Morton Brandon King (September 8, 1887-December 1, 1962)

Morton Brandon King with Webb School
 classmates Andrew J. Zeitler
and Charlie Tillett

As time fades, I've learned to value what I have without reflecting on what I don't! The easiest party anyone can attend is the party given to us by ourselves, and it is a pity party. I can't even contemplate the countless hours I've wasted planning my own. Unfortunately, though, I am not alone. It seems everywhere that I turn, I am faced these days with someone wanting more and pouting selfishly for not having it. But the world is grander than what surrounds us, and so are its problems. While some sulk over not having a larger kitchen or a closet that fits their vast wardrobe, others are left fretting over cancer and affording the medications to overcome it. As the "woke" world debates over what pronoun to refer to people in the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community, others in less woke countries have to worry about being killed for their sexual preferences. Ridiculously, some hold endless grudges over trivial commentary, while some face real threats, job losses, and persecution. Sadly, even long after I am gone, none of it will ever change. Because truthfully, most people in the world lack the capacity to look beyond their problems to understand someone else's. However, one thing is undoubtedly true. No matter how large your perceived woes seem to be, there will always exist someone else with a more complex or emotionally scarring one! This week's tragedy in Afghanistan and last week's earthquake in Haiti are positive proof that the world's problems are far more complex than the trivialities we cling to and embrace as if they were our security blanket. Too often in current times, people consciously choose to be a victim to have something to help them define themselves because they have no other accomplishments to elucidate who they are as individuals. Some destinies create losers because they have chosen that role for themselves. While others, regardless of their trials and tribulations, press forward and move on. It's as if they have no other option. And such is the case of my distant cousin, Morton Brandon King! 

The tragic childhood of Morton Brandon King began on September 8, 1887, in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, the day of his birth (1-20). He was the second son of the three born to his prominent parents, Alice Shofner and Redden Dale King (1-3, 14-15, 23-24). Besides Morton, his parents had Hoyt Dale (March 11, 1885-March 18, 1902) and Douglas King (May 27, 1892-October 6, 1896) (21-25). Morton's father supported his family as a respected Judge within his community (27). Sadly, though, at eight, on July 4, 1895, Morton experiences his first tragedy when his dad suddenly suffers from apoplexy and dies (24, 27). A year later, on October 6, 1896, Morton faces heartache again when his little brother, Douglas, unexpectedly dies too (19-21). And then again, on March 18, 1902, Morton, unable to escape tragedy for the third time, faces the death of his older brother, Hoyt Dale, when he dies from the injuries he sustained while trying to jump on a train (22-24). By the time Morton reaches his fifteenth year, he has lost three significant people!  

Morton Brandon King 
Vanderbilt University Law Class

But regardless of the tragedies suffered, Morton doesn't permit his losses to determine his future. Perhaps being from a family of prominence and wealth, he understood there was no other alternative but to succeed. Presumably, Morton received his formative education at Webb School, a private college boarding preparatory school in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, since many of his family members attended there. Afterward, he attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated in 1908, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Law (28-30). While there, Morton became a track star, qualifying in the 230-yard dash at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association's annual track meet (29-31). Soon after graduation, Morton used his newly earned degree, serving as the Chief Clerk for Shelbyville, where he was quickly beginning to make a mark of his own in personal and professional circles (32). It also included opening a wholesale grocery store with various family members called the Bedford County Grocery Company (83-84).

Morton Brandon King, 1911, October 22,
 The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, page 6

With Morton's professional future secure, Morton was immediately ready to begin the second phase of his life. So, on November 22, 1911, in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, at the Methodist Episcopal Church, Morton married Margaret Moody (33-39). She was the daughter of Dr. George Wharton Moody and Georgia Etta Strong (33-39). With the church decorated lavishly in Ferns at eleven o'clock that morning, with her father escorting her into the arms of her awaiting groom, Margaret and Morton exchanged their vows (38). Carrying her bouquet of chatelain roses, lilies of the valley, and orchards with her fellow friends and members from the music study club singing Lohengrin's "Pilgrims Chorus," Margaret marched down the aisle to permanently meld her life into Morton's (38). The church was packed with their family and friends of A-listers, illustrating their prominence within the community (38). The only jewelry she wore was the diamond brooch that Morton had gifted her as a wedding present (38). 

