A History of Kentucky Baptists From 1769 to 1885, Including More Than 
800 Biographical Sketches, J. H. Spencer, Manuscript Revised and 
Corrected by Mrs. Burilla B. Spencer, In Two Volumes.  Printed For the 
Author.  1886.  Republished By Church History Research & Archives 1976 
Lafayette, Tennessee. Vol. 2, pp 384-385.  [Logan County]

WILLIAM I. MORTON was born in Virginia, about the year 1792.  After 
obtained a fair English education, by his own exertions, he emigrated to 
Kentucky, and located in Russellville as a lawyer.  In 1818, he was 
elected to the Legislature, from Logan county, and was returned to an 
extra session of that body, in 1822.  Having been seriously impressed on 
the subject of religion for some time previous to his second election, 
he obtained hope in Christ while at the State Capital.  He hesitated for 
a time as to what denomination he would unite with.  But on his return 
from Frankfort, he found William Warder and Jeremiah Vardeman holding a 
meeting at Russellville, and, a few days afterward, united with the 
Baptist church.  From the time of his conversion he was impressed with a 
sense of duty to preach the gospel.  But having a growing family to 
support, he felt the need of continuing the practice of law.  He 
consented, however, to accept the deaconship, and was an active and 
liberal officer.  Having been raised under Pedobaptist influence, he 
was, for a time, in favor of open communion, and, at one period, gave 
his pastor considerable trouble by introducing the subject in the 
church, and engaging several members in advocating his views.  This error 
in faith, however, passed away with his youth, and he became a 
consistent Baptist.  After a long struggle with his conscience, he 
yielded to his convictions of duty, and submitted to ordination, in 
1848.  He was immediately called to the pastoral care of Friendship 
church, located some twelve miles east of Russellville, to which 
congregation he ministered with acceptance, several years.  He was also 
efficient as the missionary of Bethel Association, some years, and being 
man of great energy, he labored with so much zeal and activity that his 
health was impaired as to disqualify him for preaching.  He then 
accepted the judgeship of Logan county, as a means of supporting his 
family.  This position he filled to the time of his death, which 
occurred, from inflammation of stomach and bowels, March 16, 1860.

Morton Warder Vardeman
=
VA Frankfort-Lexington-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/logan/morton.wi.txt