Mark H. Morse 1841-1943

MORSE, WILLIS, STUTE, JEFFRY

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/22/2020 at 09:15:16

30 December 1943 - The Anamosa Journal

page 2

WYOMING--Funeral service for Mark H. Morse, 102, Civil war veteran who died Saturday at Mercy hospital, Anamosa, was held Tuesday, Dec. 28 from the Presbyterian church at Wyoming, with Rev. Robert Allen, pastor of the church and Rev. E. G. Steinman, pastor of the Methodist church officiating. Burial was in the Wyoming cemetery.

Mark H. Morse, son of John W. and Phoebe B. Morse, was born at Bradford, N. H., Oct. 18, 1841.

When Mark was 11 years old, his parents came to Iowa and settled on a farm, five miles east of Wyoming in the Pleasant Ridge community. He attended the country school in that community and took advanced work in the Maquoketa schools.

When the call came for volunteers in the Civil war, Morse enlisted in the 31st Iowa Infantry, Co. F. on Aug. 13, 1862, at Maquoketa. During his three years of active service he was in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta campaign, Sherman's famous march through Georgia. Although never wounded he was seriously ill of a fever while in Georgia. He was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 27, 1865.

On Jan. 26, 1867, he was married to Miss Eliza Willis of Monmouth, Iowa. The young couple settled on the Morse farm, east of Wyoming, and lived there until 1897, when they took up their residence at the present home in Wyoming. They were privileged to enjoy 60 years of wedded life before the death of Mrs. Morse in 1927. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morse, John and William N., both of Wyoming. After the death of Mrs. Morse, he lived alone for a time but of late years his grandson, Clifford Morse, and family have lived with him.

He bore the burden of his years lightly and was alert and active until a week and a half ago, when he became ill. On Thursday, Dec. 23, his condition necessitated that he be taken to the hospital at Anamosa, where he died Saturday, Dec. 25, at 12:30 p.m.

Survivors are two sons, four grandsons, Reginald Morse, Harrison Morse and Clifford Morse, all of Wyoming; John Morse, Cedar Rapids; two granddaughters, Mrs. Grizelda Stute, White Plains, N.Y., and Mrs. Edith Jeffry, Clinton, and two great granddaughters, Sharon Jeffry, Clinton and Karen Morse, Wyoming.

Mark Morse was a life member of the Presbyterian church, his father being one of the founders and trustees of the local church. He was prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as local commander many years, also as county commander. He was active in all state and national conventions of the Grand Army of the Republic, seldom missing these encampments.

Interested in Civil war trophies and antiques, he had in his travels about the state accumulated a large collection of museum pieces. His love of flowers was manifested in his flower garden and the many beautiful bouquets sent to friends and shut-ins.

School children will remember him for his studies of Civil war days and the presentation of a small flag to each at the close of his story. As a respected citizen, the community will miss his familiar, erect figure in uniform at gatherings, and his cheerfulness that was contagious to all he came in contact with.

Page 6

Seven American Legion posts participated in funeral service held at the high school auditorium, Wyoming, for Mark H. Morse, Civil war veteran, Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Herbert Graening, county chaplain, and pastor of the Zion Lutheran church, Wyoming, was officiating chaplain.

Albert Ament, Anamosa, commander of Arthur McCullough post 13, was bugler. Legion posts participating were Wyoming, Timber city post 175, Maquoketa, from where Morse enlisted in the Civil war; Blayney-Miner post 412, Olin; Wapsie post 473, Oxford Junction; Arthur P. O'Rourke post 290, Monticello and Arthur McCullough post 13, Anamosa.

Monticello veterans of foreign wars association 1683, of which Morse was an honorary member, assisted with the service. Pallbearers were selected from these groups.

Bearers of colors and color guards preceded the funeral procession; with the pallbearers walking on either side of the funeral carriage. Services were largely attended, and floral offerings and telegrams to the family many.