History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918).

SIDNEY E. MORSE, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Weston Township, having a good farm in Sections 11 and 15, was born in New York State, Sept. 5, 1851.  His father, George W. Morse, was a farmer in that state, having been born and reared there, and who, at the age of 24 years, married Hannah Gates. She also was born in New York State, the daughter of a farmer. After his marriage George W. Morse went with his wife to Essex County, New York, where they settled on a farm on sixty acres. There he built a log house and barn and with the aid of a team of oxen cleared the land. Two sons were born to them there--Sidney E. Morse, subject of this sketch, and Lyman, who died in Salem, Ore. in 1905.

S. E. Morse was educated in his native state and brought up on his parents' farm, where he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture. When he was about 17 years old the family came to Clark County, the father buying eighty acres of wild land in town of Weston (Township 15). As the land was covered with trees and brush, it was first necessary to make a clearing on which to build a log house, this early dwelling being 20 by 30 feet in size. A log barn was also constructed, 24 by 60 feet. George W. Morse worked in the woods one winter and then returned east to Indiana, where he stayed a year and a half, coming back to Clark County in 1880. Here he died a few years later, having previously married for his second wife, Sarah Anne Markham.

S. E. Morse worked in the woods four years after coming to Clark County, driving a span of mules during the first season. On Feb. 29, 1874, at the age of 23, he married Julia Jones, daughter of a New York State farmer. Her parents had died when she was very young and she had been adopted by Loren Gates, who brought her to Clark County. After their marriage S. E. Morse and his wife settled on the home farm, where he raised oxen which he used in logging. He also built a log barn and frame house on the back forty acres of his father's farm, and then bought out his stepmother and moved into the old home, where six children were born to him-Alonzo, Orson, May, Grace, Maud, and Olive, of whom Maud is now deceased. He later built a barn, 38 by 72 feet in size, a ninety-ton silo, a granary, 25 by 42 feet, and a ten-room frame house, veneered with brick.

At various times he has served in public office, including seven years' service as treasurer of the school board, four years as township treasurer, one year on the side board, one year as town clerk and one year as assessor. He is treasurer of the Christie Creamery, local agent of the Lynn Insurance Company, and treasurer of Christie Court, Knights of Liberty. Mr. Morse is now in his sixty-seventh year, but strong and hearty, enjoying excellent health. A man of sterling character, hospitable and kindly, he has made many friends, and is one of the representative citizens of Weston Township. His son Alonzo now operates the farm, on which Mr. Morse has resided for forty-nine years.

1880 Federal Census--Weston, Clark, WI

Sidney Morse @28, b. NY, Farmer, Parents b. NY

Wife: Julia @21, b. NY, Parents b. NY

Son: Alonzo @3, b. WI

Son: Orson @1, b. WI

Half-sister: Betsey Morse @6, b. WI, Student, Parents b. NY

Half-brother: Haven Morse @4, b. WI, Student, Parents b. NY