In 1880, they lived in Mound Valley, Labette, Kansas. They were both 30; he was a farmer. Clifford, 10, and Elmer, 5, were born in Indiana. Mary, three months, was born in Kansas. His brother Grafton, 25, and sister Bell, 14, also lived with them.

In 1900, they lived in Kittitas with three children. William was 51 and Martha 52, and they had been married 30 years. Six of their nine children survived. William was a farmer. Elmer was 22, Callie 13, and William 11. Several Morrisons lived nearby, including Caddy, William, Oscar, and Allie D.