Izard Co., AR - Biographies - Dr. R. H. Morton

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Dr. R. H. Morton, Franklin, Ark. Dr. Morton is one of the oldest practitioners
of Franklin Township, and one of the oldest in the county. He owes his nativity
to Bedford County, Tenn., and is the son of Jacob and Annie (Fisher) Morton,
natives of North Carolina. Jacob Morton received an average education in his
native State, and came to Tennessee at an early date. He purchased a farm in
Bedford County, and was one of the first settlers of Shelbyville. In connection
with farming he also carried on the blacksmith trade, but his principal
occupation was tilling the soil, which he gave his attention until his death in
1857. He was married in Tennessee, and he and wife commenced housekeeping on
Duck River, where they reared a large family of children, eight now living:
Minerva, wife of B. F. Whitworth; Sophronia (deceased) was the wife of Michael
Shofner; G. W. C. (deceased), whose family resides in Bedford County, Tenn.;
Daniel C. resides in Coffee County, Tenn.; Nancy, wife of Edward Whitworth;
Christina, wife of W. Tune; Emily, wife of Newton Neal; Ann, wife of B. F.
Smawling, D. E. resides in Bedford County, Tenn.; Dr. R. H., Jessie E., wife of
T. N. Smith; Elijah A. resides in Bedford County, Tenn., and Martha (deceased),
wife of T. N. Smith. The father of these children served in the War of 1812, as
a private, and participated in the battle of New Orleans, Mrs. Morton died about
1869. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Morton took
an active interest in politics, and was a very strong supporter of Old Hickory.
Dr. R. H. Morton divided his time in early youth between assisting on the farm
and in attending the free and subscription schools of Tennessee, where he
received a good English education. He attended medical lectures at Nashville,
Tenn., in 1856 and 1857, and opened his first office at Poplin's Cross Roads,
where he practiced for two years previous to graduating. He was then located in
Missouri, from 1858 to 1861 (Texas County). In the spring of the last mentioned
year he served in the Confederate service as surgeon, and thus continued until
1863, when he resigned and located in Izard County, where he has since resided.
He graduated at the American Medical College, at St. Louis, in 1878, and is the
oldest practicing physician in the county. He has almost abandoned the practice
[p.962] of his profession in late years, and is now interested in agricultural
pursuits. The Doctor was married in September, 1857, to Miss Emma A. Nichols, of
Tenn., but they have never had any children. He is quite well fixed financially,
and enjoys life to the fullest extent. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., is
also a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been Treasurer of the former lodge,
holding the position of Vice-Grand, Commander, and others in the latter lodge.
He is a Democrat in politics, but has never been an office seeker. He is a
member of the Christian Church. The Doctor owns considerable land, and has on
his home place about seventy-five acres under cultivation. He has good barns,
outbuildings, etc. His residence is one of the finest in the county, and there
he entertains his friends in the social pleasant manner peculiar to him, and the
stranger also meets with a ready welcome from the Doctor and his agreeable wife.
Although children were denied their union, the Doctor and wife have reared
several who were left orphans.
Jacob Mosier, Sr., was born on the Potomac River, in Lincoln County, N. C., in
1821. His father, Barnett M. Mosier, was also a native of that State, his birth
occurring in 1799, and was married there to Margaret, a daughter of Corb.
Gobble, their union taking place when he was eighteen years of age. In 1832 he
removed with his family to Independence County, Ark., and purchased and entered
land there to the amount of 320 acres, which land he was engaged in farming up
to the time of his death, in 1864. His children are: Mary J., Allen B., George
W., Henry A., Jacob and Jack. Jacob Mosier removed to Arkansas with his parents,
and on his father's farm, in Independence County, he learned the details of farm
work, which occupation has received his attention up to the present time. He is
one of the leading husbandmen of this vicinity, and has 250 acres of well
improved and well cultivated land. He was one of the pioneers of the State, and
during its early history he carried the surveyor's chain through this section,
this being some fifty years age. He is one of the hard-working men of Izard
County, and owing to his many worthy characteristics, chief among which may be
mentioned his generosity and honesty, he is respected and esteemed by all. In
1854 he took a trip to California. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Melissa A.
Romenor, by whom he has a family of seven children: Mary J., William H., Jacob,
Charles M., Cordelia, Sarah A. and Marlba. Mr. Mosier and his wife are members
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F.