Clay County, West Virginia Biography of Seth A. MORTON This biography was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: The submitter does not have a connection to the subject of this sketch. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 320 SETH A. MORTON. With the possible exception of honesty and integrity, there is no other quality so in demand in the business world of today as practicality. Energy, push, en- terprise, courage and rapid and sure decision mark the men who become the compelling forces in the upbuilding of the trade and commerce of the country. Seth A. Morton, a well-known lumberman of Sutton, has been so marked. There has been no element of chance in the success which he has achieved; on the contrary, it has been the inevitable result of what he has put of himself into his energies. No fortunate circumstances gave him any early advantage, for he began his business career with only the endowments with which nature had favored him, coupled with the sound principles instilled in his home during his boyhood. Mr. Morton was born in Clay County, West Virginia, April 7, 1868, a son of Daniel and Charlotte (Roger) Mor- ton. His father was also bora in Clay County, a son of John T. Morton, the latter being a son of Thomas T. Morton, who was a soldier during the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. After the close of the latter struggle he went to Clay County, where he and his wife passed the rest of their lives. His son, John T. Morton, was reared in Clay County, where he married the widow of Samuel Holcomb and became the father of six children, among them Daniel Mor- ton. Daniel Morton was reared in Clay County, where he was given only limited educational advantages, and as a young man adopted the vocation of agriculture, which he followed throughout his life. He was a republican in poli- tics, although not an office seeker. Of his ten children the following are living at this time: G. P., of Molino, Florida; Seth A., of this review; Chloe, the wife of John D. Ramsey; Moses S., of Harriman, Tennessee; Mary S., the wife of W. J. Ramsey, and Esther, the wife of H. J. Walker. It is interesting to note that of this family three of the Morton daughters married three brothers of the Eamsey family, while one of the Morton boys married one of the Ramsey girls. Seth A. Morton was reared on his father's farm in Clay County, where he was given his education in the district schools, and until he reached the age of twenty-one years was his father's associate in the work of the home place. While thus engaged he became interested in the lumber busi- ness, which he finally entered on his own account and eventu- ally established an office and yard at Sutton. Following his marriage he lived for a time on the old home farm in Clay County, where he divided his time between farming and lumbering, subsequently moving to Webster County, where he owned and operated a sawmill until 1918. He then dis- posed of his interests in Webster County and moved to Sutton, and has here built up a splendid business and placed himself among the leading business men of the place. In October, 1896, Mr. Morton was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Ramsey, who was reared on a farm in Clay County and was educated in the public schools, and to this union there have been born four children: Mabel, the wife of F. J. Howie; Mamie, the wife of W. A. Robinson; and Marco O. and Olive, who are attending public school. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have one grandchild: Elnora Robin- son, born December 26, 1921. By a previous marriage Mr. Morton had two children, of whom one is living, Fred &., of Webster County, West Virginia, a veteran of the World war. In his political allegiance Mr. Morton is a democrat, but has not cared for public office, his business interests having been of sufficient importance and size to keep his attention and energies occupied. He has some valuable realty holdings in this region, which include 300 acres of coal lands, as well as a modern home at Sutton and a dwel- ling at Charleston.