With their honeymoon an extensive trip to the east behind them, the newlyweds returned to Bedford County to begin their new lives together. Three years later, on March 24, 1913, they welcomed their first son, Morton Brandon King, into their little family (41-47). And while Morton and Margaret peacefully were living and building their lives, the rest of the world went into chaos with the beginning of WWI on June 28, 1914 (56). But by 1917, the United States could no longer remain on the sidelines, and on April 6, the United States officially joined the war after seven U.S. merchant ships were sunk (56). It was an event that would profoundly touch Margaret and Morton's lives despite it being so many miles away. Because on September 4, 1917, Morton gets summoned by Uncle Sam to report to duty at Camp Gordon (46-52). So on April 25, 1918, aboard the Caronia ship, Morton sets sail to Brest, France, where he serves in the 82nd National Army (54-55). Morton remained there until February 12, 1919, when he began his return journey aboard the U.S.S. Rhode Island to sail the seas he had traveled nearly a year before (54-55). However, this time, peace had reached the world, and Morton was heading back to the United States (54-55). The "Great War" officially ended on November 11, 1918, allowing Seargent King to return home to the waiting arms of his wife, Margaret (46-56).

Morton Brandon King, 1919, July 8,
The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 7

With Margaret and Morton's reunification, efforts to expand their family resumed. A year later, on February 4, 1920, they welcomed a daughter, Mary Dale King, into the world. She was named aptly after Morton's father (58-68). Then, on August 12, 1922, they completed their family with the arrival of another son, George Moody King, named after Margaret's father (61-73). Besides adding to his family, Morton's attention also diverted to the re-pursuance of his career. With J.T. Lynn retiring as the Bedford County Clerk, Morton decidedly applied for his position (74). And luckily, he was selected instead of the other two applicants applying, C.D. Ingle and Joe D. Steele (74). But, he would have to win the citizens' votes in the next election held on July 8 to maintain his position. Fortunately, Morton did win that race, and he kept his job for eleven years, his career as Bedford County Clerk ending in September 1930 (28, 74-78). But besides becoming the new Bedford County Clerk, on June 30, 1920, Morton became a People's National Bank board member, elevating his professional and personal presence within his community even further (28).  

Morton Brandon King, 1930, March 13,
 Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 13

By the 1930s, Morton and Margaret had become notable fixtures within Bedford County. While Margaret attended social functions for the Daughters of the American Revolution and other committee events, Morton participated in the Shelbyville Rotary Club, Shelbyville American Legion, and Shriners' events (28, 79-80, 85). Morton also landed Adams and Raby, representing their company as their legal counsel (81). But in March 1932, Morton threw his hat into the political arena and ran for the State Senate as a Democratic representative (82). Unfortunately, though, Morton failed to secure the Democrat nomination. Then, in August 1933, he reasserted himself into the political arena by seeking a position as an alderman for the fourth ward of Shelbyville (86-88). In this campaign, he was successful (86-87).

Morton Brandon King, 1954, June 28,
 Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 14

As time faded with the invasion of gray hair, wrinkles, and the other signs of an aging couple creeping upon Morton and Margaret, they refused to stay idle. In November 1961, their grown children gathered with them to celebrate fifty years of their parent's marriage. Morton kept his days busy with the organization and then presidency of Butler's Creek Community Center, being chairman of the Bedford County Democratic Committee, and serving the Jenkins Chapel Lutheran Church as the treasurer and council member (28, 90-94). Like his cousin, Governor William Prentice Cooper, Morton advocated for soil conservation and spent time farming his 242 acres (95-96). He toiled his vast land with conservation principles, erecting fences and planting row crops on a contour (95-96). Morton's farming techniques were respectful of the land. In keeping with his conservation fundamentals, Morton constructed diversion terraces and allocated his rolling hills for small grain and pasture production (95-96). For those efforts, he won "Outstanding Cooperator" in June 1954 (95-96).

On December 18, 1962, the chapter of Morton Brandon King closed permanently. He died from a heart attack resulting from comorbidities of myocarditis, hypertension, emphysema, and bronchitis. As an occupation, his death certificate does not list all of the accolades he accomplished during his lifespan. It simply says that he was a farmer. He died in Shelbyville, the community he spent his entire life serving. On April 7, 1988, his beloved Margaret died after living twenty-six years without him. Both Morton and Margaret's internments are in Jenkins Chapel Cemetery in Shelbyville.   

