J sterling morton biography templates

the "creator" of Arbor Day

Julius Sterling Morton was born in Adams, New York, on April 22, 1832, but grew up in Detroit. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1854, married Caroline Joy French on October 22 of that same year, and soon after moved to Nebraska Territory. The Morton Family eventually included four sons.

In Nebraska, Morton began working for the territory's first newspaper, the Nebraska City News, of which he later became editor. He also became a successful farmer and was often sought out as an expert on improving local crop yields. Many of his editorials advocated the planting of trees to enrich the soil and conserve moisture, and he set an example for his friends and neighbors by planting orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm.

Morton's political career began in 1855, when he was elected to the Nebraska Territorial Legislature, where he served until 1858. In 1858, President James Buchanan named him Secret