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Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer 

				HON. ALLEN B. MORSE*
			    MRS. FRANCES M. VAN ALLEN

	Hon. Allen B. Morse is the eldest of the nine children of the Hon. John L. and Susan A. 
(Cowles) Morse, and was born Jan. 7, 1839, in Otisco Co., Mich. His father, now of Wright Co., 
Iowa, began to earn his own living at seventeen; he married at nineteen, and was one of the first
settlers in Ionia County. While in Michigan he held various township offices; was judge of the 
Probate Court for twelve years, and a member of the State Legislature.  In Iowa he has been 
county judge and county auditor, and is now a member of the Iowa Assembly.
	The education of Allen B. Morse was carried on mostly at home.  He was an apt scholar, 
but loved sport too well to be a close student.  He excelled in mathematics, English literature, 
and botany; the last is still his favorite study.  He took a two years' course at the 
Agricultural College, taught a few months, and in the spring of 1860 commenced the study of law.
In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth Regiment of Michigan Infantry. In December, 
1863, he was transferred to the Twenty-first Regiment , and soon after the battle of Chickamauga 
assigned to duty as acting assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Col. F. T. Sherman, who 
commanded the First Brigade of Sheridan's division.  While in this position he lost his arm at 
the storming of Mission Ridge.  He was in the battles of Hanover Court-house, Gaines' Mill, 
Pope's battle of Manassas, Antietam, Chickamauga, and in numerous skirmishes.  On severing his 
connection with his staff he received the following flattering testimonial;

	"HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE,
		"SECOND DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
			"CAMP LAIBOLD, EAST TENNESSEE, Feb. 9, 1864.
	"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:  The undersigned takes great pleasure in bearing testimony to 
	the ability and bravery of Lieut. A. B. Morse, adjutant of the Twenty-first Michigan 
	Infantry Volunteers.
	"Lieut. Morse was, by my orders, detailed as acting assistant adjutant-general of my 
	brigade, and was selected by me for this responsible position because of his peculiar 
	fitness and ability to discharge the duties which would devolve upon him. Ever at the 
	post of duty, either in the office or the field, he won the esteem and confidence of 
	his superior officers, and the love and respect of his juniors. I respectfully recommend 
	him to the consideration of his country and government for any position in the Invalid 
	Corps which he may desire.
								"F. T. SHERMAN,
				"Colonel Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, 
				"County Brigade.
				"FIRST LIEUT. A. B. MORSE, Ionia, Mich."

	"HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION,
		"FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
			"LOUDON, TENN., Feb. 11, 1864.
	"I take great pleasure in approving the wishes and recommendations of Col. Sherman.
	"Lieut. Morse while in my division proved himself to be an able, efficient, and gallant 
	officer, and was wounded while leading his men in the storming of Mission Ridge.
								"P. H. SHERIDAN,
									"Major-General."

	Lieut. Morse concluded his law studies on his return home, and has practiced since 
February, 1865, at Ionia. In 1866 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Ionia county.  In 1874 
he was the Democratic candidate for senator for his district, and was elected by a majority of 
two thousand two hundred and eleven in a strong Republican district. While in the Senate he was 
chairman of the military committee, and a member of the committee on State affairs and 
constitutional amendments.  Mr. Morse is an enthusiastic lover of field sports; all his spare 
hours at the proper season are spent with rod and gun, or in the study of the flora of forest 
and field.  He is of medium size and active temperament.  As a boy he thought deeply and was 
well informed on political subjects.  Taking the side of humanity and liberty, he early became a 
Union soldier, and showed a courage that proved him worthy to be one of the lifeguard of a great 
nation.  On his return from the war, made victorious by the valor of soldiers like himself, and 
bearing its scars, a grateful people were swift to honor him with public position.  His opinions 
are tenaciously held and fearlessly declared.  He is an expert in his profession.  Seizing the 
material points of a case, he examines and masters them, drawing conclusions that are rarely 
erroneous.  In addressing a court, a jury, or a public meeting he is fluent, clear, and forcible.
 He has already an extensive practice.  He is strong in his friendships and frank in his 
animosities.  So decided are his convictions and characteristics that his presence is
acknowledged wherever he moves.  In Nov. 25, 1874, he married Frances Marian Van Allen, daughter 
of George W. Van Allen. They have two children, a son and daughter.
	In 1878 he ran for attorney-general of State on the Democratic ticket and was defeated, 
and in 1880 was a delegate from State of Michigan to the Democratic National Convention at 
Cincinnati.



* From "Eminent Men of Michigan."

This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Pages 164-165.