Morton Brandon King (March 24, 1913)

Morton Brandon King

Often in life, we are embrangled with trivialities. I am frequently amazed at our willingness, as a society, to denigrate one another on social media simply because opinions differ. Amazingly, often as a bystander, I am dumbfounded by the illiteracy of both opponents whose narratives are formulated and presented from limited research, knowledge, and exposure of things outside of their nescient social realm. Shamefully, I also have partaken in such nonsensical wages of war on social media and inevitably concluded I have forfeited the ideals I have always found were true. First and foremost, you cannot change illiteracy. Your opponents must crave knowledge and truth as profoundly as you do. Secondly, you cannot alter someone's ideals when they are deep-rooted on false assumptions. Few are willing to discover the truth under the layers of false propagation. And lastly, you should always pick and choose your fights. Conflicts require a tremendous expenditure of negative energy, and would the conclusion lead to an alternate pragmatic ending? Trivialities are never poignant or positively pervasive. Sometimes, the battles are necessary and relative, requiring sacrifice, selflessness, and courage. The kind of fierce battles that few are willing to fight, but the types that my distant cousin, Dr. Morton Brandon King, was inclined to, despite the headlines defaming him, his lifelong achievements, and his moralities.  

Morton Brandon King

Dr. Morton Brandon King was welcomed into this world by his parents, Morton Brandon King, Sr., and Margaret Moody, on March 24, 1913, in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee (1-20). He was the oldest child of three born to the couple, and his siblings included Mary Dale (February 24, 1920) and George Moody (August 12, 1922). Morton spent his formative years growing up in Shelbyville, where his family roots dug deeply into its soil, and his parents were prominent members of society (1-20). To support his family, his dad, Morton Sr., a well-respected attorney, served as the County Clerk of Shelbyville and on the Board of Directors for the Peoples National Bank (21). Like many of his extended family members, Morton attended a private preparatory school, Webb School, in Bell Buckle, Tennessee (1-2). After graduating from Webb, Morton enrolled in Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he received his bachelor's in English in 1934 and his master's degree in Sociology in 1936 (1-2, 22-26). 

Morton Brandon King

While attending Vanderbilt, a passion for social activism ignited within Morton. Presumably, a spark would have always been there, though, as a descendant of a very political family that included senators, congress members, and governors. Seemingly, it would have been impossible to escape the rhetoric of politics at any family social function. And in likelihood, this was probably a persuasive influence on him and his joining an emerging group of like-minded thinkers at Vanderbilt who were social critics who resisted industrial capitalism (25-26). The Agrarians were students and professors who believed that industrialism eviscerated local cultures (27). They thought industrialism threatened organized religion and the arts, social characteristics, and labor of rural communities (27). However, it was a divided group and did not share a unified tone and platform,  and some of their members became criticized for seemingly wanting to hold onto the elite Southern slave-holding antebellum era (27). They believed some had a romantic notion of southern rural communities and that their resistance and ideals against the emerging consumer-driven mass culture were unrealistic (27). However, the Agrarian movement that lasted until post-World War II would eventually become a platform for today's conservatism and anti-liberal activism (27). It would ignite thought that leads to some of the most current profound Southern literary publications (27). Fortunately, Morton's writings would eventually become listed among them (26-27). 

Morton Brandon King, Jr. 1936, June 7,
Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 6

Besides committing himself to the Agrarians, Morton held memberships in several other clubs, including the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Betta Kappa, and Alpha Kappa Delta fraternities (26). All were fraternities promoting and advocating excellence in education, which eluded to his character (26). Morton was devoted to his Methodist ideologies and became an activist in the Student Christian Movement on his campus, which pushed toward greater racial equality (26). Ironically, these ideologies would have collided with his great-great-grandfather, Major Absalom Lowe Landis, a slave and plantation owner in Bedford County, Tennessee (28).  

