Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-08-27
ONE OF AMERICAS SELF MADE MEN,
samuel L. II. Morse.

st son of the late Jedediah Morse.
of the most distinguished Presby-
Erian clergymen of New England. lie
WAS born in Charlestown Mass, on the
27th of April, 1871, was carefully edu-
Icated in the common schools of his
native town. and at an early age entered
Yale college, where he graduated in
1910. Tie exhibited an early fondness
for art as well as studies Of scientific
nature, and while student of Yale,
displayed an especial aptness for chem
istry and natural philosophy. Upon
leaving college he decided to adopt the
profession Of an artist, and was sent
abroad to study under the tuition of
West, Copley snd Allston.
when Allston was painting his
Dead Man Restored to Life, in Lon
don, says Nh Tuckerman, in his Book
or >fhe> artists, she first modelled his
figure in clay. and explained to Morse,
who was then his pupil, the advantages
resulting from plan so frequently
adopted by the old masters. His young
cDmtryman was at this time meditating
his first composition-a dying Hercules
and proceeded at once to act upon
this suggestion. Having prepared a
model that exhibited the upper part OF
the body-which alone would be visible
in the picture he submitted it b. Allston.
WHO recognized SO much truth in nato-
my and expression that he urgently adj
vised its completion. After six weeks
OF labor. the statue was finished and
sent to West for inspection. That ven
terable artist, upon entering the room.
epat on his Spectacles. and as he walked
around the model. carefully examining
is details and general effect, a look of
lgeneral satisfaction beamed from his
iistr He rang for an attendant and
bade. him call his son. Look here,
Raphael, he exclaimed. as the latter
appeared did not always tell you
that every painter could be Il sculptor?'
We may imagine the delight Of the
iStadent at such commendation. The
same day one of his fellow pupils called
i'll, attention to notice issued 10y the
,Ailelphi Society of Arts. Offering a
prize for the best single figure, to be
modelled and sent to the rooms Of the
Association within Il certain period.
''rhf time fixed would expire in three
DAYS. Morse proiited 10y the occasion
and placed his Dying Hercules with
the thirteen other specimens already
entered 1Iewas consequently invited
u tile meeting Of the society on the
cyening on, which the decision was to
be announced, and received from the
hands OF tllej Duke Of Norfolk. the
presiding officer, and III the presence of
the. foreign ambassadors, the gold
medal. Perhaps no American ever
started in tho caTeercf an artist under
Ihopeohattdring auspices: and we can
not wonder that a beginning SO success
full encouraged the young painter to
devote, himself assiduously to study,
with.a yiewSlf returning to his own |
country faliy prepared to Illustrate the !
historical department of the art. :. I'll
Morse spent four years in Europe in
close study and was then obliged to re-
turni to- Americaforlack of means to
caiTyoh his education III the Old World,
He had rot reaclttd the high degree
or. RrodGiency which he had hoped to'
obtain before returning home, hut The
wits possessed of natural talents and
acqamed' Skill which fairly entitled him
to recognition as one of our leading
artisls.I Ellis recognition never came
toylimnhqYever, AMI lis artist life int
this country was series Of sorrowfuh
disspppeiat4nents. He found no oppOr-
ttfi2fty6f titv6tihg himself to the higher,
BRANCHES or his art, and was obliged TOD
confine9 himself entirely to portrait.
Painting rs means of livelihood His
artist career IL thus referred to by Mr..
Tuckermii.A g. 'i'...." ...''
I'AIDEse went abroad under the care
of -.NIlstun. and was the pupil of West
anil Copleyoi Henee he Is naturally re-
garded by a later generation as the,
coB8Getipg bond that Qnites the present
ard the past in the brief annals OF aohr
artist history. But his claim to such
recognition does mot lie altogether. III
the fact 'fhat he was i pioneer; il has
beSB 86fldly evidenced by his constant
devotion q TO the great cause itself. Z
Younger artists speak of him with af-
fectidmand respect because he has ever !,
been 7talolis IN the promotion of a taste !.
for, and, i study Of the fine arts. IIayr
ing entered the field at too early n
period to realize the promise of his
youth, and driven byrcircumstances
from the high aims he cherished, mis-
antbropy was never suffered to grow
out of personal disappointment. He