February 18, 1970

Stratford Lee Morton, civic leader and an insurance executive here for 62 years, died early today at his home, 6 Brentmoor Park, Clayton. He was 82 years old and had undergone an operation last December, the second in 18 months.

Despite failing health, Mr. Morton remained active as an agent emeritus for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. until Dec. 1. He maintained offices at 314 North Broadway. He retired as general agent for the company when he reached the age of 65.

Mr. Morton was born in Dixon, Ill., and came to St. Louis in 1902. He traveled extensively and became an avid collector of antiques and early Americana. A country home near Gray Summit, filled with historical items, is to be turned over to the Missouri state park system, a family spokesman said.

For many years Mr. Morton was active in the development of the Academy of Sciences of St. Louis. His efforts were credited in large measure with developing the academy’s Museum of Science and Natural History, new in Knoll Park, Clayton. He was academy president for 20 years.

Mr. Morton gave the Western Historical Manuscript Collection of the University of Missouri his collection of papers complied while a delegate to the Missouri Constitutional Convention. He donated a collection of rare books to Washington University.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Elise Bachmann Morton; a daughter, Mrs. Katharine Morton Dick; three sisters, Mrs. Arthur Anderson, Mrs. Raymond J. Wiese and Mrs. Elizabeth Morton Stehlin, and a brother, Robert Lee Morton Jr. A son, Stratford Lee Morton Jr., was killed in 1941 when a military pilot.