Julius Sterling Morton [RG1013.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG1013.AM: Julius Sterling Morton, 1832-1902

Papers: 1814-1960, mostly 1850-1902
Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska: Newspaper editor, politician, agriculturist
Size: 52 cu.ft., including oversized materials; 78 reels of microfilm

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Julius Sterling Morton was born in Adams, Jefferson County, New York, on April 22, 1832, the eldest of the three children of Julius Dewey and Emeline Sterling Morton. In 1850 he entered the University of Michigan and subsequently received a degree from both Michigan and Union College in Schenectady, New York. Morton was married on October 30, 1854, to Caroline Joy French of Detroit, Michigan. This union produced four sons, Joy, Paul, Mark and Carl.

Morton migrated to the Nebraska Territory in 1854 and spent his first winter at Bellevue. He subsequently moved to Nebraska City where he became editor of the Nebraska City News. He embarked upon an active political career and was elected to, but not seated in, the first Territorial Legislature, then served in the second and fourth sessions of that body. He was Secretary of the Territory from April 1858 to May 1861, and served concurrently as Acting Governor from December 1858 to May 1859. In 1860 Morton made an unsuccessful bid for Congress, and was defeated in the gubernatorial election of 1866. For a time he withdrew from active participation in politics and concentrated his efforts on railroad promotion and the development of his farm near Nebraska City, but was again a candidate for governor in 1882, 1884, and 1892. Because of Morton’s knowledge of agriculture and his faithful political support, President Grover Cleveland appointed him Secretary of Agriculture in 1893. In 1897 Morton left a successful administration behind him and returned to Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City, where he spent his remaining days editing his newspaper, The Conservative, and compiling a history of Nebraska. He died in Lake Forest, Illinois, on April 27, 1902, at the home of his son, Mark.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of original papers, microfilm, and oversized scrapbooks relating to the life and activities of Julius Sterling Morton, including materials relating to his early education; family history; political, agricultural and business activities; and to his writing, research, and publishing career. Also present are papers relating to Arbor Lodge and Arbor Day. The collection is arranged in two Subgroups comprising a total of twenty-one Series:

Subgroup 1: Microfilmed Records
Series 1 – Incoming correspondence, 1849-1902
Series 2 – Incoming and outgoing correspondence, 1850-1902
Series 3 – Outgoing correspondence, bound letterpress books, 1874-1902
Series 4 – Farm journals and diaries, 1850-1902
Series 5 – Scrapbooks, 1880-1902
Series 6 – Outgoing family correspondence, 1854-1900, undated

Subgroup 2: Unfilmed Records
Series 1 – Financial records, 1855-1902, undated
Series 2 – Legal and land documents, and commissions, 1814-1902, undated
Series 3 – Judicial court material, 1876-99, undated
Series 4 – Political and governmental material, c.1839-1934, undated
Series 5 – Speeches, addresses and writings, c. 1850-1956, undated
Series 6 – Morton’s Spout Magazine, 1942-47
Series 7 – Miscellaneous correspondence, 1827-1910, undated
Series 8 – Letter notes, 1850-1901, undated
Series 9 – Biographical information and family material, c. 1830-1960, undated
Series 10 – Arbor Lodge materials, 1888-1947, undated
Series 11 – Materials relating to Joy Morton’s work toward Arbor Lodge and Arbor Day, 1862-1939, and undated
Series 12 – Overland Opera Theater and other family businesses, 1896-1903
Series 13 – Invitations extended to Julius Sterling Morton, undated
Series 14 – Historical societies, 1917-60, undated
Series 15 – Miscellany, 1859-1932, undated

Subgroup 1 consists of the papers of Julius Sterling Morton as arranged and microfilmed by the Nebraska State Historical Society under a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, 1965 to 1967.  The Nebraska State Historical Society houses both the originals and the microfilm copies; researchers may consult both.  Some items filed in this subgroup were not filmed, and are so noted in this inventory.  Also, after the microfilming was completed, some documents in this subgroup were added or rearranged so that some filmed items may have been moved to locations other than those in which they were filmed, while some items filed among the original documents might not be found on the microfilm at all.  Therefore, when using materials in Subgroup 1, researchers should consult both the microfilm and the original documents.  A detailed description of Subgroup 1 as it exists on microfilm can be found in the published Guide to the Microfilm Edition of the J. Sterling Morton Papers 1849-1902, and researchers should refer to this when using the microfilm.  A brief synopsis follows here:

Subgroup 1, Series 1 consists of microfilmed incoming correspondence. Reel #1 of the microfilm contains an index of correspondents. Some subjects included in the correspondence are:

• Morton’s years at the University of Michigan.
• Morton’s early political career including his role as Secretary of State, Acting Governor, and Secretary of the Territory.
• Morton’s business and agricultural interests.
• Morton’s work with the Burlington and Missouri Railroads.
• Family letters relating to the death of his wife, Caroline Joy, and his son, Carl.
• Correspondence about family business interests.
• Morton’s appointment as Secretary of Agriculture by President Grover Cleveland.
• Publishing of The Conservative.

