Canton Historical Society
Elijah Morse
Obituary
from the
Canton Journal, June 10,
1898
Universal Grief
Ex-Congressman Morse's Death Causes General Depression
A Grand Tribute Paid to His Memory
In the past few years Canton has lost many of its prominent citizens. None however have dropped so suddenly from a leading position in the town to the narrow confines of the grave as he whom we laid to rest Wednesday last.
While his health had been failing for some two years, Mr. Morse had been absolutely confined to the house but a few days and within a few weeks had been taking an active part in business and public matters.
Among his most recent appearances in public meetings were his delivering lectures in this and some neighboring towns and presiding over the spring town meeting as moderator.
He commenced the business with which his name is generally associated while a mere lad, retailing the product by hand from a carpet bag. By persistent work, undaunted enterprise and wise business methods it was so increased that a couple of years ago he sold the English right alone for $200,000, and the business is now carried on in a factory with a capacity of more than 3000 tons and with agents all over the country and in many foreign lands.
He has ever shown great personal interest in the welfare of the town. He was one of the leaders in the movement which gave us our Memorial Hall and he donated the site and gave the memorial tablets which ornament the entrance. In later years he presented the town with a bronze statue of a volunteer soldier which ornaments the grounds and finding that through some miscalculation it was wrongly placed on its arrival he offered to pay the expense of the alterations for its proper locating.
He has ever been a leader in town improvements, was a member of the committee which prevailed upon the Boston & Providence Railroad to erect the present station at Canton in place of the old timber shed which formerly served the public at that point, maintained at his own expense the first public watering trough on the town highway and was ever active and liberal in public charities and donations. As a manufacturer he was liberal toward his help, paying weekly long before such action was demanded by law in this state and in times of business depression compelling shutdown's, he extended privileges in way of half pay while idle and reductions in rent to the help, thus assisting them to bear the burdens.
His private charities were also numerous and many a poor fellow has benefited by a helping hand and substantial aid of which his most intimate friends knew nothing.
Elijah Morse was an Indiana boy born in May, 1844, but when but fourteen years of age his family removed to Massachusetts so he can be claimed as a New Englander. His father was a Congregational Minister and in that church Mr. Morse grew up and to it he gave his most substantial encouragement and assistance. He was for many years before his death, deacon of the church in this town and was absent from its services only when compelled by necessity.
He was a member of Revere Post, G. A. R., and contributed largely to its maintenance and work, among other items assuming the expense of the frescoing of their pretty little hall entirely without solicitation and unexpectedly to the other members of the Post.
He was a member of Co. A, 4th Regt. And served with credit with Butler in Virginia and Banks in Louisiana, enlisting at the age of nineteen.
In politics he was a strong Republican. He was elected a member of the State Legislature in 1876. In 1886 and 1887 he served as a member of the State Senate and in the following year he was in the Council. In 1888 he was elected to Congress and served in the 51st, 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Congresses, declining to be a candidate for re-election on account of his health in 1896. He always ran well ahead of his ticket in the elections and was devoted to the interests of his constituents.
He was a life-long and consistent temperance advocate and supporter of the temperance measures and a popular speaker on the topic.
He was also a member of the Blue Hill Lodge, I.O.O.F., of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, of the Congregational and the Norfolk Clubs, of the Sons of the Revolution.
Personally Mr. Morse was extremely genial and affable, easily approached and with a kindly sympathy. His business relations brought him into contact with a great variety of men among who he gained many warm friends and made but few foes.
The effect of his death will long be felt in Canton and his loss sincerely mourned.
He was married in January, 1868, to Miss Felicia Vining, of Holbrook, who survives him with three sons, Abner, Samuel, and Benjamin.
Wednesday, the day set for the last services, was a typical June day, warm and bright. Before 10 o'clock, at which time the doors were opened, citizens began to arrive at Memorial Hall, where the body laid in state, to take a last look at the well known face.
The casket was placed in front of the center stage in the large hall being filled with graceful waving palms and beautiful floral pieces. A floral American flag was placed immediately behind the casket.
A detail from the Revere Post, G.A.R., performed the guard duty. From the time the doors were opened there was a continuous procession entering at the south door and passing around the hall, leaving from the north door. The detail was under the command of H. D. Seavey, Officer of the Day, the other members being R. L. Weston, Benj. Bolles, James Ryan, John T. Pitman, Fred Holbrook, Chas. F. Bryant, L. E. Wentworth, F. Z. Leonard and J. Smith, serving in three quarter hour reliefs.
It was peculiarly appropriate that this farewell should take place in the hall that was erected so largely through his efforts and to whose construction and beautifying he had given so much and taken so great pride.
The funeral services at the Congregational Church at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, were attended by a large concourse of relatives, business acquaintances and friends. All factories, stores and places of business suspended operations and closed their doors during the services, and the presence of representatives of all classes of society, together with officials high in State and national affairs, was a strong testimony of the universal esteem, regard and love in which Mr. Morse was held at home and abroad. So great was the gathering that numbers were unable to enter the church and remained outside and in their carriages through the service.
