Isaac F. Morse
Isaac F. Morse, farmer, section 27, Shabbona Township, settled in this county in 1846, and is now the possessor of 160 acres of land located on the section stated. He was born in Canaan, Marion Co., Ohio, Nov. 7, 1819, and is a son of William A. and Hannah (Finn) Morse. His parents took him to Franklin Co., Ohio, in his childhood, and in that county he grew to manhood. His minority days were spent on the farm and attending the common schools, in which, he received a good education.
Mr. Morse was married Dec. 2, 1842, to Miss Sophia A. Park, in Worthington, Franklin Co., Ohio. She was a daughter of Jonathan and Aurelia (Slate) Park, and was born in Worthington, Franklin Co., Ohio, March 21, 1823, to which State her parents moved from Massachusetts.
Mr. Morse moved to this State in 1845, with his family, and located at Rock Island. He made the trip with teams and experienced all the trials incident to such a tiresome journey, arriving at Rock Island, May 12, of that year. He spent one year there, then came to Shabbona Township and located on the farm on which he is at present residing, and which he purchased from the Government.
Mr. and Mrs. Morse are the parents of 11 children, six girls and five boys. Ten of their children survive, namely: Mary A., born Oct. 19, 1843, became the wife of Samuel Galloway, at present residing in Tippecanoe City., Ohio; Sylvia L., born Oct. 29, 1846, became the wife of John N. Kittle, resident of Shabbona Township; Olive J., born Dec. 28, 1848, married Charles E. Brown and resides at Sibley, Iowa; Frank F., born Sept. 5, 1852, married Emma S. Morse, and lives in Shabbona; Id C., born Dec. 2, 1854, is the widow of Addison S. Slate, and resides with her father; Willis P., born Aug. 5, 1858, married Eva R. Slocum, and lives in Sibley, Iowa; Llewellyn H.H., born March 17, 1861; Althia E., born Jan. 4, 1863; Clara A.S., born Nov. 21, 1864; and Clyde S., born Oct. 20, 1868. William S., born Nov. 7, 1849, died July 4, 1850.
Mr. Morse has held the office of Collector and also Constable for several years. Politically he is a Republican. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic Order, and was one of the charter members of Shabbona Lodge No. 374, and also one of the first officers of that lodge. He was also a member of the I.O. O.F., and belonged to Fertile Lodge at Shabbona, which has been suspended for a number of years. He is a fair type of the early pioneer who in later life preserves the large-hearted, generous feelings of frontier days. His friends and the stranger are alike welcomed to his fireside. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb Co.
