Biographical Sketch of

Charles L. Morse

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 528 and 529

BRADLEY, COLBY, DAVID, DAVIS, DENT, LINDEKUGEL, MORSE, PATTERSON, SKINNER

Charles L. Morse, a prosperous farmer and teacher residing in section 5 
in the town of Saxeville, Waushara County, was born in Hayfield, Crawford 
County, Pennsylvania on Dec. 27, 1851. He is of English extraction, and 
traces his ancestry back to the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers from the 
Mayflower at Plymouth Rock in 1620. His great-grandfather, Timothy Morse, 
was the first male settler on Cooper's Patent, N. Y., known as Brier Hill,
and was among those who fought for American independence. The grandfather 
of our subject was a native of New York, born on Cooper's Patent, being 
the first male child born there, and married Triphena Bradley, who was 
born in Otsego county, of the same state. Samuel David, his maternal 
grandfather, was born in Vermont, and wedded Sarah Colby, a native of New 
Hampshire. They came to Waushara county at a very early day, and settled 
in the town of Saxeville, where the husband died at the age of eighty-six 
years and his wife when sixty-five years of age.

The parents of our subject are Erastus W. and Lucy (Davis) Morse. The 
former was born in the Empire State March 28, 1821, and there grew to 
manhood. Accompanied by his family, he emigrated to Waushara County in 
1854, and cast his lot with the early settlers of the town of Saxeville, 
where he purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land from the 
Government, situated on section 11.  Building a little home, he there 
began life in true pioneer style, sharing in the toils and hardships 
incident to the settlement of a new country. In 1869, he removed to 
section 26, in the same town, and purchased eighty acres of land, upon 
which he has since made his home with the exception of two years, when 
he ran a stage from Berlin to Waupaca. In the farming operations he has 
been quite successful, and is accounted one of the leading citizens of 
the community. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morse, namely: 
Charles L.; Florence, who became the wife of Fred Lindekugel, a merchant 
of Manawa, Waupaca county; and Ella, wife of John Dent, a farmer.

Charles L. Morse remained at home until thirty-one years of age, 
assisting his father in the care and cultivation of the farm until 1882, 
when he purchased eighty acres of land on section 25, in the town of 
Saxeville, and began the development of a home for himself. His education 
was completed in the Pine River garded schools, and at the age of twenty 
he began teaching, which profession he followed for sixteen successive 
winters in the schools of Bloomfield and Saxeville townships. He gave the 
best of satisfaction, and found no trouble in obtaining posiitons.

A marriage ceremony performed on the 10th of April, 1882, united the 
destinies of Charles L. Morse and Miss Frances Skinner, of Waushara 
County, who is a daughter of Horace F. and Charlotte (Patterson) Skinner. 
Two children have been born of their union: Marium S., born March 22, 
1883; and Lucy Belle, born April 19, 1884.

In political sentiment Mr.Morse is a Republican, having voted that ticket
since attaining his majority. He held the office of Clerk of the town of 
Saxeville for nine years, and was one of the most faithful officials that 
ever served in that position. In 1877 he became a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, joining Pine River Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M., and was twice
elected to fill the chair of Worshipful Master, and was the second member 
of the lodge upon whom the third degree was conferred.






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