Source: Moccasin Tracks & Other Imprints by Dodrill, 1915
Edward MORTON was born in Pennsylvania in 1762. At the age of 14 he became a Revolutionary War soldier. he served until the close of the war & was with WASHINGTON when he captured Cornwallis at Yorkstown in 1781. After the war he settled on the Cowpasture river in VA, where he reared a large family of children. He & his son Thomas, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, moved to STROUD's creek in 1850. They purchased 5,000 acres of land & at once began to prepare it.
Thomas married an Irish girl by the name of Elander LEACH. He was the father of the following children: Edward, Robert, John, George, Thomas Jr., Margaret, Elizabeth & Sarah. Thomas was the founder of the MORTON family in Webster & Nicholas counties.
Edward married Mary Ann BODKINS & became the father of Porterfield, Felix, Catharine & Louisa. Both girls died in childhood.
Robert married Mary Jane CAMPBELL. His children were George, Francis, Charles, Margaret, Rebecca, Mary, Rachel & Hettie.
John married Mary Ann DEVEREUX & became the father of Garland, Clark, William, Jimison, Samuel, Elizabeth & Caroline.
George married Hannah C. KYER & reared the following children: Emerson, Eskridge H., Catharine, Drusilla, Annie & Sarah.
Thomas married Sarah RADER & his children were Floyd, Eliza & Elizabeth. These five brothers lived near neighbors on Stroud's creek. They were most excellent farmers & stock men. The were among the very best citizens of Webster county. Of the daughters, Margaret married John DODGE, Elizabeth married Adam RADER & Sarah married Charles KYER.
Felix, the second son of Edward MORTON, married Elizabeth COLLISON in 1867. One son, William E. & one daughter Annie R. was born unto this union. his wife dying in 1872, Mr. MORTON married Nannie BOBBITT, of Nicholas county in 1879. George R., the present (1915) superintendent of the free schools of Webster county, is the eldest of six children.
The MORTON family has always been prominent in the development of Webster county. Many have filled places of public trust & have rendered efficient services. Members of the family have been prominent in educational advancement & have been successful school teachers.
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