Romaine F. Morse 1827-1906

MORSE, CLOSE, WILSON, BAUMAN, EDWARDS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/7/2010 at 22:04:31

Death of Romaine F. Morse
Passed Away Saturday Evening, March 31, at the Home of His Daughter, Mrs. P. M. Wilson at Walker, Iowa

Romaine F. Morse, for a number of years a resident of this city, and who since the death of his wife on April 19th, 1898, has made his home with his children, dividing his time between the home of his son G. H. Morse of this city and relatives in and near Walker, passed away at the home of his daughter in Walker, Iowa, Saturday evening, March 31st.

Mr. Morse had been a sufferer from Bright’s disease for a number of years, and although feeble in health, was of a cheerful, companionable disposition and was highly respected by a large circle of friends in this city.

We clip the following form the Walker News:

“R. F. Morse, whose critical illness was announced in The News last week, passed away Saturday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. P. M. Wilson. He had been a long sufferer of Bright’s disease and for several months his condition had been serious.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, being in charge of Rob Morris lodge, No. 500, A.F. & A.M., of which order Mr. Morse was a member for more than forty years. An able sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Evans, of Cedar Rapids, who was assisted in the services by Rev. Cooley and Hall.

Romaine R. Morse was born in Monroe county, N.Y., Sept. 21, 1827. He was married to Miss Rachel E. Close at Perue, Huron county, Ohio, March 16, 1850. They came to Iowa in 1853 and purchased land near Lamotte, in Jackson county, but returned to Ohio, where they remained until 1858. Coming again to Iowa in the latter year they settled on their farm near Lamotte, and remained there for thirty years, good, worthy and honored members of the community, highly respected and honored by their friends.

Mr. Morse twice offered himself for the services of his country in the Civil war but both times was rejected because physically unfit to endure the fatigue of a soldier’s life.

From Jackson county Mr. and Mrs. Morse moved to Jones county, settling near Center Junction. There they remained several years and then removed to Walker. After a few years here they went to Estherville, Emmet county, which remained their home until April 19, 1898, when Mrs. Morse passed away. Following this great sadness Mr. Morse spent most of his time at the homes of his surviving children.

While he was an excellent and steadfast friend to all with whom he associated, he was especially an ardent lover of the several members of his family and always manifested great anxiety for their prosperity. Eight children had blessed the home, three of whom died in infancy. The surviving ones were all present during the last few days of their father’s sickness. They are: Rosalle Agnes Wilson, Georgiana Myrtle Bauman, Viola M. G. Edwards, Gail H. and Jay C. Morse. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, April 11, 1906)