Morse, Agnes E 1861-1930

MORSE, COLE, RUSSELL, SOETH

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 6/2/2016 at 11:15:04

March 20, 1930 - Storm Lake Register - Mrs A.F. Morse beloved resident of Storm Lake and Buena Vista county for forty-five years, died suddenly at her home, 117 Oneida street Monday morning of this week at about 8:30 o'clock at the age of 69 years.

Although Mrs. Morse had not been in the best of health for some time she was not serlously ill and her sudden and unexpected death came as a shock to her relatives and hosts of friends.

Agnes E Cole, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Russell) Cole was born at Manhattan, Illinois March 31st, 1861 and grew to
young womanhood and attended the schools at that place. She specialized in music taking an advanced course at Joliet, Illinois after which she taught music at Manhattan and later at Newell.

The maternal grandfather of Mrs Morse was Michael Russell, native of Herefordshire, England where he owned a vast timber tract on which he employed a large number of men. When well advanced in years he came to America and made his home with his daughter in Will county, Illinois where he died at the remarkable old age of 109 years.

She was married at Manhattan, Illinois March 19, 1879 to A.F. Morse, the Rev O.F. Morse, an uncle of the bridegroom officiating. Following their marriage Mr and Mrs Morse lived on a farm in Will county, Illinois for several years coming to Buena Vista county in 1885, where they located on a farm which Mr Morse had purchased in Coon township, where they lived for several years.

After selling their farm they moved to Newell, where Mr. Morse was employed by John Forbes & Co., and later with Hoyne & Ervin. In 1906 Mr. Morse was appointed postmaster at Newell by President Roosevelt and served for eight years. During that time Mrs. Morse served most efficiently as assistant postmaster. At the close of the two year term in the post office Mr and Mrs. Morse went to Varina, where they conducted the Farmers Supply store for three years, after which they moved to Storm Lake, where they have resided for thirteen years.

While at Newell Mrs. Morse taught music for some time and also was unusually active in the Order of Eastern Star at the place. Both Mr and Mrs Morse were active in the Methodist church at Newell. They were members of the choir and Mrs Morse was also organist for the choir. After coming to Storm Lake Mr and Mrs Morse attended Lakeside Presbyterian church and she affiliated with the Rebekah lodge here.

Two sons were born to Mr and Mrs. Morse. They are Albert E. Morse, who is in the piano business in Storm Lake, and L.R. Morse of Sioux City, who is district commercial supervisor for the Sioux City district of the Northwestern Bell telephone company. The latter submitted to a serious operation at the Mayo hospital at Rochester, Minnesota, two weeks ago this Tuesday and has not been informed of his mother's death.

Besides her husband and two sons, she leaves to mourn her death, one granddaughter, Miss Willamette Morse of Storm Lake, and one grandson, Robert Leighton Morse of Sioux City; two brothers, Alfred T. Cole of Wagner, S.D., and Sidney L. Cole of Phoenix, Arizona, and one, sister, Mrs. Paul A. Soeth of Storm Lake and other relatives and many friends.

Her parents, who removed to Buena Vista county and settled on a farm of 240 acres which they owned near Storm Lake, later moved to Storm Lake where they both died a few years later. Three brothers: Edgar J, Edwin P, and George W and one sister, Mary A Cole have also preceded her in death.

Mrs Morse was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, a kind friend and neighbor and was beloved by all who knew her and her death is deeply mourned.

Funeral services were held from the Fiscus Funeral Chapel Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, the date of the 51st wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs. Morse. Rev. Edward L. Gibson, pastor of Lakeside Presbyterian church officiated. Burial was in the Lakeview park cemetery here. Pall bearers were: George Allee, H.A. Harvey, Charles W Lewis, Ernest Martz, Frank Rodda, and O.A. Baskerville.

Mr and Mrs Alfred Cole of Wegner, SD; and Mrs Alice Cole and daughter, Mrs Flossie Martin and little daughter, Ruth of Joliet, Illinois, were among the relatives from out of town in attendance at the funeral. S.L. Cole was unable to attend.