Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he worked for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, attaining the post of general freight agent. He eventually rose to become president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Noted for his merits in business, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of the US Navy in 1904. In February 1905, the Interstate Commerce Commission asked the Justice Department to investigate charges that Morton acted illegally while head of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. The charges never resulted in a prosecution, however Morton resigned quietly on July 1, 1905. He later saved face by becoming vice chairman of the Moody Commission to reorganize the US Navy in 1909. He died at age 53 in New York City. He also was the son of Julius Sterling Morton, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland, cousin of Levi P. Morton, Vice President to President Benjamin Harrison and brother of Joy Morton, who was the founder of the Morton Salt Company.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he worked for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, attaining the post of general freight agent. He eventually rose to become president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Noted for his merits in business, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of the US Navy in 1904. In February 1905, the Interstate Commerce Commission asked the Justice Department to investigate charges that Morton acted illegally while head of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. The charges never resulted in a prosecution, however Morton resigned quietly on July 1, 1905. He later saved face by becoming vice chairman of the Moody Commission to reorganize the US Navy in 1909. He died at age 53 in New York City. He also was the son of Julius Sterling Morton, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland, cousin of Levi P. Morton, Vice President to President Benjamin Harrison and brother of Joy Morton, who was the founder of the Morton Salt Company.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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