After graduation, which was during the Depression era, as expected, Morton entered the work arena (26). As a person whose passion was social equality, Morton became a social worker for the Davidson County Tennessee Welfare Commission (26). Earning a Julius Rosenwald Fund fellowship scholastic award for fifteen hundred dollars for his field studies in rural sociology, Morton continued his education under the auspices of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving his Ph.D. in Sociology in 1940 (26-30, 32). Being honored with a fellowship award by the Julius Rosenwald Fund was a high accolade for Morton since the philanthropic group promoted the overall "well-being of mankind" and focused on the social issues and education of African Americans, all matters equally concerning to Morton (26, 29). It also often provided funding towards various African-American religious sectors and schools, including six from the Nashville area in the same year Morton was awarded (26-30).

Morton's first collegiate employment began with the University of Mississippi as an Assistant Professor of Sociology, where he taught briefly between 1939 and 1940 (26, 31). While there, Morton played a pivotal role in implementing Religious Emphasis Week, which permitted religious emphasis discussions throughout the campus in variable formats, including but not limited to class lectures, group discussions in resident halls, and faculty luncheons (26-31). But after two years, in January 1941, Morton resigned from the University of Mississippi and accepted a position at Mississippi State University as an Associate Professor of Sociology (26, 32). While there, in 1943, Morton published his first study, The Social Effects of Government Land Purchase (26). But, on June 24, 1943, Morton's career was abruptly halted when the United States Army beckoned him to the call of duty during World War II (26, 32-36). Not someone to avoid the honor of serving his country, Morton reported to Camp Shelby military base as a private until receiving a promotion to 2nd Lieutenant (26, 32-36). Fortunately, though, Morton isn't forced to spend his military career on the battlefield and instead can honorably serve his country as a Classification Specialist (26, 32-36).

After Morton's service in the military, Morton returned to the University of Mississippi, but this time, he served as the department head of the Sociology department (26, 32). While there, Morton published the studies Mississippi's People (1950-1955), Mississippi's Life Table (1950-1951), and By Sex Race and Residence (1954) (26, 33-41). But in 1956, Morton faced a moral dilemma that threatened his reputation and tenure with the University (26, 32). Ironically, it began with an invitation for Religious Emphasis Week when Chancellor J.D. Williams invited a notable Episcopalian priest and jazz musician, Reverend Alvin Kershaw, from Ohio to orate on the subject of jazz, an area to which he was considered an expert (26, 42-45). In the meantime, Reverend Kershaw decidedly becomes a contestant on a television quiz show, "The $64,000 Question (26, 42-45)." His vast knowledge of jazz helped him win $32,000 on the program (26, 42-45). In a post-interview, Reverend Kershaw had alluded to the interviewer that he was considering donating a share of his winnings to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which vigorously campaigned against segregation (26, 42-45). His statement became a firestorm of criticism since the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, Supreme Court's decision outlawed segregated public education facilities for blacks and whites at the state level (26, 42-45). When Chancellor Williams heard about the controversial statement, he uninvited the Reverend and canceled his scheduled visit to the University of Mississippi. Morton was disenchanted and disillusioned over the University and Chancellor's decision, resigning from his position, afterward facing a firestorm of criticism, including a headline stating, "A Peevish Professor Quits His Job (26, 42-45)." Morton's words that the administration of "Ole Miss" was "no longer able to defend the freedom of thought, inquiry, and speech, which are essential for higher education to flourish" were only mocked in the media (26, 42-45). It takes two years afterward before Morton can find another position and gainful employment, as his reputation is temporarily marred (26, 42-45).  

Morton Brandon King

Sustaining his professional exile, Morton eventually received a one-year appointment with the Southern Methodist University. In 1957, Morton found employment with Northwestern University. However, it was a brief assignment serving only as a visiting professor of Sociology (26). But in 1958, Southern Methodist University finally offered him an opportunity for permanent employment placement as a tenured track professor in Sociology (26, 46). It is there where he remains until his retirement as a professor emeritus in 1979 (26). An honor bestowed on him, evidencing that he had overcome his previous years of professional banishment. Before retiring, Morton served as chairman of Sociology from 1961-1964 and then as acting chairman from 1970-1972. While at Southern Methodist University, Morton published two more studies, Dallas Population Handbook 1960 (1962) and Measuring Religious Dimensions: Studies of Congregational Involvement (1972).

