Leonard Harry Morse

photographer L H Morse
What Cheer, IA
Contributed by the family of William Birdsall Bullers
and Great Granddaughters of John Lewis “Pop” Bullers

Leonard Harry Morse
(1832 - 1912)

Timeline sources: US census, city directories, Craig’s Camera, Pioneer Photographers by Palmquist and Kailbourn

1832 Aug 16
Worchester, MA, Leonard Harry Morse is born to Sylvanus Morse and Elizabeth Harrington
1850 Aug 19
Worchester, MA, UA census, Morse at 19 is listed as a daguerreotypist with his older brother Augustus
1852
Worchester, MA, partnered with G Adams as daguerrian at Brinley Row
1854
Worchester, MA, as daguerrian as 188 Main st; boarding at 43 Salem
1855, 1856
Worchester, MA, city directory NOT listed
1856
Richmond VA, city directory, working at Whitehurst’s gallery at 77 Main (Cannot find confirmation for this)

1856 - 1861
Davenport, IA, city directory as photographer with Morse and Egbert cor of Brady and 2nd (Source: Pioneer Photographers by Palmquist and Kailbourn)
1860 Mar 13
Davenport, IA, L H Morse marries Anna Marie Shepherd
1861
Davenport, IA, city directory as photographer at s e cor of 2nd and Main
1863
Davenport, IA, city directory as photographer at Davenport’s Block, Main and 2nd
1867
Davenport, IA, city directory no occupation listed; res Main and Spring; East Davenport
1868
Davenport, IA, city directory as photographer; res Main and Spring
1870
Davenport, IA, city directory as photographer with P Olmsted and Morse; res Perry
1876 - 1878
Davenport, IA, city directory as photographer at 509 Brady

1879
Davenport, IA, city directory not available
1879 May 08
Rock Island, IL, state register, L H Morse marries Mary Elizabeth Russell
1880, 1881
Davenport, IA, city directory NOT listed
1885
Farmington, IA, Iowa state census, as photographer
1900 Jun 06
Garfield, IA, US census as restaurant mamager
1909
Waterloo, IA, city directory NOT listed
1910 Apr 22
Waterloo, IA, US census as retired; city directory shows res 1311 w 2nd
1912 Feb 17
Waterloo, IA, state records, Leonard harry Morse dies

Nothing has been found so far that documents exactly when Morse was in What Cheer, IA. It was probably a temporary studio during the time his main studio was in Davenport, IA, as they are only about 90 miles apart.

Here’s a recap of locations where Morse apparently ran his own studio
188 Main Worchester, MA as daguerrian 1854
Brady and 2nd st, Davenport, IA, as Morse and Egbert, 1856 - 1861
2nd and Main, Davenport, IA, as Morse, 1861 - 1863
Main and Spring, Davenport, IA, as Morse, 1867 - 1868
Davenport, IA, as P Olmsted and Morse, 1870
509 Brady, Davenport, IA, 1876 - 1878
Farmington, IA, as Morse, 1885
No records after 1885 show Morse as a photographer.

The style of the card at the top indicates it is probably from about 1875 to 1880.

The style of this card indicates it is from about 1870
Contributed by the family of William Birdsall Bullers and Great Granddaughters of John Lewis “Pop” Bullers

CDV found on auction site
Unfortunately, the reverse showing the photographer name is not available.

photographer: Morse
What Cheer, IA
example from contributor R Miller

photographer:L H Morse
What Cheer, IA
example from contributor R Miller

photographer:L H Morse
What Cheer, IA
example from contributor R Miller

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