Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

J. Sterling Morton

Founder of Arbor Day

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou

1. J. Sterling Morton Marker

Inscription. From Vermont and Connecticut ancestors of J. Sterling Morton migrated to Adams, N.Y., where he was born April 22, 1832. Two years later the Morton family chose Monroe as the city with the best prospects in the West. Sterling's father, Julius Dewey Morton, prospered in a mercantile business founded on Monroe's active port.

Young Morton grew up in Monroe and Detroit newspaper offices. Later he homesteaded in Nebraska, founded the Nebraska City News, became a territorial legislator and secretary and fought politically and editorially on the minority side as a conservative, sound money Democrat.

In 1893 Grover Cleveland named him Secretary of Agriculture. In 1872 he founded Arbor Day, the only national holiday initiated by one man, now celebrated on his birthday in most states and often heralded as the beginning of the conservation movement.

His son, Paul served as Secretary of the Navy in Theodore Roosevelt's Cabinet.

Two other sons, Joy and Mark, founded the Morton Salt Co. His fourth son, Carl, founded the Argo Starch Co.

Erected by Monroe County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1832.

Location. 41° 54.708′

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N, 83° 23.994′ W. Marker is in Monroe, Michigan, in Monroe County. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street and East 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 426 Washington St, Monroe MI 48161, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trinity Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); Michigan's Tribute to Kentucky (about 800 feet away); Memorial Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boy Scouts in Monroe County / The Armory Opera House (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Paul's United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boyd School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.

Also see . . . J. Sterling Morton: Founder of Arbor Day. Excerpt:

In 1872 the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture adopted Morton’s resolution to create Arbor Day, a day set aside to plant trees. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for planting properly the largest number of trees on that day.

(Submitted on April 15, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 14, 2021

2. J. Sterling Morton Marker

Monroe Middle School in background

Arbor Day Stamp image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, 2021

3. Arbor Day Stamp

Arbor Day commemorative stamp issued to coincide with the 100th anniversary of J. Sterling Morton's birth

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.