SIMON CLATE MORTON, superintendent of the public schools of Pleasant Hill, is well known in this community both as an educator and also as a minister, having served as pastor of the Ludlow Christian Church from 1904 to 1908. His activities at present, however, are entirely centered in his educational work, for which he is well qualified, being a college graduate and holder of several degrees. He was born November 22, 1874, at Spencerville, Ohio, and is a son of William C. and Mary Ann (Evans) Morton.

The grandfather of Mr. Morton, Thomas Morton, was a resident of Allen County, Ohio, where he died in 1884, aged seventy-nine years. He married Mary Miller and they had three children, William C., Nancy, and Simon.

William C. Morton was born near Spencerville, Allen County, Ohio, October 19, 1849. He was a blacksmith at Spencerville for some years, later moved to Miami County, near Tippecanoe City, later bought forty acres of land on which he yet resides, in Staunton Township. He followed blacksmithing during the larger part of his active life, but now lives retired. In 1873 he was married to Mary Ann Evans, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Harter) Evans, and they had four, children, Simon Clate, Frank, Alma, and John. For a number of years Mr. Morton has been a deacon in the West Union Christian Church. He votes with the Republican party, but has never either sought nor accepted a political office.

Simon Clate Morton enjoyed the distinction of earning the first diploma ever issued in the public schools of Monroe Township, Miami County, after which he entered the High School at Tippecanoe City, Miami County, and following this course he taught school for two years in Union Township and then for six years was in the public schools of Monroe Township, three years of which he was superintendent of the township. During this period, on August 5, 1896, he was married to Miss Clara Bowman, a daughter of John and Amelia Bowman. To this marriage have been born eight children, namely: Edith, who is a student at Pleasant Hill; Miriam and Lorna, both of whom attend school; Amelia, Byron and Delmar, all at home; an infant son and an infant daughter, both of whom died at birth.

For five years following his marriage Mr. Morton resided on a small farm containing ten acres and then moved to Richmond, Indiana, in order to take a collegiate course at Earlham College, graduating in the class of 1903, with the degree of B.A. He then came to Pleasant Hill and took charge of the public schools at this place, finding his efforts highly appreciated. He is an earnest, thoughtful man, devoted to the work which he has made his life career, and the results of his care, management and influence can easily be seen in the high standard to which he has brought the schools of this place. In 1908 he received the Master's degree from his college, and a life certificate from the State Board of Examiners. Mr. Morton is widely known and his personal friends are numbered by the score.