Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-01-01

tent as to prevent his continuing hi
studies cut off his prospects of going t.
college, and gave change to the cOurs
of his life.
In 1861 ne married Miss Lucelis C
Forbes of Paris, and they at first mad
their home at the Bates farm in Sunni Ter
the old homestead place of Mr.. Morton
mother. While there, Mr.. Morton, be
ing of mechanical and inventive turr
Of mind, began the manufacture Of hanC
rakes, using u basement for his work
shop. After a short time he moved Il
North Paris, where he began the man
facture OF children's sleds, here also u.s.
ing basement for the workshop.
After short residence at North Paris
he moved to West Sumner, where s
factory was built, and baby carriages
and children's carts were added to the
line Of goods manufactured. In fact, the
variety Of products has been steady in
creased from the foundation of the buH
ness to the present time. At West Sum
ner he was for time in company with
Thomas Z. Stearns, later with B. F
Bates. Later partnerships were Morton
Forbes & Crockett, and George b
Crockett Il Co., Mr.. Morton being all the
time manager.
In 1870 the business WAS moved to
Paris Hill, where factory had beer
built, and in 1873 the Paris Hill Man.
ufscturing Company was organized to
carry on the business. Ii remained
there, constantly expanding its plant and
business, until 1884, when it moved to
South Paris TO secure railroad facilities,
and reorganized under the name Of the
Paris Manufacturing Company. The
factory, which WAS on the present site
beside the railroad, was destroyed by
fire two years later, and in its place were
erected the principal buildings of the
present magnificent plant.
From 1889 TO 1892 Mr.. Morton was with
the Winton Manufacturing Company at
BinghamtOn, y. Y, and the p. K. Chase
Company at Rutland, VT, concerns en-
gagged in making the same lines of goods,
but in the latter year he returned to
South Paris and resumed his position
with the Paris Manufacturing Company.
The plant which has thus grown from
such humble beginnings, and with the
development of which MIR. Morton's life
has been identified, is now large
establishment. Four catalogues are is
sued by the company - sleds, wheel
goods, desks, and folding goods-and the
list of separate articles made runs into
the hundreds. The factory runs con-
stantly, with only an occasional days
holiday, and between two and three
hundred men are employed the year
round.
Mr.. Morton has always been very
popular with his workmen, and on
Thanksgiving Day in 1896 they testified
their goodwill and esteem by present.
ing him with handsome gold watch
and chain. All Joined in the presenta-
ton. and seemed to enjoy the occasion
as much as the recipient did.
Mr.. Morton has been for some years
deacon of the South Paris Baptist
church, and was always deeply interest
ed in all religious, moral and educational
work. He was for several years one OF
the trustees of Hebron Academy. He
found little time to devote to his own
amusement or other affairs outside OF
his own immediate business, and into
the care and development OF that he put
deal of earnest effort and tremendous
energy. His whole life and all his
powers were devoted to it to such an ex-
tent as is rarely the case with any man.
He is survived by his wife and five
children-Willism P. Morton Of the
Paris Advertising Co.; Miss Julia P.
Morton, now teaching in Abingdon,
Mass. George r. Morton, treasurer OF
the Paris Manufacturing Co.; Harry A.
Morton, who has position in the office
of the company; ana Clarence G. Nor
ton, now student in Colby College.
A brief private service will be held at
the house at an early hour Tuesday
afternoon, and public service at the
Baptist church at 2 O'Clock.