ENOCH G. MORSE
Enoch Gerrish Morse, farmer, Tremont, was born in Concord, N. H., Jan. 10, 1827, a son of Moses and Hannah (Smith) Morse. The father was born in Boscawen. N. H., July
28. 1794, and died in 1873; the mother, in Canterbury, N. H., in 1796, and died August 21, 1879.
The history of the Morse family in America begins with the advent of Anthony Morse, who was born in Marlbury, Wiltsshire, Eng., May 9, 1606, and settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1635. His son, Joshua, was born July 24, 1653, and died March 28, 1691. Ruthman, son of Joshua, was born April 16, I688, and his son, Moses, February 19, 1715. Ezekiel, son of Moses, was born October 24, 1760, and settled in Boscawen, N. H., where he died Jan. 27, 1806. His son, Moses, was born July 28, 1794, in the same place, and there married Phoebe Colby. His second wife was Hannah Smith, and they removed to Illinois in 1835, making their home in Tazewell County.
Enoch Gerrish Morse is in the seventh generation of his family in America, and worthily bears a good old New England name. Brought into Illinois by his parents while yet a small lad, he acquired his education in the local schools, and early set himself to the task of founding a career in the new country. The only son in his father’s family, he resided on the old homestead in Elm Grove township until September, 1893. He then retired from the farm, and fixed his residence in Tremont. He now owns 160 acres of land in McLean county.
While at the Elm Grove homestead Mr. Morse served as Town Clerk for twelve years, for seven years was Commissioner of Highways, and for several years filled the office of Collector. His father and mother were members of the Congregational Church, and he follows in their steps. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Morse was married, October 22, 1856, in Elm Grove Township, to Miss Elizabeth Edes, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann (Albright) Edes, who was born in Pleasant Grove TownshIp, March 12, 1836. Her father was born in Maryland, and her mother in Maytown, Lancaster County, Pa. He died at the age of sixty three years, but she lived to be eighty. Her parents came to Illinois in 1835, settling in Elm Grove Township, the father working at wagon-making as well as farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Morse have been the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: Anna M., wife of Charles H. Fuller; Robert C., who married Marietta Lay; Lucy Smith, the wife of Edward Caldwell, and Marie Etta, who lives at home. Three of their children are dead: Georgine, who married Chris Nichols; Albert C., who died while a student at Champaign, Ill., and Adelaide, who passed away in her infancy.