My Genealogy Hound

HENRY W. MORSE was born in Richmond, Vermont, February 6, 1845, and is the son of Adam and Mary (Hunter) Morse, natives of Vermont. His father was engaged in mercantile and farming business until he moved to Stark county, Ill., in 1863, where he followed farming for several years. In 1880 he moved to Nebraska, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His faithful wife, however, died in 1877. Both were active members of the Baptist church. H. W. Morse, when a lad of sixteen, found employment in a woolen factory in Winooski, Vermont, where he worked until soon after the war broke out. In July, 1862, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-second regiment. New York volunteers, and served with credit to his country for three years. He participated in the engagements at Cold Harbor, Fort Darling, Petersburg and Chapin’s farm, under the command of the invincible Ben. Butler. He also followed the brilliant Gen. Terry through North Carolina and Smithville, where he was discharged June 15, 1865. He returned to New York, but soon departed for the prairies of Illinois. In 1866 he entered the Cherokee Nation with a large number of cattle. The year 1867 found him back in Illinois again, where he spent two years. In 1870 he went to Dallas county, Iowa, and from there to Stewart, where he conducted a meat market for some time. In 1872 he landed in Gibbon, Buffalo county, Nebr., where he resided four years, after which he spent two years in Wyoming Territory, in charge of a gang of railroad men. When he first came to Buffalo county he took a timber claim, which he proved up several years afterwards, receiving patent No. 2, signed by President Chester A. Arthur.

Henry W. Morse was married on Christmas day, 1872, to Miss Ida, daughter of Lewis and Mary (Diamond) Throop. She was born in Illinois, May 21, 1855. Her father was a New Yorker by birth and her mother was born in England. Four children were born of this union — Willie A., born August 28, 1875; Arthur, born November 28, 1878; Lillian, born November 28, 1880; and May Jane, born March 21, 1883. Mr. Morse is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Center township, Buffalo county, making a specialty of hogs and cattle. He is a republican in politics and has held various local offices. He is, besides, a member of the Masonic order. Odd Fellows’ society, G. A. R. and A. O. U. W.