Putnam patriot., 1926-09-17
Jedidiah Morse Also Had Illus ous Son, inA eltor of the
 Telegraph
Deseenlants Still Live In Woodstoek
 and Putnam

J idiah Morse, born in Woodstock in Iiul. died in New Haven In 1926. was the father of Samuel Finley Breeze Morse. inventor of the teie. graph. and was known as the Father of American Geography. His de- seendants still live in Woodstock and Putnam. A recent issue of the New York" Tribune" had the following about the man who went from Wood stock and, with his illustrious son. be- came nationally famous:
 The Father of American Geogra- phy." strangely enough, was also the father of the man who invented teleg raphy. His name was Jedidiah Morse. He was born at Woodstock, Conn.,. in I76I. and died in New Haven, Conn, in 1920, several years before his illus trfous son. Samuel Finley Breeze Morse. startled the world by his in yentlJn of the telegraph. says Quaker O'Taylor in National Republic.
 Became Minister
 Jedidiah Morse entered the Congre- gatiaual ministry after graduating from Tale in l7s3, and also taught sch 1l for time. He became greatly interested in the work of ciyilizing and Christanizing the Indians. who, at that time. were scattered throughout the east The Secretary of War se- lectei him to visit the tribes and make report showing their eoQditons. and to make suggestions for improvement. Two winters were spent in this work.
 Dr. Morse was one of the busiest mea in New England. In i7s4 he published a book, Geography Made Easv." This was the first work Of chat Kind published in the United States. Subsequently he published American Geography The Ameri- can Gazetteer and Elements of Geog- raphy.a The wide circulation oI these books gained for him the title of 'Fa- ther of American Geography.
 h his Geography Made Easy Dr. Morse, in addition Co varied geogra- phical information. comments on cit ies. towns and states. which l42 years later afford curious interest in the present day of big things.
 or New York
 Of New York he says: "The City of New York is a mile long and quar- ter of a mile broad. at medium. It contains about 2.000 houses and l2.- O0u inhabitants. Many of the houses are elegant The people of the state are more luxurious and disslpated in thair morals and manners than in the New England states. and that happy mcdiocrity among its inhabitants Is not preserved. but as an increase oE luxury invariably marks an increase of refinement the inhabitants of New YorE are more polished iu their nan uurs and of an easier and more polite address.
 Connecticut Towns
 Continuing his notes on cities this carly historian says:
 "The cities of New Haven and Hart ford are reekoned the capitals of this state. The former is large, neat, reg ular and well built town of about 5od houses lt has a convenient harbour. and carries on an advantageous and increasing trade. It has three Pres byterian meeting houses, an Episco- palian church. an elegant state house, college and chapel, standing near pr on the pubiic square. The college tdIiiee is called Connecticut Hall. The old building called i ale College. from whence the university was named, is demolished Tn, president and ten fellows constitute tbe body corporate and polite 0i Nas College. it has a. professor of divinity, treasurer. foar tutots. and about 26o students IiarJ- ford stands ou the Connecticut River and contains between lHU ana 3#h bou es. The tovn of Nethof ileid la q most luxuriant soil, and is remark able for the production of onions. h.