12/1941 - George Morse-- Mr. Morse, one of the city’s pioneer merchants who died on Nov. 1, at his residence here, was one of the oldest living residents of the Peninsular Club, having joined the organization more than 50 years ago.

The exact date of his joining the Club, in fact, is not available since this information was part of the Club reords which were destroyed by fire a number of years ago. He was half a century a loyal and enthusiastic member of the Club and remained active until incapacitated by illness about a year ago.

A native of Biddeford, Me., Mr.Morse moved with his family to Wisconsin, then to Chicago. After an early business training he came to Grand Rapids and after a brief venture on Campau Square, he established a dry goods store in the 1870’s on Canal St., now lower Monroe Ave. He developed the business and later opened one of the nation’s first department stores in the Gilbert block, winning widespread fame as a merchant. Besides his Peninsular Club membership he was affiliated with several Masonic bodies.

Mrs. Morse, who was Ida Adelaide King of Howell, prior to their marriage in 1875, died about two years ago. Surviving are a son, Milton McClellan Morse, Lake Forest, Ill.; a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Stowe, Grand Rapids; a grandson, Milton M. Morse, Jr.; two granddaughters, Mrs. John P. Williams, Lake Forest, and Mrs. J.W. McCleave, Louisville, Ky,; two great granddaughters, a great grandson and a niece, Mrs. Stella Fitts of Grand Rapids..

Transcriber: Barb Jones
Created: 7 July 2009
URL: http://kent.migenweb.net/obituaries/morseG.html