Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-05-06
j. s. MORTON rs DEAD.
FORMER SECRETARY OF AGRl.
CULTURE PASSES AWAY.
Death Occurs at Home of His Son at
Lake Forest, Ill.-Deceased Was an
Agricuiturist of National Repute
Originator of Arbor DSy.

1
]. Sterling Morton. Secretary of Agri-
culture under the last Cleveland admins
istration, died Sunday afternoon at the
residence of his son. Marx Morton. 1T
Lake Forest. ILL., His three sons, Mark.
Paul and JOY Morton. with their fami-
lies, were at the bedside OF their father
when the end came. His physicians We're
in almost constant attendance on their
patient during the last few days. at
though they and the family were fully
aware thai there was no hope of his
recovery.
Secresayy Morton's Illness dates from
last November. when he contracted a Sc
| we're cole while speaking at the stock
show in Chicago. The cold ran into an
attack of grip, and Mr.. Morton was i'll
a hospital for several weeks. When he
was able to travel he returned to his
home at Nebraska City, where he suf-
fered a relapse.
Takes Trip to Mexico.
After partial recovery lie went to the
City of Mexico. expecting that his health
would be restored. During his stay in
the South he was attacked with disease
of the bronchial arteries, and he return,
ed to his home at once. He suffered Sc
yerely on the return journey and reached
his home with his health very much i'm
paired. Three weeks ago Mr. Morton
went to Chicago for the purpose of con-
| sulting a specialist. A week ago. while
at the home of his son at Lake Forest,
he was stricken with apoplexy. He rail-
lied little after this attack, and gradu-
ally sank until the end.
Since the death of his youngest son.
Carl. year ago last January. Mr.. Nor
ton had been a changed man, and his in
innate friends say the grief he then ex-
perienced indirectly FASTENED his death.
His Political Career.
Julius Sterling Morton lad been one
of the foremost Democrats of the nation
for nearly half a century His first Off
cial position was given him by Presi-
dent Buchanan in 1857, that Of secretary
of the territory of Nebraska. His last
office was that of Secretary Of Agricul-
ture in the last administration Of Presi-
dent Cleveland, from 1898 10 1851. All
his life he had been a farmer and had
been leader in the upbuilding Of every
line of agriculture. 1t was he who orig
mated "Arbor day" which has become
an annual festival throughout the west
ern prairie States. If Mr.. Morton had
the choice he would rather be remem-
bered in connection with that anniversary
than for anything else he ever accom-
plished. Even on his book mark was the
motto plant trees
l. Mr.. Morton's public nfe practically
ended with his retirement from the cab
| In ba
Bryan campaign that immediately fol-
lowed that administration Mr.. Merton
forsook the Democrats and declared HIM
self for the gold standard, casting his
strength for the Republican candidate.
His Career Sketched.
Mr. Morton was born in Adams, Jeffer.
son County, n Y. April ~, 1882 When
he was but years of age his parents
removed to Michigan, where the boy at
tended the primary schools. AT the pro
per age he returned TO New York ard
attended Union College, where he grad
uated in 1854. The same year he was
married and emigrated to the then far
away territory of Nebraska He pre-
empted a half section Of government
land at Nebraska City, and for more
than forty years he had lived on the
same farm and had always been active
in its management.
1t was in 1858 that President Blu
chanan appointed Mr.. Morton secretary
of the territory. and, the Governor. dy-
ing during the term, he became acting
Governor.
Does Newspaper Work.
During his college days Mr.. Morton
| I,,i4, ~ Ma -
Press. and later he wrote for the Chi
cago Times in the days when that paper
occupied its most prominent position I'M
der Mr.. Story. The newspaper expert
ence he acquired at that time served him
well in after years, and he has been con-
nected with some publication nearly all
his life. Shortly after he went West he
started the Nebraska City News, and
was its first editor For many years he
had been proprietor and usually editor Of
the Conservative, weekly publication
in Nebraska City that has had large
following among the farmers
Although little known in the East. up
to the time that Cleveland appointed him
to the new Department of Agriculture,
he at once took front rank among the
| agriculturists of the country and be-
came the exponent of many reforms in
farming that have served to revolution
ize the industry.
Mr.. Morton was supposed to be IN
comfortable if not atfiaent circumstances.
His farm in Nebraska is enc Of the larg-
est and without doubt the most highly
cultivated in the State. indeed in the
whole West. He is also said 10 own
considerable property IN Washington
City and in Chicago.