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Morse-Elliott Family Collection
Ms53
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Title: Morse-Elliot Family Collection
Date: 1832-2012
Date (bulk): 1859-1885
Collection Number: Ms53
Location:
Erickson Vault
Extent:
0.3 linear feet
Contributing Institution:
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95240
Language of Material: Records written in English
Abstract: The material in the Morse-Elliott Family Collection provides a picture of early pioneer life in and around Lodi, California.
The collection consists of documents related to family business ventures, including taxes, sales receipts, and various kinds
of land documents, as well as a family history and genealogy.
Access Information
Collection is open for research by appointment.
Conditions of Use
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Preferred citation: [Item name], Morse-Elliott Family Collection, Ms53, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum,
Lodi, California.
The story of the Morse-Elliott Family Collection begins with New Hampshire natives Edmund R. Elliott (1804-1884) and his wife,
Sarah S. Elliott (1811-1881), who participated in America's westward migration in two stages. The first saw them move to Compton,
Illinois, where they raised eight children, among them Wilson Edmund (1832-1912) and Eveline (Eva) Sarah (1834-1915). The
second stage started in 1853, when Wilson migrated to California and took up residence on land near Lodi. His father, Edmund,
followed five years later and was soon joined by other family members, which by then included not only Eva, but also her husband,
Lorenzo Marion Morse (1830-1899), and the couple's son, Fred Marion Morse (1857-1881). The Morse family became pillars of
the Lodi area. They initially settled on a farm near Bear Creek, where two more children were born: Edmund Elliott (1861-1945)
and Hattie (1864-1921). Then, in 1867, they moved onto land about three miles south of Lodi on Cherokee Lane, where they planted
watermelons, grain, apricots, and peaches, and were among the first farmers in the area to cultivate Tokay grapes. In addition,
Lorenzo raised thoroughbred horses and with a partner operated a racing track near what eventually became Micke Grove Regional
Park. Lorenzo's son, Edmund, continued the family's tradition of involvement in agriculture and business, not only developing
his own fruit packing and shipping company, but also helping to establish the First National Bank of Lodi, the Farmer's Mutual
Insurance Company, and the Lodi Investment Company. In 1888, Edmund married Florence Heaton (d. 1940), with whom he had two
daughters: Evelyn (1888-1966) and Genevieve (1893-1946).
The Morse-Elliott Family Collection spans the years 1832-2012, with the bulk falling between 1859 and 1885. It consistes of
three series: 1. Papers of Edmund Elliott, 2. Papers of Lorenzo Marion Morse, and 3. Family History. The collection includes
documents related to the business operations of the Elliott-Morse Ranch, including promissory notes, receipts, land deeds,
and tax documents; a family history; genealogical material; correspondence; and Eva Morse's diary of her family's overland
trip to California in 1859.
Elliott, Edmund R., 1804-1884
Elliott, Sarah S., 1811-1881
Elliott, Wilson Edmund, 1832-1912
Morse, Cora Eveline, d. 1869
Morse, Edmund Elliott, 1861-1945
Morse, Eveline Sarah Elliott, 1834-1915
Morse, Evelyn, 1888-1966
Morse, Florence Heaton, d. 1940
Morse, Fred Marion, 1857-1881
Morse, Genevieve, 1893-1846
Morse, Hattie, 1864-1921
Morse, Lorenzo Marion, 1830-1899
Skinner, John Carroll, 1885-1966
Horse Breeders--United States
Lodi Region (Calif.)--Biography
Overland journeys to the Pacific
San Joaquin County (Calif.)--Genealogy
San Joaquin County (Calif.)--History, Local