Subgroup 1, Series 2 is composed of both incoming and outgoing correspondence relating to Morton’s activities as Acting Governor of the Nebraska Territory, Secretary of Agriculture, and editor of The Conservative.

Subgroup 1, Series 3 is composed of outgoing correspondence bound in sixty-one letter pressbooks. All of the pressbooks were microfilmed with the exception of three (so noted in the inventory). Not all of the pressbooks are housed together; some are stored in Subgroup 2. Subjects in the correspondence are wide-ranging, but major topics include:

• Morton’s business and agricultural interests.
• Morton’s lobbying for the railroad.
• Morton’s family interests.
• Operation and inquires about Arbor Lodge.
• Secretary of Agriculture business pertaining to patronage, currency, etc.

Subgroup 1, Series 4 contains diaries and farm journals. Early diaries include Morton’s experiences at the University and his business affairs. Later diaries reveal expenses incurred on business and personal trips, for personal and farming equipment and supplies, and real estate. The farm journals were maintained by Morton, his wife Caroline, his sons, and later, by his sister, Emma. They relate to farm and other business ventures, such as real estate, railroad lobbying, mining claims in New Mexico, political involvement at the Democratic state and national conventions, speaking engagements, and guests at Arbor Lodge.

Subgroup 1, Series 5 is composed of 35 scrapbooks. They contain newspaper clippings about Morton’s political activities from 1887 to 1902. The clippings start with his appointment as Secretary of Agriculture and include materials on his advocacy of civil service and the gold standard, his administration and the dividing line in the Democratic Party over the free silver issue, and the presidential campaigns of 1896 and 1900.

Subgroup 1, Series 6 contains correspondence written by Morton to his four sons, Joy, Mark, Paul and Carl; to his wife, Caroline; and to his sister, Emma. The correspondence concerns the welfare of the Morton family, and business and personal activities of the Morton men and women. While this series contains the bulk of such correspondence, researchers should also consult Subgroup 2, Series 7: Miscellaneous Correspondence.

Subgroup 2 consists of Morton family papers that have not been microfilmed. A brief synopsis follows:

Subgroup 2, Series 1 is composed mainly of tax receipts, canceled checks, receipts, and vouchers. The financial records are of a personal nature.

Subgroup 2, Series 2 consists of legal documents such as the many different types of insurance policies Morton acquired, and records relating to land and business acquisitions. Also included are commissions received by Morton from various organizations.

Subgroup 2, Series 3 contains records and court proceedings from various court cases in Illinois and Nebraska.

Subgroup 2, Series 4 is comprised of political documents, including memoranda for cabinet meetings, pamphlets, advertisements and agendas on the topic of agriculture, as well as loose newspaper clippings and scrapbooks of newspaper clippings.

Subgroup 2, Series 5 contains writings and speeches by J. Sterling Morton, William Jennings Bryan, Joy Morton, Sterling Morton, et al. Newspaper clippings of speeches, and other miscellany are also present.

Subgroup 2, Series 6 contains magazines produced by Morton’s sons.

Subgroup 2, Series 7 includes additional unfilmed J. Sterling Morton correspondence as well as correspondence of other family members.

Subgroup 2, Series 8 consists mostly of pieces of 4″ X 6″ paper containing notes that served as reminders to Morton of what he needed to accomplish, write, etc.

Subgroup 2, Series 9 contains Morton genealogical records dating back to 1668, including scrapbooks, obituaries and eulogies of Morton and Morton descendants.

Subgroup 2, Series 10 contains records of visitors to Arbor Lodge, and newspapers clippings, pamphlets and invitations relating to Arbor Lodge and its founder.

Subgroup 2, Series 11 deals primarily with the correspondence and financial records of Joy Morton, and of the Overland Real Estate Company through which he acquired land in both Chicago, Illinois and Nebraska City, Nebraska. He gave the land to the states as a gift in memory and honor of his father. The series includes correspondence, land contracts, real estate contracts, financial records and blueprints. They mostly relate to Arbor Lodge and Arbor Day.

Morton family business correspondence can be found in Subgroup 2, Series 12. J. Sterling Morton and sons, Joy and Mark, worked to build the Overland Opera Theater in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Other businesses in which the family was involved were the Morton Salt Company, real estate, railroad companies, stock yards, and a printing company. Materials in this series include correspondence and financial records from the various family businesses.

