Morse Family History

George W. Morse was born on August 10, 1838. His parents, Lyman and Harriet Morse, were natives of Vermont who emigrated from New York State to Rock County, Wisconsin. Gorge W. is said to be the first white child born in Rock County. He was reared on a farm, and after the death of his father he went, at age eleven, to live with Jerome Vaughn, and remained there until he was of legal age. On April 10, 1860, George W. came across the plains and mountains and arrived in Sacramento on September 1, 1860. In 1862 he purchased 800 acres of land in the San Joaquin Township but did not settle there until 1870. His land was located about six miles from Elk Grove, eighteen miles from Sacramento, and three and a half miles from upper Stockton road. It was there that the Morse dynasty began in Elk Grove.

In 1870, George W. Morse married Miss Emma Russell, a native of Arkansas. Emma’s family came to this state in 1860, locating in Sacramento. George and Emma had two sons and two daughters: Egbert, born April 1877; Maud, born June 14, 1879; Archie, born August 26, 1881; and Eva, born July 12, 1885. George W. Morse died at his home near Elk Grove on January 29, 1913 at age 74.

Archie Morse, third child to George and Emma, married Barbara Comstock in 1918, and together they carried on what Archie’s father had begun. The Morse’s were interested in making a good living for their five children and were committed to education. Archie and Barbara’s five children were Evelyn, Archie Jr., David, George and Herbert. The Carroll School was their neighborhood school, located on what is now Carroll School Road. Archie and Barbara were largely responsible for the planning and decision making that went with the building of the Carroll School. All five children went to school there and graduated from Elk Grove High School.

It was the year 1932, the harvest was over, and Archie decided to load his family into his model A truck for their annual camping trip. They headed up to French Meadows with no hint of the tragedy that would become a part of their lives. It was there that Archie suddenly became ill with a high fever that would not go away. His death was a terrible calamity to the family. The camping trip ended with Barbara a widow and the children fatherless with the oldest being only 13 years old. Archie was a long-standing member of the Elk Grove Masonic Lodge and was known as a diligent working farmer of great fortitude, with a pleasing nature, and a man of great foresight.

Barbara Comstock Morse was a strong-willed farm wife who during these tough times, successfully ran her ranch and raised her five children after the untimely death of her husband Archie Morse. Wheat and hay were the main crops in 1932 and Mrs. Morse kept on growing them. She summer fallowed half the land each year. At a time when women were expected to stay out of business matters, Barbara Morse figured out how to get a bank loan, got the crops planted and harvested, and solved every problem that came her way. The odds were insurmountable, but she got the job done, and in the process, she taught her children lessons they would never forget. The part of the place, which was mortgaged, was paid off eventually and the economic situation began to look a little better. Barbara ran the farm until the boys were old enough to take over. She was recognized in the Sacramento area as an outstanding woman in agriculture. The four Morse sons stayed involved in farming for many years. All four were involved with Future Farmers at the school at a time when Elk Grove was beginning its excellent agriculture program that continues today. Following World War II, they formed a farming business called “The Morse Brothers.”

Evelyn Morse was the oldest of the 5 children born to Archie and Barbara Morse and was the only girl. After graduating from Sacramento State College, Evelyn embarked on a teaching career. She taught for two years at Elk Grove Elementary and 30 years at Pacific Elementary in Sacramento, from which she retired. The list of organizations benefiting from her services include: the Elk Grove United Methodist Church, Cancer Society, Franklin/Laguna Planning Advisory Council, Elk Grove Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Meals on Wheels, past president of the Elk Grove Garden Club, Historical Society and Elk Grove Book Club.

Archie Morse (the son) followed his mother’s footsteps and was later elected trustee of Carroll School before it succumbed to flames in 1946. He spent his career as an appraiser for Sacramento County, the state of California, and the federal government. He has also done independent property appraising. Archie and Pat had 5 children. Barbara Morse Wackford, the middle child, is involved in the Elk Grove community and retired after 28 years in the Park and Recreation field, 16 in which she served as Administrator of the Elk Grove CSD Department of Parks and Recreation.

Dave Morse was the first student to enroll at the brand new Sacramento State College in 1949. He was also the first Student Body President and first alumni president of the school now known as California State University, Sacramento. On May 2, 1943, Dave married Jane Berenice Derr (another well known Elk Grove Family). Dave spent 32 years as a teacher and counselor at Elk Grove High School. Jane worked part time for the Elk Grove Water Works. Dave and Jane danced for the Strauss Festival for five out of the first six years of its existence. Of their three children, Matthew David Morse is also a teacher in the Elk Grove area.

George Morse was elected as the Outstanding Young Farmer in California and became the largest rice grower in the Sacramento area. He established a number of alfalfa pellet mills including the one on Eschinger Road that is the largest in the area. After his retirement, he wrote a musical theatrical production based on the life of his mother, Barbara Comstock Morse, called “A Woman Got it Done.” The play was based on events that occurred in Franklin, Bruceville and Elk Grove in the 1930’s and was performed at Sacramento City College and other places.

Herbert Morse, best known as Bert, spent many years farming with his family on the Bruceville farm. He was a community leader and served as Student Body President in his senior year at Elk Grove High School. He had a special interest in literature and was a student of American history. At the time of his early death in 1968, he was working at McClellan Field as an aircraft welder.