Lee Morse

Lena Corinne Taylor was born in Portland, Oregon on Novmeber 30, 1887. Her father, Pleasant John Taylor, was a pastor in Portland. Lee had eleven brothers and sisters. In 1915 she married a local woodworker, Elmer Morse, and had a son the next year. By 1918 she was singing professionally at silent movie houses, and by 1920 she left Elmer and toured the Pacific Northwest territory singing in all the small towns. Her father was a delegate to the 1920 Democratic Convention in San Francisco, and he took Lee with him.

In San Francisco Lee sang at a convention meeting in the Hotel St. Francis, and famous vaudeville producer Will King signed her to a contract touring the west coast vaudville circuit. Although she was just 5 feet tall, and less than 100 pounds, her voice had a tremendous range, covering low notes that most girls could not reach. She began recording music on the Pathe label in 1924, and the music offered here is mostly from the 78rpm records. In 1935 Elmer filed for divorce, and took custody of their son, but a year later he died of Scarlet Fever. Lee continued singing until her death in 1954 at the age of 57, but her popularity was greatest during the 1920's and 1930's.