The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1902-05-02
j. Sterling Morton.

j. Sterling Morton.
In the death of j. Sterling Morton of
Nebraska City, this state has suffered
an irrepairable loss. No public man the
state has ever produced has accomplished
more for Nebraska or left more behind
him to tell coming generations of his
worth than has Mr.. Morton. Some
may be inclined to criticize this state
ment, but THE News believes the facts
are on record to prove it. Coming to
Nebraska in an early day when the
state was little known and was low in
the regard Of those who knew it, Mr..
Morton has been q potential factor in
it's development and upbuilding. In
every step of progress made by the in
FAINT commonwealth and especially that
portion of it lying tributary to his home
town, Mr.. Morton's fine discernment is
manifest. He had way of suggesting
creditable movements and inducing the
people to follow his suggestions. Otoe
county and Nebraska City especially
abound with marks of his forceful
effort. Arbor Lodge, the park, the
Overland theatre, the Morton public
library the starch works and cereal
mills, the packing industry, the Con-
servative, the Tribune, and many other
enterprises are monuments to his ability
and energy.
The state has him to thank for Arbor
day, which is observed on his birthday,
April %, of each year, and many fine
groves and fruit orchards undoubtedly
owe their origin to the inspiration he
has given as the earnest and persistent
advocate of tree planting. The state
is likewise indebted to him as the origin
ator of the state historical society, of
which he was the perpetual president.
That society has been successful in
accommodating many of the early
historical facts relating to this part of
the country and has made start to-
ward recording the events of the states
history that will be Of untold value to
coming generations. He has served the
state in various political capacities
with credit and honor. His last intro.
duction to state politics was in 1892
when as candidate for governor he
made three.cornered fight, with
Crounse and Van Wyck as opponents.
Following this campaign he was intro
duced as figure in national politics by
receiving the appointment of secretary
of agriculture in President Cleveland g
= cabinet. With Cleveland he separated
t from his party when it followed Bryan
and the free silver movement and he
has since been independent of party
=. policies, a situation which he appears
4 to have enjoyed thoroughly. AS secre-
o tary of the bureau of agriculture he
instituted many notable reforms anC
Q advanced the condition of agricultural
9 lists materially, he himself being prac
Y tical and successful farmer. A number
v of the states of the union have adopted
v his Arbor day plan of encouraging tn,
Il planting of trees and probably there il
8 no plan of his that will better serve t,
h perpetuate his name than this holiday
- His energetic, progressive spirit ha
'e been inherited by his sons, who hav,
IS been successful in advancing to position
is of honor and responsibility. His thre,
d surviving sons are Paul Morton, vic,
q president of the Atchison, Topeka s
o Santa Fe railroad company; Joy
n Morton, head Of the starch company ant
n having controlling interest in mum
Il Der of the Morton industries at Ne
y braska City; Mark Morton is treasure
,e of leading salt company and is
" factor in the financial circles of Chicago
a in which city all of his sons make thei
It home. His youngest son, Carl Morton
70 died year ago last January at Wauk
D. egon, H., of pneumonia. He was tn
le companion and favorite of his father
'. who felt his loss keenly, it being con
70 sidered that the death of his son ha,
1t considerable TO do with fastening tn,
Q. decease of the father.
N Mr.. Morton was a great friend Of tn
le young men and was always pleased t
3. aid them with his advice and encourage
N ment. He is worthy example to tn
le young manhood of the country and hi
l. influence will undoubtedly be felt dow
e, through the corridors of time. No
!, only will his life be an aid and encouI
agement to the young men but no nam
}; has been so indelibly engraved in tn
l. history of Nebraska as that of Morton
l. The state and the country will remem
IS ber his service with devotion and graft
J. tude, and his birthday will continue L
49, ..,l ->~--