Prominent among the early lawyers of Wright county was John L Morse, of Belmond. He came from Michigan and located at Belmond in the spring of 1866. He was born in Cortland county, New York, May 13, 1815. At seventeen years of age he moved to Oakland county, Michigan, where he grew to manhood. Prior to coming to Iowa, Judge Morse served is a member of the Michigan State Legislature and as probate judge of Ionia county. In 1868 he was elected county judge of Wright county and served one year and in the capacity of county auditor by virtue of said office. In I870 he was elected county auditor and held that office until January 1, 1876. He represented the district composed of Hamilton, Wright and Humboldt counties in the sixteenth General Assembly. Judge Morse commenced the practice in this county in 1869, and continued actively engaged in it for sixteen years.