Lake County Ohio GenWeb

George H. Morse

This biography is taken from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio, Embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake; Lewis Publishing Company, 1893.

Transcribed and submitted by Becky Falin, 1996.

George H. Morse, a member of the firm of Morse Brothers, stock farmers, manufacturers of hard-wood lumber and shingles, and dealers in agricultural implements and fertilizers, South Kirtland, Ohio, is one of the prominent and enterprising men of this vicinity. Following is a resume of his life:

George H Morse was born in Kirtland township, Lake county, Ohio, March 24, 1848, son of Harvey H Morse, who was born in Pittsfield, Washington county, Massachusetts, in 1805; and grandson of John Morse, also a native of Massachusetts. At an early period in the history of this country two families by the name of Morse came here from England, one being composed of three members and the other of four, and from these two families all the Morses in America are descended. John Morse, the grandfather of the subject, was a farmer by occupation and was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and also in the Revolution. During the latter war, however, he was sent home on account of old age. The gun he carried is now in the possession of George H Morse.

Harvey H Morse was one of a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. His older brother, Colonel John F Morse, located in Ohio in 1814, and became a prominent man in this State. He was Colonel of a company of militia. He and Mr. Townsend were the first two men to be elected to the House of Representatives on the Free Soil ticket. They held the balance of power and decided the election of Salmon P Chase. Harvey H. came to Ohio the year following his brother's arrival here, being at that time ten years of age, and in Kirtland he remained continuously with the exception of two or three years spent in Indiana. He was a carpenter by trade, and assisted in the erection of many buildings in this locality. He and his brother worked together in early life, contracting, etc., and frequently indulged in the sport of hunting. They were among the earliest settlers in this vicinity, and at that time the forest abounded in wild game of all kinds. He was Captain of a company of militia, and in politics was successively a Whig, Free-Soiler and Republican. He was appointed administrator or executor of many estates. He held various township offices, and was a man of prominence in the community where he lived, his opinion often being sought and always valued. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the Congregational Church, of which for many years he was the Treasurer. His wife's maiden name was Ann Holbrook. She was born in Derby, Connecticut, and died in Ohio in 1879. His death occurred here in 1886. They had four children, Belle G., John H., Fred H., and George H., all still living at the old homestead in Kirtland. John H. married Elizabeth Nichols, who died in 1879, leaving three children: George B., Laura E., and Fannie E. Fred H. married Janie Daggett, and they have four children: Frank, Mary E., Benjamin F., and Genette.

John H and Fred H. both rendered efficient service for the Union cause during the Civil War. They enlisted at the same time, in 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with their command to the front. John was discharged in July, 1863, on account of physical disability, and upon his recovery reentered the service. It was in March, 1864, that he re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company C, First Regiment of Light Artillery. He continued in the army until the war closed, being with Sherman and his forces in the South, and after the conflict was over participating in the grand review at Washington.

The three brothers J.H., F.H. and G.H. are in partnership in their various business operations. They have 265 acres of land which they utilize for general farming and stock purposes. They make a specialty of boarding and caring for horses during the winter, having horses sent to them from Cleveland for that purpose. Here they also have a mill and manufacture hardwood lumber and shingles. The past year they put into their yard about 300,000 feet of logs. They also handle fertilizers and agricultural implements. All three are enterprising business men, and are doing a rushing, rousing business.

Aside from his business affairs, George H. has found time to devote to political matters, in which he has taken an active interest for a number of years. He affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as delegate to various conventions, both county and State, and has filled a number of local offices, such as Assessor, Trustee, and Justice of the Peace. In the fall of 1890 he was elected County Commissioner, in which capacity he is still serving. During his term of office many substantial improvements have been made in the county, a county jail being now under process of construction. Mr. Morse is a member of the Knights of Pythias.