, resides in Seattle, Washington, and has five children, two daughters and three sons. Harry C., born January 13, 1867, is at home. Olive Anna, born November 10, 1869, is the wife of C. T. Bates, cashier of the Bank of Roodhouse, and they have three children. In August, 1872, Mr. Morrow was again married, his second union being with Miss Ellen Mayberry, a daughter of William Mayberry, and they have four children: Edith, who was born August 21, 1873, and is the wife of D. C. Akin, of Phoenix, Arizona; Winifred Blanche, who was born November 17, 1877, and is now in Seattle, Washington; Claude S., who was born June 15, 1879, and is also in Seattle; and William Ernest, born June 30, 1881, who is married and has one child, Charles E.
Mr. Morrow belongs to several fraternal organizations and enjoys the highest esteem of his brethren. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias and shapes his life in harmony with their beneficent spirit and tenets. Activity, honesty and liberality have been the crowning features in his career and have made him an honored citizen. His public service has been marked by the utmost fidelity to duty and in all life's relations, in business, in political circles and in social life, he has commanded uniform confidence and regard.