Elizabeth Morgan, A historical story by Diane Piedt
Do you know the small little triangle park on Kinnickinnic Avenue between Holt Avenue and Morgan Avenue? This little triangle park is called Morgan Park. It is approximately one block north of Thomas More High School and three and one half blocks from my house on Delaware Avenue. It is a quiet little park that Wally Oleson wrote about in the December, 1999 issue of the Bay View Historian newsletter. There is a plaque on the base of the flag pole that reads "Morgan Park, named by the Common Council, May 12, 1927 in recognition of the Public Services of Elizabeth Morgan Public School Teacher". The Milwaukee Common Council authorized and directed to erect the flag pole in Morgan Park at a cost not exceeding $250 in 1928. Who and what had this teacher done to be remembered in a park and have a flagpole erected in her name?
Elizabeth Edith Morgan was born in 1869 in England and immigrated to America in 1873 with her parents. Her father, David, was an iron puddler (a person who converts pig iron into wrought iron with the use of a reverberatory furnace) for the Rolling Mill. Her mother, Sarah, was pictured in the 1929 Bay View High School Oracle yearbook as a Bay View resident for 56 years. Her older brother, John, married Bertha Rising, granddaughter of Elijah Estes, one of the first trustees of the Village of Bay View. Bertha and John had two sons, Horace and Bradley. They lived on Superior Avenue not far from Elizabeth and Ernest. John was a department supervisor for the Illinois Steel Mill. Edward, her middle brother, worked for the W.P.A . during World War II. Her youngest brother, Ernest was an attorney in private practice. Both Sarah (in 1929) and Ernest (in 1946) are buried at Forest Home cemetery in the family plot.
Elizabeth Morgan's death notice in the Milwaukee Journal dated March 31, 1944 stated that she taught for 50 years at Trowbridge School. She retired from Trowbridge School in 1939 at age 70. Miss Morgan was interesting to me since I also taught at Trowbridge School but only for 15 years. She was buried on April 1, 1944 at Forest Home Cemetery in the Morgan family plot which was purchased by her brother, Ernest, in 1929. Her funeral was held at Niemann & Sons funeral parlor.
In 1939, Miss Morgan sued Milton C. Potter, Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools about the mandatory retirement age of 70 and her pension. In the Milwaukee Journal article dated March 30, 1944, it stated that Miss Morgan had an "unsuccessful court fight to prevent her retirement under the Milwaukee teacher retirement law (of 1938) was carried to the supreme court". In the 21st century, many people are trying to retire early, but Elizabeth Morgan wanted to continue teaching past her 70th birthday.
Elizabeth Morgan was a politically minded woman. She was President of the Bay View Women's Civic League for 24 years. In a May 7, 1921 article of the Milwaukee Journal entitled "Buyer's Strike Plan Popular", Miss Morgan agreed with recommending a meat strike of two weeks for her members because the meat prices of the day were considered too high. I wonder what the members of the Women's Civic League would think about the meat prices in 2015.
Elizabeth and Ernest lived on South Shore Drive overlooking Lake Michigan which today is Cupertino Park. They sold their home to Steel Mills Yacht Club which later merged with the South Shore Yacht Club.
It was rumored that Elizabeth Morgan wanted to be an actress, but her father forbade it. She was mentioned in the 1929 Bay View High School Oracle year book as having performed in the play Ten Nights in a Bar-room or Handy Andy. Several students in the 1999 issue of the Bay View Historian reported that Miss Morgan often recited Shakespeare to her students. She wasn't a professional actress but she still loved Shakespeare and the theater.
On a bright sunny day, take a walk and stroll through Morgan Park. Stop and view the flag pole and memorial about the woman who dedicated 50 years to teaching, sued Milwaukee Public Schools, and had a park named after her.
Elizabeth Edith Morgan was born in 1869 in England and immigrated to America in 1873 with her parents. Her father, David, was an iron puddler (a person who converts pig iron into wrought iron with the use of a reverberatory furnace) for the Rolling Mill. Her mother, Sarah, was pictured in the 1929 Bay View High School Oracle yearbook as a Bay View resident for 56 years. Her older brother, John, married Bertha Rising, granddaughter of Elijah Estes, one of the first trustees of the Village of Bay View. Bertha and John had two sons, Horace and Bradley. They lived on Superior Avenue not far from Elizabeth and Ernest. John was a department supervisor for the Illinois Steel Mill. Edward, her middle brother, worked for the W.P.A . during World War II. Her youngest brother, Ernest was an attorney in private practice. Both Sarah (in 1929) and Ernest (in 1946) are buried at Forest Home cemetery in the family plot.
Elizabeth Morgan's death notice in the Milwaukee Journal dated March 31, 1944 stated that she taught for 50 years at Trowbridge School. She retired from Trowbridge School in 1939 at age 70. Miss Morgan was interesting to me since I also taught at Trowbridge School but only for 15 years. She was buried on April 1, 1944 at Forest Home Cemetery in the Morgan family plot which was purchased by her brother, Ernest, in 1929. Her funeral was held at Niemann & Sons funeral parlor.
In 1939, Miss Morgan sued Milton C. Potter, Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools about the mandatory retirement age of 70 and her pension. In the Milwaukee Journal article dated March 30, 1944, it stated that Miss Morgan had an "unsuccessful court fight to prevent her retirement under the Milwaukee teacher retirement law (of 1938) was carried to the supreme court". In the 21st century, many people are trying to retire early, but Elizabeth Morgan wanted to continue teaching past her 70th birthday.
Elizabeth Morgan was a politically minded woman. She was President of the Bay View Women's Civic League for 24 years. In a May 7, 1921 article of the Milwaukee Journal entitled "Buyer's Strike Plan Popular", Miss Morgan agreed with recommending a meat strike of two weeks for her members because the meat prices of the day were considered too high. I wonder what the members of the Women's Civic League would think about the meat prices in 2015.
Elizabeth and Ernest lived on South Shore Drive overlooking Lake Michigan which today is Cupertino Park. They sold their home to Steel Mills Yacht Club which later merged with the South Shore Yacht Club.
It was rumored that Elizabeth Morgan wanted to be an actress, but her father forbade it. She was mentioned in the 1929 Bay View High School Oracle year book as having performed in the play Ten Nights in a Bar-room or Handy Andy. Several students in the 1999 issue of the Bay View Historian reported that Miss Morgan often recited Shakespeare to her students. She wasn't a professional actress but she still loved Shakespeare and the theater.
On a bright sunny day, take a walk and stroll through Morgan Park. Stop and view the flag pole and memorial about the woman who dedicated 50 years to teaching, sued Milwaukee Public Schools, and had a park named after her.