Julius Sterling Morton

Julius Sterling Morton ( born April 22, 1832 in Adams, Jefferson County, New York, † April 27, 1902 in Lake Forest, Illinois ) was an American politician (Democratic Party). He was Minister of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland and 1858-1859, and in 1861 governor of the Nebraska Territory.

Early years

Julius Morton moved early with his family to Detroit in Michigan. There he attended until 1854, the University of Michigan. This year, Julius went with his fiancée in the Nebraska Territory. There he settled in the vicinity of Nebraska City. He published a newspaper and became a successful farmer. He also helped with the surveying and construction of Nebraska City.

Political rise

At the same time he took share in the political process. Between 1855 and 1858 he was a member of the Territorial Parliament, with a break in 1857. In 1858 he was appointed by President James Buchanan as Secretary of State of this territory. This office he held until 1861. During this time he had twice as representatives of Territorial Governor Samuel Watson Black officiating. With the change of government in Washington and the following civil war ended Mortons tenure as Secretary of State. In the following years he became a respected farmer in Nebraska. He introduced modern agricultural methods and held lectures about it. In the years 1882 and 1884 Morton ran unsuccessfully against each James W. Dawes for the office of governor of Nebraska. Over the years, he made such an important name in the field of agriculture, that you became aware of him in Washington. President Grover Cleveland appointed him in 1893 as Minister of Agriculture in his cabinet. This office he held until the end of Cleveland's term of office on March 5, 1897. During his time as Minister of Agriculture, he improved the coordination between the Ministry and the farmers and helped the President in the establishment of nature reserves, especially in forest areas.

Another Journey

In 1897, Morton began working on a multi-volume history book about Nebraska. In addition, he edited a weekly newspaper named " The Conservationist ". Julius Morton died in April 1902. His estate in Nebraska City is now part of a state park.