JOHN LUKE MORTON 

The following bio was taken from page 322 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission. 

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster 

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas 

John Morton was born in Tennessee and came to Texas at an early age, settling in the northern part of Rusk County.  He married Saline Hicks on November 20, 1856.  They were the parents of the following children: John William, Mary, Virginia, Sarah, Joseph, Hubbard, George Winn, and James. 

John served in the Civil War with Ochiltree’s Regiment.  He was a farmer and an outstanding member of the Cross Roads Community.  In January 1899, he was on jury duty in Rusk County.  It was cold and raining.  John got soaking wet and chilled to the bones.  He developed pneumonia, was brought home, and died three days later.  Saline Morton joined John in death April 12, 1912.  They are buried in the Hickory Grove Cemetery near Kilgore, Texas. 

Submitted by Joan Morton Smith