Morton Brandon King, 1948, November 16,
Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, page 14

I'm not sure how Morton managed to walk away from his early childhood without any permanent emotional scars. Most children would find it hard to experience so much loss in a relatively short time, but somehow, Morton did. He persevered, and his life is a testimony of how to overcome profound losses. Society has grown accustomed to whimpering and whining over paltriness. People now believe that one's feelings are never to be wounded or their egos insulted. We used to define our petty hurts and humiliations as growing pains. Society now believes that the world must stop wiping away their tears and create yet another law to protect them from future harm. We must place everyone in a bubble. But the world does not operate in those terms. Our time on earth is to perform a function. And that function is to prepare us for another time in another realm. God desires us to experience loss and grief even though we want badly to avoid it. After all, how can we appreciate good without knowing evil? How can we know sorrow without knowing happiness? As I grow older, my patience has waned for those constantly throwing themselves pity parties. And yes, that includes patience for even myself. Unfortunately, far too many people face challenges extending beyond someone's immature pettiness and "hurt" feelings. Currently, there are some who desperately seek refuge and are trying to flee Afghanistan. A horrible debacle brought on by imposter Joe Biden's incompetency and failure as a human being. Perhaps if our military leaders had spent more time focusing on military strategies and less time on woke inclusion and systemic racism seminars, countless lives wouldn't be destined for death at the hands of the Taliban. Maybe instead of creating problems and controversies over mask vs. unmask or vaccine vs. non-vaccine and ignoring actual science proving their ineffectiveness, it's time for Americans to focus on real issues facing this world. Because, frankly, I'm getting tired of the petty problems we create! As the woke say, my give-a-damn is absolutely busted!

Pray for those Americans and our alliances trapped in Afghanistan!

ource References:

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33. Publication Date: 22/ Oct/ 1911; Publication Place: Nashville, Tennessee, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/118852293/?article=f69b47c0-fdf6-4b9b-be06-436d18168e0b&focus=0.15257242,0.14832851,0.2889594,0.19597459&xid=3398

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43. Census 1920: Resided in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA: George Moody 73, Georgia 58, Sam 35, Martha 29, Morton 32, Margaret 30, Morton 6

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61. Year: 1930; Census Place: Shelbyville, Bedford, Tennessee; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2341967

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63. 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.

64. 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

65. Year: 1940; Census Place: Bedford, Tennessee; Roll: m-t0627-03872; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 2-4

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67. 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.

68. Census 1940: Resided in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA: Morton B. 52, Margaret 50, Mary Dale 20, George Moody 17

69. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143806323/george-moody-king

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73. Original data: Voter Registration Lists, Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records, and Other Household Database Listings.

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75. “Much Interest Shown In Races In Bedford,” 1919, November 25, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 15.

76. “Candidates In Bedford,” 1919, October 26, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2

77. “Bedford County,” 1920, August 7, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2

78. “Vote In Bedford,” Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 7.

79. “Shelbyville Rotary Club Elects J.O. Fly,” 1930, April 27, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 32.

80. “Shelbyville and Winchester Behind League,” 1930, March 13, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 13.

81. “Adams & Raby,” 1934, January 30, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 8

82. “M.B. King of Bedford Enters For State Senate,” 1932, March 15, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 4.

83. “Store At Shelbyville,” 1917, November 12, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 38.

84. “Shelbyville To Have Wholesale Groceries,” 1912, December 11, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 13.

85. “Shelbyville Legionnaires Conduct Safety Company,” 1936, March 22, The Tennessean, Page 27.

86. “Interest Is Keen In Board Election,” 1935, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 13.

87. “Sims For Mayor,” 1935, July 12, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 9.

88. “Officials Picked At Shelbyville,” 1935, September 5, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 9.

89. “Golden Anniversary, 1961, November, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 18.

90. “From Bedford Poppy Sale Nets Auxiliary 600,” 1952, May 28, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2.

91. “Butler’s Creek Club,” 1955, November 8, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 4.

92. “Wiseman, Templeton, Declared Candidate By Primary Board,” 1957, April 7, The Rutherford Courier, Smyrna, Tennessee, Page 1.

93. “Notice of Primary Election,” 1957, March 10, The Rutherford Courier, Smyrna, Tennessee, Page 9.

94. “Democratic,” 1960, June 6, Johnson City, Johnson City, Tennessee, Page 1.

95. “Dairy Field Day,” 1953, June 2, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 19.

96. “Bedford Wins State’s Top Conservation Award,” 1954, June 28, Nashville Banner, Page 14.

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