Charles Fessenden Morse, Civil War Union Army Officer. Colonel of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

Falmouth Enterprise, Saturday, December 04, 1926; Page: 4

CHARLES F. MORSE

Prominent Summer Resident Dies At Boston Home

Charles Fessenden Morse, of 173 Marlborough Street, Boston, and a summer resident of Falmouth, died at his home on Wednesday morning, following several months of feeble health.

Mr. Morse was born in Boston, Sept. 23, 1839, and was in his 88th year at the time of his death. He was .the son of Robert M. and Sarah M. (Clark) Morse. Until 1861 he resided in Jamaica Plain, where his brother, the late Robert M. Morse, also lived. He attended Harvard University and in 1858 was graduated from the engineering department. The following year he entered the office of George Snell, an architect, where he remained until 1861.

During the latter part of 1860 he became a member of the New England Guards of the Fourth Battalion, M.V.M., and on April 25, 1861 Mr. Morse with his battalion went to Fort Independence in Boston Harbor for garrison duty. He soon became a member of the Second Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first volunteer regiments organized, for three years at the front, and was commissioned a first lieutenant. Mr. Morse took part in the recruiting and organizing of the company and left Camp Andrew, West Roxbury, for the front on July 8th. Throughout the war he was on duty in all the major engagements and campaigns in which his regiment took part. He was severely wonded in the battle of Averyborough. He was mustered out with his regiment at Washington, D.C, July 14th, 1365 as lieutenant colonel, commanding.

In 1865 Mr. Morse entered into a partnership with Major Henry L. Higgenson and Channing Clapp, bought a plantation in Bryan County, Ga., and went into the cotton growing business, which continued until 1870. Early the next year he was appointed general Supply agent of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad Company, and he remained in Burlington, la., until 1872, when he was appointed superintendent the same road with offices at PImouth, la. Two years later he was appointed general superintendent of the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Railroad and moved to Topeka Kansas. Some years later he signed his position to take charge of the Kansas City stock yards and engaged in various land enterprises. He entered this concern as general manager and later became president, retiring in 1913.

Mr. Morse was one of the first Boston residents to make their summer home in Falmouth, and long maintained his fine residence the corner of Surf Drive and Shore Street. He was always interested the town and took an active part in the town's affairs for many years. When the town was taking over property at the foot of Shore Street for park purposes, Mr. Morse gave the town the strip of beach joining the casino.

On Oct. 20, 1874, Mr. Morse married Ellen M. Holdredge of Milton. She survives him as do six children Mrs. Charles Brewer of West; Mrs. John Adams of Lincoln; Mr. George S. Barrows of Providence, R.I.; Arthur H. Morse of West; Charles F. Morse Jr., of Milton; Thomas R. Morse of Belmont; a sister is Miss Ellen C. Morse, who has long been a resident of Jamaica Plain. Funeral services were held from his late home on Marlborough street, Boston, at 3 o'clock Friday &l noon. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Falmouth, at eleven o'clock Saturday morning. The comm service being read by Rev. H. Herbert Smythe.