Joan Smith

By the 1960s, Morton's professional life finally began steering again on the right course. However, he had yet to find a soulmate and someone to help him celebrate his accomplishments. But in 1965, Morton, at last, at the age of 52, met the woman he would want to marry (47-48). A widow, Joan Smith, was Morton's equal in nearly every way (47-48). Born in Dallas, Texas, to Hoke Smith and Ida Brinkley on December 20, 1922, the divorcee would make Morton a step-father to two sons, Lawrence S. and Richard H. Smith (47-48). Like Morton, Joan was highly educated and had received her master's degree from the University of Texas, majoring in Psychology (47-48). Accomplished in her field of study, Joan was the Dean of Women for Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, between 1955 and 1958 until deciding to transfer to Southern Methodist University, where she became the Director of Housing in 1959 (47-48). Presumably, that is where their life-long love affair began.  

After retiring, Joan and Morton relocated again to Georgetown, Texas, to be closer to their families (47-48). However, they were far from idle and emerged into their new community. Together, they would serve on several boards, including Georgetown Heritage Society, Georgetown Public Library, Stonehaven Center, and Caring Place (1). While Joan started the Georgetown Tourist Center, Morton continued with his research writings and publications, publishing Witnesses: United Methodist Clergywomen (1980), Clergywomen-Problems and Satisfactions (1985), and Sheltered By God's Love: 52 Bible Lessons for Senior Adult (1997) (26). Besides writing books and publishing his research, Morton wrote poetry and devotionals for Wesleyan Homes, a senior adult community. Morton's faith was strong, and he and his wife remained active in their church, First Methodist Church, and later, Grace Episcopal Church. Morton died on March 14, 2014, after living a life devoted to his faith and family. But as evidenced by his 1967 publication, Journal For Scientific Study of Religion, Morton was never afraid of challenging his belief systems (49). Morton's internment is in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas (8, 50-52). Joan's internment is beside Morton's (53). She died on October 29, 2019 (53). 

When I researched Morton's story, I initially struggled to understand his professional plight. After all, it seemed incredible that someone would be uninvited to speak at a university simply because an Episcopal priest had wanted to donate to the NAACP. I scoured the internet for something more, assuming the story was incomplete because I couldn't believe that was the specific reason for the Chancellor's decision. But in order for me to understand it, I had to understand the times in which they were all living. It wasn't until nearly a decade later that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 demanded complete desegregation, which threatened the ideologies of white culture. The school's alumni heavily influenced the Chancellor's decision by threatening to withdraw their financial support. The University struggled between losing its financial support and its intellectual integrity. The opposition was massive and included protesters from variable levels. State Representative James A. Morrow led the protest against Reverend Kershaw, stating, "I do and will continue to believe in segregation no matter what my religion or any preacher may say to the contrary." He was one voice among many who believed that segregation invited the amalgamation of the races and that this was against the will of God.

It is impossible to accurately and adequately relay the life of Morton Brandon King or this small part of our history in some small, irrelevant blog. For anyone who still argues that racism continues to exist, as it did in our past, I think it's important to consider various factors. Dr. Morton Brandon King was the great-great-grandson of a plantation slave owner. His wasn't the only voice, but it was one included in the sea of voices that wanted to discontinue racial segregation. Morton chose to take a stand and fight for his beliefs despite those viewpoints opposing his grandfather's and his grandfather's culture that groomed the opinions he held. Yet still, he was willing to jeopardize himself both personally and professionally. Solo voices do matter, and when combined with others, can influence outcomes positively. William Faulkner stated, "To live anywhere in the world of A.D. 1955 and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow." In 1955, those words were controversial. Today, they are words that nearly everyone concurs. In today's world, Dr. King would benefit from social media to shout his opposing views on a cause that mattered! Hopefully, others will consider his story, America's evolution, and the resources that are now available to stand up and oppose injustice. And hopefully, when the fight is worth the defending, it is argued with facts, intelligence, and passion for a purposeful cause. Unfortunately, it is something that rarely occurs anymore!

