The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-05-14
DEATH OF GARDNER MORSE
MS LONG IND USEFUL CAREER
CLOSED EARLY THIS MORNING.

He Was Identified With the Material,
Political and Religious Interests of His
City-Kind, but Firm, the Influence of
His Life Was Felt by All.
Gardner Morse, one of the oldest and
best known residents of this city, died
at his residence 2S7 York street, this
morning at 1885 o'clock, in the eighty
eighth year of his age.
Mr.. Morse had been ill for several
months, having sustained paralytic
stroke which, in addition to the effects
of his extreme age, kept him confined
to his home.
He was born at Marlboro, Mass,
April Il, 1909, at the farm which had
been the homestead of his ancestors
Tor nearly two hundred years, and is
still the residence of their ancestors
He was the twelfth of thirteen children
born to Stephen and Rebecca (How)
Morse. AT the age of sixteen he left
nome to enter the service of Timothy
and Stephen Bishop, who were then
prominent merchants of New Haven,
and were located on State street Af-
ter six years he left their employment
| in order to establish a similar bust
ness on his own account in partner
ship with the late Charles Peterson,
under the firm name of Morse & Pet
erson. The new firm located in one of
the stores now occupied by Wallace B.
Fem & Co., and Mr.. Morse continued
in business there for six years. In
1887, being elected collector of the city,
town, and state taxes for New Haven,
he severed his connection with mercan-
tile life. For the next twenty years he
devoted himself to the successful con-
duct of the collectorship. to which he
Twas annually reelected. He was rec
ognized as a prudent and skillful ex-
ecutive officer, and received many i'm
portant and responsible trusts from cor
porations and from private individuals.
The agencies of several fire insurance
vompanies in Connecticut, New York,
and Pennsylvania were placed in his
hands.
But he had been especially honored
and trusted as an administrator of es-.
tates. He had thus stood in fiduciary
| relation to the possessions of host of
prominent men Of the former genera
| ton, among others to the real estate
properties of Titus Street, James Hunt,
Joel Root, Samuel Ward, William III.
Elliot, Sidney Hull, D. w. Davenport,
Henry Ed, Admiral Gregory, j. d.
Beecher, John NJ, Garfield, Elam Hull,
Levi Gilbert, Nathaniel A. Bacon Elial
7. Foot, and William w. Boardman.
Many of these trusts, whose original
owners are long since departed, remain,
still unexpired, in the guardianship of
Colonel Morse.
In the year 1852, he was the first of
the three trustees to whom the town
delegated the disposal of the old aims
house property, and in all the financial
transactions by which the new aims
house was established he took a lead
ing part. Again, when the property of
the present almshouse was conveyed
to said trusteeship, to be used in the
purchase of the new Springside Town
Farm, Colonel Morse was one of the
principal managers. The trustees who
We're associated with him in 1852, were
Henry White and Wyllys Peck, who
are now both deceased, and who have
been succeeded by H. M. Welch and
Luzon B. Morris.
Mr.. Morse had also been foremost in
directing the expansion of the city into
outlying districts. In connection with
the late John w. Mansfield he was
extensively engaged in the purchase
and improvement of various unoccu-
pied tracts and in preparing the same
for habitation, and for participation in
urban duties and privileges. That por-
nf +Jo l1,i of Dc, ,.1r
street from Oak street to Davenport
avenue, and now adorned by the
Church of the Ascension, and by many
attractive private residences, owes
nearly it's entire development to the
enterprise of these gentlemen.
Mr.. Morse had been for twenty
years an acting trustee and member
of the loaning committee of the New
Haven Savings bank; also for many
years one of its vice presidents. He
was a trustee of the town deposit fund
for several years. In the city govern
ment he was fire commissioner for
twelve years GS62 to 1874}. With the
government of the state, Mr.. Morse
had also held official connection, and
it was in that service that he meri-
toriously won his familiar appellation
OF Colonel. IhOSe VINO are OLD
enough to remember the former militia
organization of Connecticut will recall
the fact that it's degree of military dis
cipline was very fuctuating quantity.
The year 1885 was such time in the
history of the Second regiment when
Gardner Morse, then not a member of
the organization, was elected colonel
and the late Minott 4. Osborn was
chosen major. Colonel Morse insisted
on the fulfilment of the law to the
very letter and he was ably seconded
by the genial major At the cost of
much persistent effort Colonel Morse
compelled attendance upon training day
and brought his regiment into a high
state of military order and perfection
Mr.. Morse's success in life was due
to the same qualities that enabled him
to discipline the disorganized militia.
He united quick perception, prompt and
accurate judgment to an extraordinary
capacity for administration, while the
whole was controlled by a firm will,
tempered by good cheer and kindly
sympathy.
Mr.. Morse was was member of the
parish of Trinity church and was for
many years vestryman, clerk and pres
ident. He also performed the duties of
| +r1-Stea and trea STreT of Trinity churc h