Subgroup 2, Series 13 is comprised of invitations and name cards from balls, weddings, inaugural ceremonies, opening ceremonies, commencement exercises, etc., attended by Morton or to which he was invited.

Subgroup 2, Series 14 consists of miscellaneous information gathered upon the collection’s acquisition by the Nebraska State Historical Society.

The miscellaneous series, Subgroup 2, Series 15, is composed of portions of scrapbooks, organizational materials, memorial leaflets, programs and other ephemera.

INVENTORY

Subgroup 1: Microfilmed Records
Series 1 – Incoming correspondence, 1849-1902 [R1 – Index; R2-46]
Box 1
Folder

1. 1849
2. 1850
3. 1851
4. 1852
5. 1853
6. 1853
7. 1854
8. 1855
9. 1856
10. 1857
11. 1858
12. 1858
13. 1858
14. 1858
15. 1858
16. 1859
17. 1859
18. 1859
19. 1859
20. 1859
21. 1860
22. 1860
23. 1860
24. 1860
25. 1860
26. 1860
27. 1861
28. 1861
29. 1861
30. 1861
31. 1861
32. 1862
33. 1862
34. 1862
35. 1863
36. 1863
37. 1864
38. 1864
39. 1864
40. 1865
41. 1865
42. 1866
43. 1866
44. 1866
45. 1866
46. 1866
47. 1866
48. 1867
49. 1867
50. 1867
51. 1868
52. 1868
53. 1868
54. 1869
55. 1869
56. 1869
57. 1870
58. 1870
59. 1870
60. 1871
61. 1871
62. 1871
63. 1871
64. 1871

Box 2
Folder

65. 1872
66. 1872
67. 1872
68. 1872
69. 1872
70. 1873
71. 1873
72. 1873
73. 1873
74. 1873
75. 1873
76. 1873
77. 1874
78. 1874
79. 1874
80. 1874
81. 1874
82. 1874
83. 1874
84. 1875
85. 1875
86. 1875
87. 1875
88. 1875
89. 1876
90. 1876
91. 1876
92. 1876
93. 1876
94. 1876
95. 1877
96. 1877
97. 1877
98. 1877
99. 1877
100. 1878
101. 1878
102. 1878
103. 1878
104. 1878
105. 1878

Box 3
Folder

106. 1879
107. 1879
108. 1879
109. 1879
110. 1879
111. 1880
112. 1880
113. 1880
114. 1880
115. 1880
116. 1880
117. 1880
118. 1880
119. 1880
120. 1880
121. 1880
122. 1880
123. 1881
124. 1881
125. 1881
126. 1881
127. 1882
128. 1882
129. 1882
130. 1883
131. 1883
132. 1884
133. 1884
134. 1884
135. 1884
136. 1884

Box 4
Folder

137. 1885
138. 1885
139. 1885
140. 1885
141. 1885
142. 1885
143. 1885
144. 1885
145. 1885
146. 1885
147. 1885
148. 1886
149. 1886
150. 1886
151. 1886
152. 1886
153. 1886
154. 1886
155. 1886
156. 1886
157. 1886
158. 1886
159. 1886
160. 1886
161. 1886
162. 1887
163. 1887
164. 1887
165. 1887
166. 1887
167. 1887
168. 1887
169. 1887

Box 5
Folder

170. 1888
171. 1888
172. 1888
173. 1888
174. 1888
175. 1888
176. 1888
177. 1888
178. 1888
179. 1889
180. 1889
181. 1889
182. 1889
183. 1889
184. 1890
185. 1890
186. 1890
187. 1890
188. 1890
189. 1890
190. 1891
191. 1891
192. 1891
193. 1891
194. 1891
195. 1891
196. 1891
197. 1891
198. 1891
199. 1892, A-H
200. 1892, A-H
201. 1892, A-H
202. 1892, A-H
203. 1892, A-H
204. 1892, A-H

Box 6
F205-211: 1892, I – Z
F212-234: 1893, A – E

Box 7
F235-266: 1893, Fa – McD

Box 8
F267-300: 1893, McHugh – Ty

Box 9
F301-311: 1893, U – Ye and unidentified
F312-330: 1894, A – Har

Box 10
F331-366: 1894, Has – Zink and unidentified

Box 11
F367-407: 1895, Abb – Mil

Box 12
F408-435: 1895, Min – Zim and unidentified
F436-450: 1896, Abb – Dee

Box 13
F451-492a: 1896, Deg – Yat and unidentified

Box 14
F493-520: 1897, Agi – Wom and unidentified
F521-533: 1898, Ab – Hy

Box l5
F534-550: 1898, Ill – Zen and unidentified
F551-574: 1899, Ad – Zen and unidentified
F575-580: 1900, Ab – Fi

