Legislator Details


Judge Allen Benton Morse
AKA:
Number of sessions served 1
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 35

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 1/7/1839
City: Otisco Township, MI
County: Ionia County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 7/1/1921
City: Ionia, MI
County: Ionia County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date: 7/5/1921
City: Ionia, MI
County: Ionia County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Highland Park Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Frances Marian Van Allen, dau. of George W. Van Allen, 11/25/1874; died 10/29/1884; children: Marion (Davis), Van Allen, Lucy C. and Dan R.; married Anna Babcock, dau. of Lucius Babcock of Ionia, 12/12/1888;

Number of Children: 4

Background

Religion:
Military Service: United States Army
Occupation: lawyer, judge
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
common schools; attended Michigan Agricultural College (now MSU), 1859-61.

Biographical Sketch:
Eldest of 9 children of John L. & Susan (Cowles) Morse. Enlisted in the 16th Michigan Infantry Company B, 7/10/1861; transferred to 21st Regiment, 1863; discharged 1864. Admitted to the bar, 2/23/1865. Ionia County Prosecuting Attorney, 1867-71. Candidate for Michigan state attorney general, 1878. Mayor of Ionia, Mich., 1882. Justice of Michigan supreme court, 1885-92. Chief justice of Michigan state supreme court, 1885, 1892. Candidate for Governor of Michigan, 1892. U.S. Consul in Glasgow, Scotland, 1893-97. Candidate for Michigan house of representatives, 1906. Member of the Masons, the SAR and the GAR.

Notable Facts:
Son of Rep. John L. Morse, who served in the House, 1846-47. Served as acting assistant adjutant general for Colonel Sherman in Sheridan's army. Lost arm at battle of Missionary Ridge, TN, 11/25/1863.

Sessions Served:

Twenty-Eight Legislature, 1875-1876
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: State Affairs , Military Affairs , Constitutional Amendments
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Ionia
County of Residence Ionia
District: 27
District Description: Counties of Montcalm and Ionia

Date Elected: 11/3/1874
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1875
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

Cyc 1:48; Ensign p.164-65, drawing of residence facing p.164; RepDist 5:83-4; Bingham p.477; Manual 1875 p.87; Men of Progress p.227, includes portrait; USCen 1880; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portrait; Ionia Daily Sentinel-Standard 1&5 July 1921
View Bibliographical Sources