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         ALVAH MORSE, a prominent farmer residing on section 16, Oakland Township, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., in 1820, and was the fifth in a family of eight children, whose parents were Joel and Susanna (Munger) Morse, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of Massachusetts. When a young man Joel Morse went to Massachusetts, where he became . . .

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. . . acquainted with, wooed and won Susanna Munger. After their marriage they began their domestic life upon a farm in Chenango County, where they were numbered among its pioneers. In 1854 Mr. Morse removed to Whiteside County, Ill., settling on Rock River, near Rock Falls, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1860. His excellent wife died in New York in 1852.

Our subject was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the district schools of his native State. When a young man he started for the West, going first to Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, after which he went down the Ohio River, and up the Mississippi to Iowa. In 1848 he first landed in this State, settling in Muscatine, where he worked at days’ labor until the fall of 1850, when he came to Louisa County. The year previous he had purchased 233 acres of raw prairie and timber land on section 16, Oakland Township, situated in that set apart by the Government for school purposes. He had previously expended some labor upon it, and at the time of his removal had about twenty acres broken. Upon the farm he erected a log cabin, which still stands, being one of the few relics of pioneer days which has withstood the wear and tear of time.

In the month of May, 1851, in Muscatine County, Mr. Morse was united in marriage with Jane Campbell, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James and Sarah Campbell. She came with her sister to Muscatine County in 1849, and Mr. Morse there met her. Their acquaintance ripened into love, and their union was celebrated in 1851. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm where they yet reside, and eleven children were there born to them, though only five are yet living: John G., who is now married, and resides in Muscatine County; Jerome, who is married, and is living in Johnson County, Iowa; Cosena, Willie and Carrie, who are at home.

For the past thirty-eighty years Mr. Morse has been a resident of Oakland Township, and during that time has witnessed many great changes in Louisa County. He has seen its wild prairies developed into beautiful farms and homes, cities and villages spring up, and the little log cabins replaced by elegant residences. His home farm now comprises 297 acres, 100 of which is fine arable land, the remainder being timber and pasture land. Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Morse has supported it by his ballot. He has held various offices of public trust, was Justice of the Peace for many years, and has acted as Township Trustee and School Director. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and rank among the highly respected people of Louisa County.