Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Morse, Allen Benton 1921 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net October 22, 2010, 11:25 pm Ionia Daily Sentinel-Standard, 1 & 5 Jul 1921 Judge A. B. Morse Is Taken By Death Today. Career Full Of Public Service Brought To End. Former Supreme Court Justice and Consul to Glasgow Passes On. Aged Judge Had Not Been in Good Health for Several Years. Heart Attack Proves Fatal This Forenoon. Allen Benton Morse, a pioneer resident of Ionia county and one of the most distinguished personages the community ever produced, died at his home on East Washington street at 10 o’clock this morning following a sudden heart attack. He had been in a serious condition since Tuesday morning, but appeared better this morning when his physician visited him. With the death of Judge Morse the community lost one of its most influential and revered citizens, one whose life was devoted whole heartedly to public service, up until the time of a serious illness about 12 or 14 years ago, since which time he has been confined closer to his home. Civil War Veteran. Serving in the civil war with distinction and giving an arm for the cause of liberty and union for the nation he early became a recognized attorney. His reputation won for him an appointment to the supreme bench of Michigan in 1880 which distinguished office he held until 1892, when he resigned to become democratic candidate for governor of Michigan. Judge Morse was defeated in the election, but was soon after appointed by President Cleveland United States consul at Glasgow, Scotland, where he remained for four years. After his return from Scotland Judge Morse became one of the most popular attorneys in the state and his opinions bore much weight. His outspokenness and strong convictions were admirable characteristics of his nature. Living Retired Life. Since he retired from practice Judge Morse has led a life of partial seclusion because of his ill health. Those close friends who have visited him regularly have noted the beauty of his life, spent as it was for the public good. When he became ill a few days ago a daughter from Grand Rapids, Mrs. E. M. Davis, was called. She returned to Grand Rapids last night when her father’s condition appeared to be less serious. Mrs. G. Lee Yates and Mrs. Van Morse were present with the widow of Judge Morse today, and relatives of Mrs. Morse were also in attendance. Messages were sent to two brothers and two sisters of the judge in Iowa and Colorado. It is not known if they will be here for the funeral which will be Tuesday, it was announced. Judge Morse was a native son of Ionia county. H was born on a farm in Otisco township, January 7, 1839 and was the third white child and first white male child born in the county. He was the son of Judge John L. and Susan Ann Cowles Morse, natives of New York state, and pioneers of this county. Allen B. Morse was reared on the farm in Otisco receiving his elementary education in the crude schools of the time. Later he took a course in the M. A. C. at Lansing. He carried on the farm work, taught school and helped in many other ways while his father was in California with the gold seekers of 1849. He was a law student at the University of Michigan when the Civil war broke out in 1861 and on July 10 in that year joined as a private in Company B, 16th regiment, Michigan Volunteer infantry. He was soon commissioned first lieutenant of the 21st Michigan later became adjutant, and served as such on the staff of Colonel Frank T. Sherdan, commanding a brigade in Sherman’s division. During the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, he lost his left arm and in 1864 was discharged. Mr. Morse returned to Ionia and resumed the study of law in the office of W. B. Wells and was admitted to the bar February 23, 1865. Judge Morse served as justice in the supreme court from October 1885 until 1892, resigning to accept the democratic nomination for governor in that year. Shortly after his defeat in that campaign he was appointed by President Cleveland United States consul at Glasgow, Scotland, where he rendered distinguished service for four years. He then returned to Ionia and resumed the practice of law. He served as state senator from this district, as mayor for Ionia, and as prosecuting attorney. Judge Morse was married to Frances Marion VanAllen in 1874 and four children were born two of them are living, Mrs. E. M. Davis of Grand Rapids and Mrs. G. L. Yates of Ionia. Two sons Dan and Van are dead, the former dying at the age of 20 as a result of illness contracted when attempting to save a companion from drowning in Long lake, and the latter passing away suddenly on November 17, 1920. In 1888, Judge Morse was married to Anna Babcock of Ionia. Judge Morse was a member of the Masonic order in Scotland. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution in Detroit and of William H. Borden Post G. A. R. He and Judge J. C. Taylor were the two remaining commissioned officers on the rolls of the post. ---- Judge Morse Will Be Laid At Rest Tuesday Morning Mayor Asks That Business Places Close from 10 to 11 Tuesday. The funeral for Judge A. B. Morse will be held from the residence, 250 East Washington street, Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. The burial will take place in the family lot at Highland Park cemetery. Word has been received that Lucius Babcock of El Reno, Oklahoma, will arrive tomorrow morning to attend the funeral. Friends are requested to please omit flowers. Mayor Green, view of the high esteem in which Judge Morse was held here, today issues a communication to the people requesting that the business places close during the funeral. Mayor Green’s Communication: “Judge Allen B. Morse, one of the most prominent men in the state of Michigan and the most distinguished citizen of Ionia, has passed away. “Judge Morse has been a resident of Ionia city for more than half a century. He served his country as a gallant soldier during the great civil war. He gained distinction and promotion as an officer upon the field of battle. He served the city of Ionia as mayor and held other positions of public trust in our city. He sat upon the highest tribunal of our state and his high legal attainments and judicial decisions while a member of our supreme court are everywhere recognized as showing great learning, ability and high sense of justice. He represented the government of the United States in the courts of foreign power and had been counsel to Glasgow for several years. He was an honest and honored citizen of our commonwealth, respected by all. “It is fitting that we show our respect by closing all business places from 10:00 until 11:00 Tuesday, July 5, during the hour of the funeral. “I trust this request will be respected. “Fred W. Green, Mayor.” ---- Comrades of the Civil War Attend A. B. Morse Funeral G.A.R. Rites Observed at Grave of Former Supreme Court Jurist. Fitting burial services were held this morning at 10 o’clock for Judge Allen B. Morse from the family residence on East Washington street. Rev. Harry E. Porter had charge of the service and the William H. Borden post, G. A. R. attended in a body. The G. A. R. ritual service was held at the grave. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. Those here from out of the city to attend the funeral were Lucius Babcock of El Reno, Oklahoma, William Morse of Belmont, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Edsell of Greenville, Mrs. E. Shannigan of Grand Rapids, Mrs. Emma Morse and Mr. and Mrs. John Morse and Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Morse of Belding, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Sykes of Easton and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ives of Detroit. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/m/morse9632nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 8.2 Kb