Box 16
F581-595: 1900, Fl – Zou and unidentified
F596-617: 1901, Al – Zim and unidentified
F618-622: 1902, Al – Wo

Series 2 – Incoming and outgoing correspondence, 1850-1902 [R47]
Box 17
Folder

1. 1850-1875
2. 1877-1885
3. 1886
4. 1887-1893
5. 1894-1895
6. 1896-1902

Series 3 – Outgoing correspondence (bound letter press books), 1874-1902 [R48-69]
Box l7
Folder

1. April 12, 1874 – July 16, 1875
2. July 15, 1875 – July 16, 1877
3. February 26, 1876 – January 1, 1877
4. January 1, 1877 – December 31, 1879
5. July 16, 1877 – January 1, 1879
6. January 3, 1880 – September 20, 1880
7. October 7, 1880 – August 25, 1881
8. August 27, 1881 – April 24, 1882

Box l8
Folder

9. December 30, 1882 – December 23, 1884
10. August 22, 1882 – April 17, 1885
11. December 24, 1883 – January 28, 1885
12. April 18, 1885 – August 31, 1885
13. August 31, 1885 – April 19, 1887
14. April 18, 1887 – May 10, 1888
15. May 12, 1888 – May 17, 1889
16. January 5, 1889 – November 19, 1892
17. November 20, 1892 – February 13, 1893
18. March 11, 1893 – September 20, 1895; Official Correspondence of J. Sterling Morton, Secretary of Agriculture, Volume 1
19. September 22, 1893 – April 20, 1895; Official Correspondence of J. Sterling Morton, Secretary of Agriculture, Volume 2

Box 19
Folder

20. May 1, 1895 – February 19, 1897; Official Correspondence of J. Sterling Morton, Secretary of Agriculture, Volume 3
21. March 11, 1893 – May 22, 1895
22. March 6, 1893 – March 24, 1893
23. March 10, 1893 – April 26, 1893
24. May 1, 1893 – June 14, 1893
25. June 14, 1893 – June 30, 1893
26. July 1, 1893 – August 18, 1893
27. August 8, 1893 – September 22, 1893 (includes a letter to Attorney General Olney dated August 8, 1893, copied in this book August 19, 1893)
28. September 23, 1893 – November 16, 1893 (also contains October 30, 1854, when Morton married and moved to Nebraska)

Box 20
Folder

29. November 16, 1893 – December 23, 1893
30. December 23, 1893 – February 13, 1894
31. February 13, 1894 – August 4, 1894
32. April 3, 1894 – May 26, 1894
33. May 26, 1894 – July 28, 1894
34. July 30, 1894 – November 3, 1894
35. November 3, 1894 – January 5, 1895
36. January 7, 1895 – March 15, 1895
37. March 15, 1895 – May 9, 1895
38. May 9, 1895 – July 21, 1895
39. July 3, 1895 – August 28, 1895

Box 21
Folder

40. August 28, 1895 – October 28, 1895
41. October 28, 1895 – December 30, 1895
42. December 30, 1895 – February 29, 1896
43. March 2, 1896 – May 5, 1896
44. May 13, 1896 – August 26, 1896
45. August 26, 1896 – October 4, 1896
46. September 8, 1896 – November 24, 1896 [not filmed] (contains library catalog for Arbor Lodge, p. 459)
47. November 25, 1896 – January 25, 1897
48. January 25, 1897 – May 15, 1897
49. May 15, 1897 – January 17, 1898
50. January 29, 1898 – April 11, 1898

Box 22
Folder

51. April 11, 1898 – June 28, 1898
52. May 30, 1898 – November 1, 1898, and September 1, 1891 -September 28, 1891 (includes “The Scientific Method of Disbursing Government Funds,” illustrated. by Professor Mark W. Harrington)
53. November 2, 1898 – May 27, 1899
54. May 29, 1899 – December 19, 1899
55. December 19, 1899 – August 9, 1900
56. August 11, 1900 – January 26, 1901
57. January 26, 1901 – June 3, 1901
58. August 4, 1901 – November 14, 1901
59. November 15, 1901 – September 19, 1902
60. July 25, 1895 – February 19, 1897 [not filmed] (includes Russian Wheat Minister correspondence)

