Quin Morton was a prominent figure in the early 20th-century coal industry in West Virginia. In 1919, he co-founded the Imperial Smokeless Coal Company alongside Walter Seal Wood. Their partnership led to the establishment of the town of Quinwood, named by combining their surnames—”Quin” from Morton and “Wood” from his partner.
Under Morton’s leadership, Imperial Smokeless began operations in 1920, opening its first mine in Quinwood. The company expanded its mining activities in the mid-1940s by opening the Quinwood No. 2 and No. 3 mines in neighboring Nicholas County. These mines tapped into the Sewell coal seam, known for its high-grade smokeless coal.
Morton’s tenure with Imperial Smokeless was marked by significant growth and development. However, in 1940, he sold his interest in the company to the Vera Pocahontas Coal Company of Welch, West Virginia. The company changed hands again in 1947 when it was acquired by the Sprague family of Massachusetts, who were involved in the fuel wholesale business. Eventually, in 1969, the company was sold to Westmoreland Coal Company and merged into Westmoreland as a division in 1971. snaccooperative.org
Today, Morton’s legacy endures in the town of Quinwood, which stands as a testament to his contributions to the coal industry and the communities built around it.