Virginia, who was born December 21, 1842, and was married October 22, 1868, to Granville Bookout. All have passed away.      John E. Morton, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the public schools of Adams county and was there reared upon the home farm amid the environments of pioneer life, sharing with the family in the hardships and trials incident to settlement upon a frontier and aiding in the arduous work of developing a new farm. After arriving at years of maturity he engaged in merchandising at Newtown, Illinois, from 1858 to 1861. He was associated with his father-in-law, Ezekiel C. Brown, under the firm style of Brown & Morton, and previous to the organization of this partnership Mr. Brown had carried on business in Newtown with Thomas Tripp under the firm style of Brown & Tripp for three or four years. Having disposed of his store, Mr. Morton conducted the Perry Springs Hotel until 1864 and in the winter of 1865 embarked in merchandising at Perry under the firm style of Morton, Oat & Kellogg. They conducted a general mercantile enterprise until 1867, when they closed out and Mr. Morton turned his attention to the lumber and grain business. After a time he extended the field of his operations to pork packing, in which he continued until 1870. In that year his grain warehouse and lumber yard were destroyed by fire and in order to recuperate his losses Mr. Morton went to Kansas, where he spent the succeeding three years. In 1874 he returned to Perry, however, and was engaged in the insurance business for some time, but for the past ten years has conducted an undertaking business.      On the 25th of March, 1855, was celebrated the marriage of John E. Morton and Miss Emily Jane Brown, who was born March 30, 1838, and was a daughter of Ezekiel C. and Clarinda (Sly) Brown, both of whom were born and reared in Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in that state December 15, 1831. Mr. Brown was born April 24, 1803, and his wife on the 5th of January, 1811. Following their marriage they came to Illinois in 1840 and were afterward identified with business interests in this part of the state. Mr. Brown was a cooper by trade and bought a farm in Payson township, Adams county, following his removal to Illinois. There he resided until 1861, when he came to Pike county and purchased the Perry Springs Hotel. Mr. Morton came to Pike county at the same time and they conducted the hotel together during the years 1862 and 1863. The following year they sold the springs and the hotel to the firm of Watson & Company of Springfield and Mr. Brown then purchased a farm west of Perry known as the Dexter place, upon which he lived for a few years, when he again took up his abode in the village of Perry. He spent three years in Topeka, Kansas, from 1871 until 1874, when he returned to Pike county and lived upon his farm until his death, which occurred March 8, 1876. His wife passed away July 28, 1889. They were devoted members of the Presbyterian church and in early life Mr. Brown gave his political allegiance to the whig party.      Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morton were born the following named: Charles Cooper, the eldest, died December 24, 1857. Venie Luff was married October 17, 1878, to William Marden and they have become the parents of three children; Charles Morton, Mabel Emily and Roy Marden. Frankie Albert died November 12, 1862. Mary Clarinda and Fannie Williams Morton are at home.      Mr. Morton of this review, long recognized as an enterprising citizen of Pike county, has been called to a number of public offices. He served as supervisor of his township from 1863 until 1865 inclusive and has been justice of the peace for the past twenty years or more. He was made a member of Kingston lodge, No. 266, A. F. & A. M. at Kingston, Adams county, Illinois, March 18, 1861, and by demit joined Perry lodge, No. 95, on the 4th of February, 1865. He has acted as master of this lodge for several terms and he also belongs to Perry chapter, No. 135, R. A. m., and has filled the office of high priest for several terms. At the present time he is one of the grand lecturers of the state and on several different occasions he has been a delegate to the grand lodge. He served for three years as deputy grand master of the twentieth district and has been a delegate to the grand chapter. He takes a most active and helpful interest in Masonic work and