Box 23
Folder

61. June 24, 1899 – September 29, 1899 [not filmed] (includes W.W. Palmer correspondence)

Series 4 – Farm journals and diaries, 1850-1902 [R70-73]
Box 23
Folder

1. Farm journals, 1850 – 1852
2. Farm journals, 1859
3. Farm journals, 1874
4. Farm journals, 1875
5. Farm journals, 1876
6. Farm journals, 1877
7. Farm journals, 1878
8. Farm journals, 1879
9. Farm journals, 1880
10. Farm journals, 1881
11. Farm journals, 1882
12. Farm journals, 1883
13. Farm journals, 1884
14. Farm journals, 1885
15. Farm journals, 1886
16. Farm journals, 1887
17. Farm journals, 1888
18. Farm journals, 1889

Box 24
Folder

19. Farm journals, 1890
20. Farm journals, 1891
21. Farm journals, 1892
22. Farm journals, 1893
23. Farm journals, 1894
24. Farm journals, 1895
25. Farm journals, 1897
26. Farm journals, 1898
27. Farm journals, 1899
28. Farm journals, 1900
29. Farm journals, 1901
30. Farm journals, 1901
31. Farm journals, 1902
32. Farm journals, 1902
33. Diaries, 1851, 1852
34. Diaries, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1869
35. Diaries, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873
36. Diaries, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1878

Box 25
Folder

37. Diaries, 1880, 1881, 1885, 1897
38. Diaries, miscellaneous

Series 5 – Scrapbooks, 1880-1902 [R74-77]
Volume (oversize)

1. 1880-1883
2. 1883-1884
3. 1884-1885
4. 1885
5. 1886-1887
6. 1887-1888
7. 1889-1890
8. 1891-1893
9. 1892
10. 1893
11. [Original is missing]
12. 1893
13. 1894
14. 1894
15. 1894
16. 1894
17. 1894-1895
18. 1895
19. 1895
20. 1895
21. 1895
22. 1896
23. 1896
24. 1896
25. 1896
26. 1896
27. 1896
28. 1896
29. 1896
30. 1896
31. 1896-1897
32. 1896-1898
33. 1897-1898
34. 1899-1900
35. 1901-1902

Series 6 – Outgoing family correspondence, 1854-1900, n.d. [R78]
Box 25
Folder

1. J.S.M. to Carrie (Mrs. J.S.), 1854 – 1881
2. J.S.M. to Emma, 1854 – 1899
3. J.S.M. to his son, Carl, 1881 – 1894
4. J.S.M. to his son, Joy, 1886 – April 5, 1893
5. J.S.M. to his son, Joy, April 6, 1893 – January 26, 1894
6. J.S.M. to his son, Joy, February 19, 1894 – April 26, 1895
7. J.S.M. to his son, Joy, April 27, 1895 – November 11, 1895
8. J.S.M. to his son, Joy, April 1, 1897 – August 6, 1900
9. J.S.M. to his son, Mark, 1888 – 1899
10. J.S.M. to his son, Paul, 1872 – 1893
11. Unidentified and undated correspondence
12. Unidentified and undated correspondence

Subgroup 2: Unfilmed Records
Series 1 – Financial records, 1855-1902, n.d.
Box 25
Folder

1. Tax receipts for Nebraska, 1858-1900
2. County bonds and tax statistics, 1870-1887
3. Petitions, statistics, etc., 1873-1896
4. Tax book (taxes paid to Otoe County, 1855-1900)
5. Record book of taxation and confiscation, 1855-1900
6. Miscellaneous lists, statements and expenses, 1856-1896, undated
7. Account book, 1894

Box 26
Folder

8. Receipts, records, etc.
9. Receipts, vouchers, checks, 1854-62
10. Receipts, vouchers, checks, 1863-70
11. Receipts, vouchers, checks, 1871-72
12. Receipts, vouchers, checks, 1873-74
13. Receipts, vouchers, checks, 1875-80
14. Receipts, vouchers, checks, 1881-90
15. Receipts, vouchers, checks, 1891-97
16. Receipts, vouchers, checks, bills, 1899-1901
17. Canceled checks, 1898
18. Canceled checks, 1899
19. Canceled checks, 1891-1892
20. Canceled checks, 1900-1902

Box 27
Folder

21. Canceled personal checks, Julius Sterling and Emma Morton, miscellaneous dates
22. Canceled personal checks, Julius Sterling and Emma Morton, miscellaneous dates
23. Check stub register, c. 1902
24. Miscellaneous information, c. 1880, undated

Series 2 – Legal and land documents and commissions, 1814-1902, n.d.
Box 27
Folder

1. Legal documents (mortgages, deeds, contracts, etc.), 1839-1882, undated
2. Receipts, land records, correspondence, c. 1860, undated
3. Land contracts, agreements, c. 1860-1880s, undated
4. Morton relatives: titles, abstracts, etc., undated
5. Insurance policies, land titles, c. 1870-1902
6. Insurance record against Arbor Lodge and other properties of Julius Sterling Morton, 1849
7. Subscription book to the Capital Stock of the Nebraska Bridge Company, 1872
8. Mining company agreements, 1843-1870
9. Certificates, commissions, land and stock shares, etc., c.1814-1890s, undated
10. Commissions, appointments, certificates, awards, 1876-96 (see also OB082)
11. Miscellaneous information about insurance, stock bonds, Mortgage loans, undated

