Anson H. Morey, one of the substantial farmers of Perry County, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, on January 6, 1833. His parents, Anson and Maria (Wooley) Morey, were both natives of New York, and were pioneers of the Western Reserve of Ohio.

In 1839, they came to Missouri and lived in Jefferson County, where the father worked in the lead mines to years, then going to St. Francois County and remaining until 1847, when he removed to Chester, Ill., and there passed the remainder of his life. They were the parents of five children, Ann, Nelson T., Anson H., Helen W., and Samuel. The oldest and youngest are dead.

In 1852, Anson H. went by the overland route to California, reaching his destination after a trip of eighty days. He was engaged in mining for about eight years, but not securing satisfactory results, he returned to Missouri, and in company with his eldest brother purchased a section of the fertile Bois Brule bottom lands.

At that time not a tree had been cut on the entire tract, but he went to work and soon erected a small log cabin, with a mud and stick chimney, and furnished it with the rude pole bedstead so common in an early day. Although his cabin was without a floor he felt so comfortably situated that he decided to secure a wife to share his home.

On July 7, 1865, he was united in marriage with Margaret Fenwick, who still lives to share his prosperity. They have a family of five children: Anson H., Moore S., Margaret A., James M., and Melissa R. They have also reared several of his brother�s orphan children, giving them a good home and providing for their education.

For a number of years Mr. Morey resided on the farm now occupied by Augustus Layton, of Saline Township, but the improvement of his bottom lands made his residence upon them a necessity and he removed to his present location in 1887. He was the principal mover in the organization of the school district in which he has served as director and clerk for several years.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.