Genealogy:

References:

1. https://www.gabrielsfuneral.com/obituary/5382976
2. The Gabriels Funeral Chapel and Crematory; Publication Place: Georgetown, TX, US
3. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/202624431/margaret-king
4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/202624175/morton-brandon-king
5. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143806323/george-moody-king
6. Ancestry.com. U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
7. Original data: Voter Registration Lists, Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records, and Other Household Database Listings.
8. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107055865/morton-brandon-king
9. Year: 1930; Census Place: Shelbyville, Bedford, Tennessee; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2341967
10. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
11. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
12. Census 1930: Resided in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA: Morton B. 42, Margaret M. 40, Morton B. 17, Mary D. 10, George M. 7, George W. Moody 82
13. Year: 1940; Census Place: Bedford, Tennessee; Roll: m-t0627-03872; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 2-4
14. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
15. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
16. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011
17. Year: 1920; Census Place: Shelbyville, Bedford, Tennessee; Roll: T625_1728; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 11
18. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
19. Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 are on roll 323 (Chicago City).
20. Census 1920: Resided in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA: George Moody 73, Georgia 58, Sam 35, Martha 29, Morton 32, Margaret 30, Morton 6
21. “Rites At Shelbyville,” 1962, December 19, Nashville Banner, Shelbyville, Tennessee, Page 4.
22. "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Vanderbilt University; Year: 1934, Page 37.
23. Ancestry.com. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1999 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
24. “250 To Graduate From Six Schools On Vandy Campus-Baccalaureate Sermon Today Opens Three Day Service,” 1934, June 10, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1 and 6.
25. “Graduate List For Sixty-First Commencement At Vanderbilt,” 1936, June 7, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 6
26. https://libraries.olemiss.edu/cedar-archives/finding_aids/MUM00578.html
27. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrarianism
28. Ancestory.com/prior research
29. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosenwald_Fund
30. “8 Tennesseans Awarded 1938 Study Finds,” 1938, October 11, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 12.
31. “Dr. Paul Forman Is Returning To Ole Miss Faculty,” 1939, June 28, Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, Page 4.
32. “Knows What He Wants, Professor’s Father Says,” 1956, February 9, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 4.
33. National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 08293; Reel: 251
34. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2005.
35. Original data: National Archives and Records Administration. Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; ARC: 1263923. World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park. College Park, Maryland, U.S.A.
36. National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Mississippi, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 110
37. “Economic Picture Apt To Control Future Population Of Mississippi,” 1950, March 20, Enterprise Journal, McComb, Mississippi, Page 3.
38. “Study of Population of State Released,” 1950, March 16, Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, Page 17.
39. “Ole Miss Researches Get The Score On State, Local Institutions,” 1950, March 26, Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, Page 50
40. “Mississippi People-Migration To And From State Will Depend Upon Economy Study Shows,” 1950, March 15, The Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, Mississippi, Page 19.
41. “Life Expectancy Data Released On Mississippians,” 1954, November 18, Columbian-Progress, Columbia,, Mississippi, Page 13.
42. “Ole Miss Professor Quits Due To Speaker Incident,” 1956, February 8, Sun Herald, Biloxi, Mississippi, Page 1.
43. “Williams Lists Faculty Changes Board Accepts King’s Resignation,” 1956, February 22, Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, Page 15.
44. “Coleman Denies Charges Made By 2 Professors, 1956, February 14, Sun Herald, Biloxi, Mississippi, Page 1.
45. “Can’t Be Productive-Ole Miss Professor Resigns-Says Freedom Of Though Lost,” 1956, February 8, The Shreveport Journal, Shreveport, Louisiana, Page 9.
46. Ancestry.com. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1999 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
47. https://www.gabrielsfuneral.com/obituary/joan-king
48. Ancestry.com. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
49. “Religious Designation Is Almost Impossible,” 1967, October 15, Irving Daily News, Irving, Texas, page 3.
50. Death: Publication Date: 15/ Feb/ 2013; Publication Place: Georgetown, Texas, USA; URL: http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1969684&fh_id=11011&s_id=
51. Ancestry.com. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
52. The Gabriels Funeral Chapel and Crematory; Publication Place: Georgetown, TX, USA
53. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204320198/joan-king