"History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.140-141. "At the age of seventy-eight years Cornelius W. Morse is living retired in Manitowoc, where for many years he has been regarded as a valued representative and honored citizen. For a long period he conducted a general contracting business and at the same time was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. . He was born in Burlington, Vermont, July 30, 1833. . Cornelius W. Morse was about thirty-two years of age when he left New England for the middle west. He had pursued his education in the public schools of his native state and had followed a general course of study by a course in law. . In 1860 he was admitted to the bar. . He entered upon the practice of law in his native state but following the outbreak of the Civil war put aside all business, professional and personal considerations in order to espouse the cause of the Union. He raised a company of infantry but before they were mustered into service he was taken ill and another was elected captain. In August, 1861, he joined the army as a member of Company A First Vermont Cavalry, as a private and served until November, 1864. He participated in all the engagements in the Shenandoah valley with General Banks and also served under General Pope, General Hooker and General Meade. . Mr. Morse participated in the battle of the Wilderness, in the sanguinary conflict at Gettysburg, and in the engagement at Cedar Creek. On the 16th of July, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and served with that rank until the close of his enlistment. He then returned home, where he remained all winter, suffering with the fever and ague as the result of his arduous military experience. The next summer, or in 1865, he came west to visit his sister, Mrs. H. Truman, who was then residing in Manitowoc. Here he embarked in business as a flour manufacturer, in connection with Mr. Truman, and afterward extended his efforts into other fields of business. He began railroad grading and following the construction of the line, was appointed the first station agent at Manitowoc, which position he filled for two years. He later became bookkeeper for J. Vilas & Company, with whom he remained for two years or more, when he became assistant foreman at the harbor, acting in that capacity during the construction of the harbor. Subsequently he began contracting in street building, in gravel work, etc., and did much for the improvement of the city as a street contractor. While thus identified with general contracting interests through a long period, he also engaged throughout the entire time in farming. When he began working on the harbor he purchased a tract of wild and undeveloped land, which he cleared and converted into a good farm. His property, comprising one hundred acres, was near Manitowoc Rapids and he superin-tended its cultivation and development while engaged in the conduct of various other business interests. At the present time, however, he is now living retired. Old age has come upon him and he deserves his well earned rest. He is still a well preserved man and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime, for through reading and observation he keeps in close touch with the world's work and present-day events of importance. In 1866, in Manitowoc, Mr. Morse was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia W. Vilas, a native of Ogdensburg, New York, and a cousin of Senator Vilas. Her father was Joseph Vilas, a farmer, who came from the east to establish his home in Wisconsin at an early period in the development of this region. Mr. and Mrs. Morse have become the parents of three children: Norman V., now living in Chicago; and Bowen B. and Helen V., both at home. Mr. Morse is a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertains to the general welfare. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party until Bryan came to the front as its leader, since which time he has cast an independent ballot. He has long been a faithful member of the Episcopal church and his life has been an upright and honorable one, winning for him the high regard and confidence of his fellowmen. For forty-seven years he has lived in Manitowoc and is well known as one of its representative citizens, his influence being always given on the side of progress, reform, justice and righteousness."