James W. Morse Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 1006

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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JAMES W. MORSE, a well-known and prominent citizen of Pierre, Sooth 
Dakota, who is now serving so creditably as clerk of the courts of 
Hughes county, was born in Springfield, Illinois, September 3, 1853, 
and is a son of James M. and Emma (Gregory) Morse, the former a native 
of Massachusetts, the latter of Connecticut. The father became a 
resident of Springfield, Illinois, on the removal of the capital to 
that city, as a clerk in the state treasurer's office, and he filled 
various other official positions, among which was that of swamp land 
commissioner. He was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, and a man 
highly respected by all who knew him. He still makes his home in 
Springfield and is now living retired at the age of ninety-two years. 
The wife and mother died in 1894. To them were born nine children, two 
sons and seven daughters. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Springfield, 
Illinois, where he was a school-mate of Robert Lincoln. In early life 
he learned telegraphy and for three years was in the employ of the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad Company as an operator at Elkhart, Illinois, 
and Roodhouse, Illinois. He then entered the Illinois Watch Company's 
works at Springfield, where he soon mastered the business and remained 
with that concern for eight years. From 1883 until 1889 he was employed 
in the works at Aurora, Illinois, having charge of the jeweling 
department. 

In the latter year, Mr. Morse came to Pierre, South Dakota, and for two 
years engaged in the confectionery business here. He was appointed 
deputy postmaster in 1892, and filled that position for two years. In 
the fall of 1894, he was elected clerk of the courts, and so acceptably 
did he fill that office that he was re-elected in 1 896 and again in 
1898, and is the present incumbent. His official duties have been 
discharged with a promptness and fidelity that has won the commendation 
of all concerned, and his public and private life are alike above 
reproach. Socially he is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, and 
the Knights of the Maccabees, and politically he is a stanch supporter 
of the Republican party and its principles. Since coming to this state 
he has met with a well-deserved success in his undertakings, and has 
secured a host of warm friends. 

In Springfield, Illinois, Mr. Morse was married, in 1878, to Miss Mary 
J. Schlipf, a native of that state, and to them have been born two 
children: Bernice W., who is living in South Dakota; and Dorothy L., 
who is still at home.