Series 3 – Judicial court materials, 1876-1899, n.d.
Box 27
Folder

1. Supreme Court of Illinois:
   J. Sterling Morton vs. Smith, September 1876
   J. Sterling Morton vs. Freer and Smith, September 1876
   J. Sterling Morton vs. Smith, September 1876
2. Superior Court of Nebraska:
   J. Sterling Morton vs. Stevenson, July 1885
   J. Sterling Morton vs. Watson, undated
   Waldron vs. Ramsey, September 1899
3. Letter press book: In the matter of the disbarment of John C. Watson; testimony before the investigation committee appointed by Judge B.S. Ramsey of the 2^nd judicial district, Sept. 1899.

Series 4 – Political and Governmental Materials, c.1839-1934, n.d.
Box 27
Folder

1. Territorial documents, c. 1839-1860
2. Territorial government receipts, bills (as Secretary of State), 1858-1862
3. Vouchers (territorial period), 1858-1862
4. Miscellaneous documents, Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, c1870

Box 28
Folder

5. Legislative bills, 1878-1894, undated
6. Democratic Party materials (miscellaneous letters, pamphlets, etc.), c.1870s-1890s, undated
7. Legislative resolution, 1893
8. Inaugural ceremonies of President Grover Cleveland, March 4, 1893
9. Inaugural speech of President Grover Cleveland, 1893; Obituaries and Eulogies scrapbook (newspaper clippings), 1902 (see oversize)
10. Currency question printed material, c.1880
11. Department of Agriculture miscellany, 1894-1896
12. Agriculture Congress miscellany, 1875-1901, undated
13. Agriculture: conferences, by-laws, letters, undated
14. Agriculture: advertisements on stock, nurseries, c.1870s-1890s, undated
15. Agriculture: advertisements, miscellaneous pamphlets given to Morton as Secretary of Agriculture, 1888, undated
16. Tributes to Senator Hitchcock, February 1934 (see oversize)
17. Memoranda for Cabinet meetings, 1893
18. Memoranda for Cabinet meetings, 1894
19. Memoranda for Cabinet meetings, 1895
20. Memoranda for Cabinet meetings, 1896
21. Memoranda for Cabinet meetings, 1897
22. Congressional Globe, 36^th Congress, 1^st Session
23. Congressional Globe, 37^th Congress, 1^st Session
24. Congressional Globe, 37^th Congress, 2^nd Session

Box 29
Folder

25. “Receipts, Expenditures, and Debt of the United States, 1789-1896”
26. Political scrapbook (newspaper clippings), 1874-78
27. Political scrapbook (newspaper clippings), 1880-83
28. Political scrapbook (newspaper clippings), Otoe County, c.1880 (see oversize)
29. Political scrapbook (newspaper clippings), c.1880 (see oversize)
30. Miscellaneous newspaper clippings
31. Miscellaneous newspaper clippings
32. Miscellaneous newspaper clippings
33. Miscellaneous newspaper clippings
34. Miscellaneous advertisements, pamphlets, statements
35. Miscellaneous advertisements, pamphlets, statements
36. Miscellaneous advertisements, pamphlets, statements

Series 5 – Speeches, addresses and writings, c.1850-1956, n.d.
Box 29
Folder

1. Political speeches given before the cabinet, Congress, committees, 1881-95, undated
2. Political miscellany, 1886-1901, undated
3. Department of Agriculture and statistics on speech, September 5, 1894
4. “A Few Facts on Finance”, undated
5. Manuscript and signature of President Grover Cleveland, December 21, 1891
6. Miscellaneous newspaper clippings regarding political speeches, 1876-1942, undated

Box 30
Folder

7. Speech by William J. Bryan and J.S. Morton at the Carlisle Indian School, September 26, 1900
8. Speeches given at the Nebraska State Fair, schools and universities, c. 1858-1904
9. Commemorative speeches and pamphlets, c. 1850-1896
10. Thanksgiving speeches given by Morton at Bellevue, Nebraska, undated
11. Address by Mr. Joy Morton at the presentation of Arbor Lodge to the state of Nebraska, September 27, 1923
12. Speeches given by Sterling Morton (grandson of Julius Sterling Morton), 1937 and 1956
13. Miscellaneous speeches and addresses
14. Morton Family book of poetry, undated
15. Discourse by H.P. Tappan, December 21, 1852
16. Copy of “New English Canaan” or “New Canaan” (undated reprint of 1637 original); “Monticello,” essay, undated.
17. Miscellaneous writings

