John Elzy (Sherfield) Morse
1902-1979
John Elzy (Sherfield) Morse
John Elzy Sherfield was born on July 11, 1902 in Crittenden, Kentucky to John A. Sherfield and Emma Jane (Millikan) Sherfield. His elderly father passed away shortly after his birth in 1903. By age 4, John’s widowed mother re-married Daniel Edwin “Bud” Morse and the Morse family left Kentucky leaving behind John’s 5 half brothers and sisters from his father’s first and second marriages (Charles, Augusta, Arthur, James and Lulu Sherfield). The family settled into Hayti, Pemiscot, Missouri. His mother’s union with his step-father produced 3 children (Charles, Walter and Edwin) and John ultimately took on the Morse last name.
Daniel Edwin Morse, John’s step-father passed away by 1920. His mother, widowed again moved the family to Big Prairie, New Madrid, Missouri where John met and fell in love with Flora Ellen Hodges, the daughter of James Samuel Hodges and Mary Irene (Arnold) Hodges. The young couple were married on December 31, 1923 in Sikeston, Missouri. Shortly after the nuptials the couple moved to Anderson, New Madrid, Missouri. This union was blessed with 5 children, all living into adulthood.
Daniel Edwin Morse, John’s step-father passed away by 1920. His mother, widowed again moved the family to Big Prairie, New Madrid, Missouri where John met and fell in love with Flora Ellen Hodges, the daughter of James Samuel Hodges and Mary Irene (Arnold) Hodges. The young couple were married on December 31, 1923 in Sikeston, Missouri. Shortly after the nuptials the couple moved to Anderson, New Madrid, Missouri. This union was blessed with 5 children, all living into adulthood.
John and Flora's Children:
Bill "Billy" Morse
Donald Egugene “Hootie” Morse John Gale “Johnny” Morse 1935-2011 Emma Irene Morse (Neal) 1924-2002 Dorothea Lorene Morse (McClellan) 1926-1993 |
Years later John and Flora moved to Keeler, Michigan where he began working at the Burnett Farms Packing Co. where Flora and their son Johnny came to be employed. He also owned and operated a salvage yard at his residence on Territorial Road in Keeler, Michigan. John and Flora were members of the Sister Lakes Community Church and were married for 56 years until John passed away at Lee Memorial Hospital in Keeler, Michigan on August 12, 1979. Flora passed away many years later on January 13, 1993. The couple are buried together at Keeler Cemetery in Van Buren County, Michigan.
More information on John and Flora
Source:
Biography written by Debbie West
Carolyn and Barbara (McClellan) Burton Family Recollections
United States Census
John E. Morse Obituary
Michigan Death Index 1971-1996
Photo's provided by Carolyn McClellan and Barbara (McClellan) Burton
Biography written by Debbie West
Carolyn and Barbara (McClellan) Burton Family Recollections
United States Census
John E. Morse Obituary
Michigan Death Index 1971-1996
Photo's provided by Carolyn McClellan and Barbara (McClellan) Burton