Percy T. Morse, Founding Member of Norwood Odd Fellows Lodge

Percy T. Morse (1860-1892)

Percy T. Morse was born on January 22, 1860 in South Dedham, His parents were Francis Morse (1821-1885) and his second wife, Lucie Grogan Morse (1830-1913). This second marriage brought three children into the family: Belle L. in 1859, Percy T. in 1860, and Jennie in 1868. Francis Morse had two children from his first marriage.

Following in the footsteps of that branch of the family tree, Francis Morse was a miller, with his home and mill at the southern edge of South Dedham, later Norwood, on today’s abandoned Water Street.

Francis & Lucie Morse home and mill on Water St.

Percy Morse was not involved in the family business. He listed his occupation as a tannery worker and a piper.

On September 13, 1887, Percy Morse married Cora Whiting of Dedham. Cora Whiting Morse was a music teacher. The couple had two children: Royal Morse, born in 1888, and Belle Morse, born in 1890.

Percy Morse was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Tiot Lodge, No. 50 which was founded in 1886. For a time, the fraternal organization met in Village Hall. Much later, in 1913, the Odd Fellows dedicated their new hall, a building designed by Norwood architect William Upham. It still stands today at the corner of Washington and Vernon Streets.

Percy Morse died on August 30, 1892 of spinal meningitis. He was 32 years old. He was interred in the Morse family plot in lot 119.