Series 6 – Morton’s Spout Magazine, 1942-1947
Box 30
Folder

1. January – June, 1943
2. July – December, 1943
3. January – June, 1944
4. July – December, 1944
5. January – June, 1945
6. July – December, 1945
7. Miscellaneous copies, 1942, 1946, 1947

Series 7 – Miscellaneous correspondence, 1827-1910, n.d.
Box 30
Folder

1. Julius Sterling Morton, 1845-1866
2. Julius Sterling Morton, 1867-1873
3. Julius Sterling Morton, 1874-1878

Box 31
Folder

4. Julius Sterling Morton, 1879-1884
5. Julius Sterling Morton, 1885-1887
6. Julius Sterling Morton, 1888
7. Julius Sterling Morton, 1889-1892
8. Julius Sterling Morton, 1893
9. Julius Sterling Morton, 1894
10. Julius Sterling Morton, 1895-1896
11. Julius Sterling Morton, 1897-1901
12. Julius Sterling Morton, 1902, Ad – Ev
13. Julius Sterling Morton, 1902, Fa – Ku
14. Julius Sterling Morton, 1902, La – Wr
15. Julius Sterling Morton, 1903
16. Julius Sterling Morton, undated
17. Julius Sterling Morton and Walbridge (correspondence relating to the newspaper they set up at the Abline school), 1847-1848
18. Mary French Morton, 1827
19. Pressbook, Abner and Julius Dewey Morton, outgoing correspondence, 1854-1859

Box 32
Folder

20. Pressbook, Julius Dewey Morton, outgoing correspondence, 1854
21. William D. Morton, 1855-73
22. Mrs. J.S. Morton to Emma Morton, 1860-81, undated
23. Mrs. J.S. Morton, 1860-1881, undated
24. Paul Morton, 1872-1902
25. Carl Morton, 1881-1886, 1893-1900, undated
26. Mark Morton, 1886-1910, undated
27. Joy Morton, incoming correspondence, 1880-1892
28. Joy Morton, incoming correspondence, 1893-1895
29. Joy Morton, incoming correspondence, 1896-June 1898
30. Joy Morton, incoming correspondence, September-April 1899
31. Joy Morton, incoming correspondence, May-September 1899
32. Joy Morton, incoming correspondence, October 1899-1902
33. Joy Morton, incoming correspondence, 1905
34. Miscellaneous correspondence, Morton men, undated
35. Miscellaneous family correspondence, 1838-1902
36. J. McMurphy to J.S.M., November 29, 1894
37. J. Canfield to J.S.M., re: John J. Pershing, January 9, 1895
38. William J. Bryan to J.S.M., re: 1888 election loss, 1888
39. Henry Smith to J.S.M. re: the William J. Bryan controversy, October 3, 1899
40. Miscellaneous letters
41. Ledger and miscellaneous autographs and photograph requests, c.1870

Series 8 – Letter notes, 1850-1901, n.d.
Box 32
Folder

1. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1850-1859
2. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1860-1869
3. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1870-1879
4. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1880-1889
5. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1892

Box 33
Folder

6. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1893
7. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1893
8. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1894
9. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1895
10. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1896
11. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1896
12. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1897-1898
13. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1899
14. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1900
15. Notes written by J.S. Morton, 1901
16. Notes written by J.S. Morton, undated
17. Note logbook, 1858 and 1882

Series 9 – Biographical information and family materials, c.1830-1960, n.d.
Box 33
Folder

1. Morton Family records, including family pedigree
2. Newspaper clippings (obituaries of Morton descendants), undated
3. Julius Sterling Morton historical data, biographical information

Box 34
Folder

4. Scrapbook (obituaries & eulogies of J.S. Morton), 1902
5. Scrapbook (obituaries & eulogies of J.S. Morton), 1902
6. Scrapbook (obituaries & eulogies of J.S. Morton), 1902 (see oversize)
7. J.D. Morton Monroe newspaper clippings about the interest rate of banks, c. 1830s
8. Honor diploma of Mark Morton, 1941; grades of Joy Morton, 1867, 1874
9. Mark Morton, records of farm, invitation, contracts, etc., undated
10. Mark Morton farm statistics notebook, c. 1935
11. Illinois House Resolution No. 95, upon the death of Mark Morton, June 27, 1951
12. Sterling Morton dedications, writings, correspondence, miscellany, c. 1940-1960
13. Family Bible

