Biographical Sketch of

Samuel Morse

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou 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 742 - 743 


Samuel Morse, deceased, was among the honored pioneers of Green Lake County, and was one of its prominent citizens.  
He was born in Worcester County, Mass., Aug. 27, 1808, and is a son of Samuel and Deborah (Laughlin) Morse, both of 
whom were natives of Massachusetts.  When Samuel was but two years of age, the death of his father occurred and 
subsequently his mother became the wife of John Goodell, of Homer, N. Y., with whom he resided until the death 
of his mother, which occurred when he was about fifteen years of age.  An orphan, with no one to whom he might 
look for care and protection in that community, he then went to Massachusetts, living among his relatives in the 
old Bay State.  Knowing that to his own efforts he must look for means of sustenance, he learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed for some years.  At the age of eighteen, he returned to Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., and 
engaged in blacksmithing until 1846, when he determined to try his fortune in the West.  Some years previous he was 
married, and with his family he emigrated to Wisconsin, making the journey by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, 
where he procured a team to transport him and his effects to Cottage Grove, Dane County.  The succeeding three years 
of his life were passed in that locality where he worked at his trade.  He then came to Green Lake County.  Small 
indeed is the resemblance between its condition at that time and the present.  Not a building marked the site of 
the flourishing little city of Princeton, and the entire county was but sparsely settled by the white man, though 
Indians were still found in the neighborhood.  In the midst of that almost uninhabited region, Mr. Morse entered 
160 acres of Government land and began the development of a home for himself and family.  His first duty was to 
provide some means of shelter.  He built a little log cabin without doors or windows, into which the family moved 
and on its completion began the development of his land.  About a year passed in that manner, but in the meantime 
emigrants were rapidly settling in the surrounding country and Princeton began to take form.  Some of the citizens 
of that little village induced Mr. Morse to establish a blacksmith shop there, which he did, selling his farm and 
removing his family to the town.  He received a liberal share of the public patronage and continued to work at his 
trade until 1863, when he purchased 120 acres of partly improved land in the town of Princeton, and again turned 
his attention to farming.  Although he met with some reverses, success crowned his efforts in this direction and 
at the time of his death he was in comfortable circumstances.  His farm was well kept and its highly cultivated 
fields and neat and orderly surroundings indicated the thrift and enterprise of the owner.  He also raised a good 
grade of stock of all kinds and had all the necessary barns, outbuildings and other improvements.
 
When twenty-one years of age he was united in marriage with Mary Lamb, who was a native of the Empire State.  Her 
death occurred at Hamilton, N. Y., one year after her marriage, leaving an infant daughter, Lydia, who grew to 
womanhood and became the wife of Davis Johnson, of Hamilton, N. Y., who died several years ago.  Her death occurred 
in 1882.  On the 11th of October, 1838, at Madison, N. Y., Mr. Morse led to the marriage altar Miss Caroline Ferguson, 
a native of Madison County, N. Y., and they became parents of nine children.  Eugene their first born, is now deceased; 
Elmer is living in Princeton, Wis.; Ellis is deceased; Emery is now a resident of Nashua, Iowa; Jerome is in Ripon; 
Charles is located in Winfred, Dak., Frank is farming in Princeton; Silas is living on the old homestead; and Everett 
is in Milford, Iowa.
 
Mr. Morse was called to his final rest on the 21st of August, 1889.  Forty years had passed since he settled in the 
county and during that time by his upright life he won the confidence of all with whom he came in contact.  He shared 
in the trials and hardships of pioneer life but bore all uncomplainingly for the sake of his family, whom he wished 
to provide with a comfortable home.  Industry and honesty were marked characteristics of the man and were no doubt 
important factors in his success.  Mrs. Morse still survives her husband and resides with her son Silas who has charge 
of the home farm.  He resided with his parents until the death of his father, since which time he has had charge of 
all business affairs.  He was married on the 15th of May, 1880, to Frances Countryman and their union has been blessed 
with three children, namely:  Madge, Thomas and Mace.
 
 





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