J. D. Morley, a Butler county pioneer and prominent farmer and stockman, of El Dorado township, is a native of New York. He was born in Wayne county, in 1845, and is a son of Oliver and Laura (Fassett) Morley, the former a native of Boston, Mass., and the latter of Jefferson county, New York, and both descendants of old American families. The father came with his parents from Massachusetts to New York when he was a child. The parents of J. D. Morley both spent their lives in New York State.

J. D. Morley was reared in the State of New York and received a good common school education. In 1870 he came west, as he beleived[sic] there were better opportunities for a young man in a new and undeveloped country. After coming to Kansas, he spent about two years in

Greenwood county when he returned to New York State and remained there until 1876. Like many others in the early days, he had seen Kansas and had breathed its pure free air, and was unable to remain away from the State of opportunity. Accordingly, in 1876, he returned to this State, this time settling in Butler county. He bought 160 acres of land in El Dorado township, and has added to his original holdings and now owns 480 acres which constitutes one of the valuable farms of Butler county. His place is located a few miles north of El Dorado, which is one of the ideal spots of the county. Since coming to Kansas and locating here Mr. Morley has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising and is one of the representative and substantial men of Butler county.

Mr. Morley was married in 1878, to Miss Fannie Dix, of Butler county, and they have two children: Oliver, who is associated with his father on the farm, is married and lives in a commodious modern residence across the road from the old home; and Laura Eugenia resides at home.

During his many years of residence in Butler county, Mr. Morley has become widely and favorably known and has many friends. He belongs to that genial, wholesouled type of men who not only make friends but keep them.

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