Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 426.

PERCY M. MORSE

Percy M. Morse, county surveyor of Lane county, was born in Rochelle, Illinois,
October 30, 1876, his parents being Amos A. and Ellen (Keeney) Morse, natives,
respectively, of New Jersey and of Michigan. It was while residing in his
native state that the father volunteered for service in the Civil war, but as he
had not yet attained his majority and his mother was dependent upon him for
support, his offer was not accepted by the government. Going to Illinois he
there became connected with railroading, thus continuing until 1889, when he
was appointed general freight agent for the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company
at Portland, Oregon, discharging the duties of that position in a most capable
and efficient manner until 1914, or for a period of twenty-five years. He then
retired, but not being content to lead a life of inactivity, he is now with the
Northwestern National Bank of Portland, having charge of the safety deposit
vaults. Although seventy-six years of age he is still possessed of both mental
and physical vigor and his life has been one of activity and usefulness. The
mother also survives and is now seventy-two years of age.

Percy M. Morse was reared and educated in Rochelle and Rockford, Illinois, and
later became a student in the high school at Portland, Oregon, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1897. The following year he enlisted for service in
the Spanish-American war, becoming a member of the Second Oregon Volunteer
Regiment, with which he went to the Philippines. In March, 1899, he received
his discharge and subsequently became connected with the Oregon Railroad &
Navigation Company, remaining in the service of that corporation for a period of
seven years. Subsequently he entered the employ of the Pacific Railroad &
Navigation Company, having charge of construction work at Tillamook, Oregon, for
one and a half years. From 1909 until 1916 he was city engineer at Hood River,
Oregon, and then became connected with the Eugene Ice & Storage Company at
Eugene, with which company he remained for a year. Later he acted as deputy
surveyor of Lane county for a period of two years, while for the past year he
has filled the office of county surveyor, ably discharging the responsible
duties which devolve upon him in this connection.

Mr. Morse was married in June, 1903, to Miss Margaret Godfrey and they have
become the parents of four daughters, namely: Elizabeth, Katherine, Marion and
Maggie Lee.

In politics Mr. Morse is a republican and he has labored earnestly for the
success of the party. He is a member of the American Association of Civil
Engineers and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His labors
have ever been of a constructive nature, contributing in large measure to the
work of improvement and upbuilding in various sections of the state, and his
sterling worth of character is recognized by all with whom he has been
associated.


******************* 

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.