Biography of George Franklin Morley Sr.
By His Daughter Vera Morley Ipson
Isaac and Cynthia Abiah Bradley Morley Jr. emigrated to Utah from Missouri with the early LDS pioneers and were with the first settlers in 1849 at Manti, Sanpete, Utah.
First born son of these two and eldest child was George Franklin Morley Sr. born on 30 Sep 1852. One of the first white children born in that town and county. He is a grandson of LDS Patriarch Isaac Morley Sr. There are 14 brothers and sisters and seven half brothers and sisters. They are Thomas Jefferson Morley Sr., Betsy Abiah, Lucy Amanda, Theresa Arathusa, Lena Margretta, Arletta, Isaac, Amaryllis, Daniel Henrie, Evelyn, William Alfred, Heber Chase, Ann Mary, and Jerome Bonaparte.
His half brothers and sisters are Mary Jane, Allen Amasa, William Alonzo, Calista Cordelia, Alzada Ann, Chelnishia, and John Isaac.
He later with his parents moved to Moroni, Sanpete, Utah. He was large of stature, corpulent, weighing over 200 pounds, medium complexion. His trade being carpenter. He was successful as gardener and farmer. Always arose at down to read a passage of scripture or some interesting article to brighten his intellect and broaden his vocabulary.
He had a great desire to gain knowledge, both spiritual and temporal. He was successful as a musician, enjoyed playing the violin and being chorister for many years, also played in a band when young. He served two terms as county commissioner of Sanpete County, and was city Marshall for many years.
In 1880 he pioneered the settlement of Orangeville, Emery, Utah, where their fourth child, James Orlando was born in a dugout.
He was president of the LDS Elders Quorum and one of the presidents of LDS seventies. Friday 7 Apr 1893 he and eldest daughter Editha Ann attended dedication services of the Salt Lake Temple, dedicated by LDS President Wilford Woodruff.
In 1898 he pioneered the settlement of Georgetown, near Ely, White Pine, Nevada. He acted as presiding elder of that branch of the LDS Church until the fall of 1901, when a LDS ward was organized and he was chosen bishop. He acted in that capacity until 1907, when he moved to Preston, White Pine, Nevada, where he spent the remaining years of his life.
January 10, 1915 he died of a heart ailment. He was a LDS high priest and held the offices of LDS ward chorister, LDS ward teacher, LDS teacher of the high priests class, and teacher in LDS Sunday School. A good citizen and a faithful Latter-day Saint, having filled many positions of trust and honor.
He was survived by his wife Sarah Ann Blackham Morley, whom he married 5 May 1873 at Salt Lake City, Utah. She following him one year later, 20 Dec 1916. Funeral services and burial in Preston, White Pine, Nevada.