The services were of a most eloquent and impressive nature, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Dougherty, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. henry F. Jenks, of the Unitarian Church, and Rev. Mr. Davis, of Dorchester, an old friend of Mr. Morse and his family.
Rev. Mr. Jenks made a short but eloquent prayer, which was followed by the hymn, "Come Unto Me," touchingly rendered by the Albion Quartette, of Boston.
Rev. Mr. Dougherty then paid a glowing but deserved tribute to the dead. He spoke of Mr. Morse's business ability, his sturdy manhood, his integrity, his unswerving honesty in everything he undertook, his generosity, his devotion and sacrifice in the cause of temperance, his patriotism, his beautiful religion, his well spent, successful life./ He spoke particularly of his last months, during which, crowned with success, he had refused further congressional honors, and in the bosom of his family had quietly but steadily sank to his rest, sustained and glorified by the Faith which had ever upheld him. The Quartette sang "Gathering Home," in a manner which awakened the tenderest emotions in the hearts of all.
In his remarks, Rev. Mr. Davis likened Mr. Morse to Mr. Gladstone, in that religion was the main-spring of his life and actuated all his efforts. He had been acquainted with Mr. Morse since the summer of '62, when he first went out with his team to sell the commodity, which has in that interval made his name so well known all over this and other countries. He, too, spoke of Mr. Morse's patriotism, his Christian life, and successful business career. He spoke of his political life, as an example that a man could go into politics and still be honest; of his success in business as a proof that unfailing honesty begets its own reward. He referred feelingly to the family of the deceased, and bespoke the sympathy of the community for the bereaved widow and sons. His words of counsel and consolation touched the hearts of his hearers and were as balm to the mourning relatives. Following another selection by the quartette, Rev. Mr. Davis invoked Divine blessing, and then under direction of Undertaker Lowe all present were given opportunity for a last look at all that was mortal of the late Statesman, benefactor and friend.
The funeral cortege left the church at about four o'clock for Canton Cemetery, where the remains were interred in their last resting place, on his family lot. The pallbearers were J. W. C. Seavey, Joseph W. Wattles, John Everett, Hugh McPherson, Henry Buswell, Thomas Draper, Charles H. French and Frank R. Bird.
Messrs. J. G. Johnson, G. S. Wentworth, L. J. Bruns and Gordon Hunt acted as ushers.
The floral display, under the charge of Florist Doyle, of Cambridge, was beautiful and elaborate in the extreme. We give herewith a list of the offerings: A piece representing Scale of Life, composed of white lilies and white roses surmounted by three white doves, from employees of Rising Sun Stove Polish Factory; Old Glory, 3 feet in length, of red and white pinks and dark blue violets, inscribed "Our Comrade," from the Minute Men of '61; pillow of white carnations and white roses, inscribed "At Rest," from his widow; wreath of roses and lilies bearing the word, "Father," from his sons; pillow of pinks and roses, inscribed "Brother," from Albert F. Morse; spray of white roses, from his brother Abner L. Morse, which rested upon the upturned right hand corner of the casket lid; standing wreath of roses from Blue Hill Lodge, I.O.O.F.; large branch of calla lilies from Post Office Inspectors, Messrs. Geo. S. Evans and J. M. White; bunch of pink roses and wreath of ivy and roses from the Canton Congregational Church; bunch of pink roses from R. S. Byam and family; ivy wreath from W. R. C. No. 100; bunch of Easter lilies from Hon. S. B. Noyes; Day-break pinks from E. N. Thayer, of Holbrook; White roses from the local Y. P. S. C. E., bunch of roses from Col. H. A. Thomas, postmaster of Boston.
Among those present at the services were noted the following: Hon. Wm. Lovering, Congressman from this district, occupying the seat vacated by the late Mr. Morse; Hon. Ben. Lovell, of the Lovell Arms Co.; John D. Billings, of Cambridgeport; representing the Governor of the State; Wm. H. Osborne, of Boston; E. T. Chandler, past Commander Minute Men of '61; Councilor Nathaniel Ryder; Dr. Loring Puffer, of Brockton; Matthew Cushing, of Middleboro; Albert R. Davis, of Wakefield; Rev. N. B. Jones, of the Baptist Church, Boston; J. G. Cooper, Boston; Capt. John Rogers, of Jamaica Plain; Geo. H. and Wm. R. Mann, of Sharon; Dr. W. E. C. Swan, of Stoughton; F. M. Ames, of Boston; Hon. Bushrod Morse, of Sharon; S. R. Moseley, of the Hyde Park Gazette; Frank H. Caffin and A. C. Kollock, of Hyde Park; Dr. E. G. Morse, of Boston; Samuel B. Edwards, Chaplain U. V. U., Boston; S. C. Wright and John Shannon, of the Minute Men of '61, Boston; Rev. J. W. Buckmore, of Cambridge; Benj. R. Jewell, of Boston; Rev. Dr. Alden, of Boston; Ex-Mayor Henry Hall, of Taunton; S. W. Billings and Silas Stone, of Sharon. Besides the above might be mentioned all the local professional men of the town, together with the representatives of every branch of industry in Canton, the Selectman and other public officials in town.
