Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - July 30, 1997
Respected local DVM dies at 83 in Missouri
by Lorri Nilles, Daily Freeman Journal Editor
COLUMBIA, Mo. — One of the best known faces on Hamilton County farms for a generation died Saturday in Columbia, Mo. Dr. John A. Morton, 83, was a partner for more than 40 years in the veterinary medical practice of Mickelson, Morton and Veach—three names that are now gone from the practice today known as Webster City Veterinary Clinic.
A native of Keensburg, Colo., Dr. Morton’s family was in the ranching business until moving to Eagle Grove when he was 11 years old. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1932 and attended junior college in that community before transferring to Iowa State University. Morton earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from ISU and started practicing in Webster City in 1938.
In a 1978 interview with the Daily Freeman-Journal’s Central Iowa Farm News, Morton joked, “If I would have known there were so many vets, I never would have stayed in Webster City.”
But in that same interview, he also looked back fondly at the people he got to know by caring for their animals.
“I have been very fortunate in being able to spend a long time in this community and doing the work I most enjoy,” he said.
Morton practiced veterinary medicine over a period of decades in which farming and livestock production changed greatly. In 1938 a large percentage of his practice came from cattle, including dairy cattle on most farms. By 1978, and more so today, the large animal practice has lessened and the small animal practice has grown considerably.
“Pets have become a part of the family companionship for the kids as well as the elderly,” Morton said in that interview. He also made an observation that’s long been true about many farmers: “There are still some farmers who take better care of their hogs and cattle than they do themselves.”
Morton was an active man in the community and served as a Hamilton County Fair Board member and fair veterinarian for 30 years.’'
His children all followed him in the medical field, although choosing specialties far different from veterinary medicine. His daughter became a registered nurse, while one son became a medical doctor and another son became a pharmacist.
Dr. Morton retired from the practice in the early 1980s and moved to Columbia, Mo., in 1991.
The body has been donated to the University of Missouri at Columbia and no services are planned at this time.
OBITUARY
John Morton, 83, Missouri
Dr. John Morton, 83, Columbia, Mo., died Saturday, July 26, 1997 at South Hampton Place, Columbia, Mo.
John A. Morton, son of Charles A. and Bertha (Fatland) Morton, was born July 22, 1914 in Keensburg, Colo. He graduated from Iowa State University with a doctor of veterinary medical degree and began his veterinary practice in Webster City on June 1, 1938. On July 3, 1941 he married Marie W. Warneke. He entered the US Army in 1942 and served for three years with the Veterinary Corps in India. After his discharge he resumed his practice in Webster City for 40 years. Dr. Morton moved to Columbia, Mo., in 1991.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Dan C. Morton, Amarillo, Texas, and John A. Morton, Des Moines; a daughter, Kathleen J. Morton, Harrisburg, Mo.; a brother, Harold Morton, Lake Forrest, Calif.; and six grandchildren.
Dr. Morton was the Hamilton County Fair Veterinarian and a fair board member for 30 years. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer City, in care of Parker Funeral Service, P.O. Box 1251, Columbia, Mo., 65205.