Series 10 – Arbor Lodge materials, 1888-1947, n.d.
Box 35
Folder

1. Bill of sale of original pine grove given to Arbor Lodge, Waukegan, Illinois, April 29, 1891
2. Maps of Arbor Lodge, blueprints, undated
3. Arbor Lodge log book, 1888
4. Arbor Lodge log book, 1896
5. Proclamations and statements about Arbor Lodge from other states, 1893-1894, 1947
6. Arbor Day exercises at the Department of Agriculture, April 22, 1893
7. Arbor Lodge library inventory, October 6, 1896 (pressbook)
8. Arbor Lodge scrapbook (newspaper clippings), undated
9. Correspondence to Allen and Erland Neilson about the upkeep of Arbor Lodge
10. Newspaper clippings, undated
11. Pamphlets, publications, invitations, programs, 1901-1940

Series 11 – Materials relating to Joy Morton’s work toward Arbor Lodge and Arbor Day, 1862-1939, n.d.
Box 35
Folder

1. Land transfer, 1887; tax receipts, 1862-1872, 1880-1895, 1900-1915
2. Correspondence, 1896-1917, undated
3. Correspondence, 1918-1929
4. Correspondence, 1929-1939; abstracts, 1857-1868
5. Indenture, warranty deeds, quit-claim deeds, 1901-1918
6. Farm leases, contracts, 1901-1922

Series 12 – Overland Opera Theater and Other Family Businesses, 1896-1903
Box 35
Folder

1. Pressbook, A.T. Richardson correspondence, 1896-1901
2. Morton Brothers receipts, regulations, etc. for construction and operation, c. 1897
3. Carl Morton receipts, correspondence, c. 1898

Box 36
Folder

4. Joy Morton correspondence, 1897
5. Bill posting pressbook, 1901-1903

Series 13 – Invitations extended to J.S. Morton, n.d.
Box 36
Folder

1. Miscellaneous invitations
2. Miscellaneous invitations
3. Miscellaneous invitations
4. Miscellaneous invitations
5. Miscellaneous invitations
6. Miscellaneous invitations
7. Miscellaneous invitations
8. Miscellaneous invitations
9. Miscellaneous invitations
10. Name cards

Series 14 – Historical Societies, 1916-1960
Box 37
Folder

1. Chicago Historical Society, 1917
2. Nebraska State Historical Society and the University Libraries, Morton acquisitions, 1916-1960
3. James Olsen correspondence, outgoing/incoming, 1947-1954
4. Newspaper clipping, August 6, 1939
5. “Nebraska. First Printing of Books and Newspapers.” Excerpt from New Jersey Archives, Volume 19, pp. XXIX-XXXII, History of American Newspapers.

Series 15 – Miscellany, 1859-1932, n.d.
Box 37
Folder

1. Memorial leaflets, undated
2. Minutes of the Choral Club of Nebraska City, 1901
3. The Whopper Scrapbook, Hall County Diamond Jubilee, July 4-5, 1932 (see oversize)
4. Scrapbook (newspaper articles by Butler), 1892
5. Railroad material: printed matter, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, c.1872, 1892
6. Organizational materials, meetings, miscellaneous, c. 1873-1896, undated
7. American Forestry Association materials, c. 1880-1890
8. Scrapbook: miscellaneous information about the year 1900 (see oversize)
9. Scrapbook: miscellaneous information about the year, c.l905 (see oversize)
10. Miscellaneous information about the years 1859, 1869, 1902

Addendum:
Box 38 (unprocessed) – Mostly Arbor Lodge related materials

Subject headings:

Agriculture
Business & finance
Government officials
Horticulture
Political activity
Political campaigns
Political elections
Politicians
Politics & government

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925
Furnas, Robert Wilkinson, 1824-1905
Miller, George L., 1830-1920
Morton, Carl, 1865-1901
Morton, Caroline Joy (French), 1833-1881
Morton, Emma, 1837-1912
Morton, Joy, 1855-1934
Morton, Julius Sterling, 1832-1902
Morton, Mark, 1858-1951
Perkins, Charles Elliott, 1840-1907
Sawyer, Andrew J., 1844-1924
Vifquain, Victor, 1836-1904
Watkins, Albert, 1848-1923

Agriculture — Nebraska
Arbor Day
Arbor Lodge (Nebraska City, Nebraska)
Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company
Democratic party
Gold standard
Morton family
Nebraska — Politics and government
Nebraska City (Nebraska) — History
Nebraska Mexican Mining Company
Nebraska State Board of Agriculture
Patronage, Political — United States
Railroads — United States
Santa Fe Railroad
Silver question
Tariff — United States
Tree planting — Nebraska
United States — Politics and government

 

Revised CS/PJE 03-1993
Revised KFK 02-1996; 08-2002
Revised TMM 04-16-2020