1908 May – Aunt (Sophie Morris) – Str. City of Cleveland
POST MARK #1: CLEVELAND, OH STATION B MAY 16 (ill.)
POST MARK #2: DENVER, COLO. MAY 18 3 PM 1908
FROM:
Aunt
TO:
Master Lewis Morrison
1024 Lafayette St.
Denver, Colorado
WRITTEN CONTENT:
May 16 ‘08
Dear Lewis,
I miss you very much. These are the boats that go to Detroit and up the Lakes. We first had a thunder storm. Write me soon, + tell me all that you are doing. Aff Aunt
Master – Lewis Morrison
Lewis was born Lewis Richard Morrison on 27 Feb 1896 to William Barrett (1863-1949) and Mary Louise Morrison (nee Morris) (1864-1940) in Denver, CO. He had two siblings: Fortunee Louisa (1891-1984) and Barrett Whitney (1894-1985). In May 1908, when his Aunt mailed this postcard, Lewis was 12 years old and living at 1024 Lafayette St. in Denver, CO.
The house on Lafayette St., was built in 1906 and remains there today. His dad must have had it built for his young family. It is a large house/mansion located in Denver’s exclusive Cheeseman Park neighborhood. (6 beds; 5 baths, 4,654 sqft @ $1.7M – 2020 price).
Cheesman Park: In the late 19th century, the land that is now Cheesman Park was Prospect Hill Cemetery. The cemetery opened in 1858 and the first burial occurred the following year. As time went on different areas of the cemetery were designated for different religions, ethnic groups and fraternal organizations and a segregated section at the south end for the Chinese. By the late 1880s the cemetery was rarely used and in great disrepair, becoming an eyesore in what was becoming one of the most exclusive parts of the quickly growing city.
Real estate developers soon began to lobby for a park to be placed in its place, rather than this unused cemetery. Families were given (90) days to remove the bodies of their loved ones to other locations. Those who could afford this began to transfer bodies to other cemeteries throughout the city and elsewhere. Due to the large number of graves in the Roman Catholic section off to the east, the city sold the 40-acre area to the archdiocese, which was then named Mount Calvary Cemetery. The Chinese section of the graveyard was given over to the large population of Chinese who lived in the “Hop Alley” district of Denver. Most of these bodies were then removed and shipped to their homeland of China. Several years went by while the city waited for citizens to remove the remains of their families, but few did. One reason for this was that a majority of the people buried in the cemetery were vagrants, criminals, and paupers, which is why most bodies, more than 5,000, remained unclaimed.
In 1893, the city awarded a contract to an undertaker to remove these remains. The undertaker was to provide a “fresh” coffin for each body and then transfer it to the Riverside Cemetery at a cost of $1.90 each ($55.00 in 2020). However, the unscrupulous undertaker soon found a way to make an even larger profit. Rather than utilizing full-size coffins for adults, he used child-sized caskets that were just one foot by 3½ feet long. Hacking the bodies up, the undertaker sometimes used as many as three caskets for just one body. In their haste, body parts and bones were literally strewn everywhere in a disorganized mess. Their haste also allowed souvenir hunters to help themselves to items from the caskets. The city canceled the contract and began an investigation. Although numerous graves had not yet been reached and others sat exposed, a new contract for moving the bodies was never awarded.
The long-disused cemetery was finally converted into a park and opened in 1907. The Cheesman Park neighborhood is one of the oldest in Denver, with city plats dating to as far back as 1868 and was annexed by the City of Denver in 1883, though development was slow at first. By 1915, with the completion of the park, the neighborhood was mostly developed with large mansions for some of the city’s wealthiest people.
Between the time Lewis received the postcard from his Aunt and Mar 1909, the Morrison family moved from their Lafayette St. home to a house at 648 Humboldt St.. This house was also in the exclusive Cheesman neighborhood and was built around the same time as their previous residence. But offered the family similar space with more bedrooms (8 beds; 4 baths, 4,264 sqft @ $1.6M – 2020 price).
Upon completing high school in Denver (~ 1914), Lewis enrolled in the University of Colorado in Boulder. Based on his eventual career path, his area of study would have to have been in the mining and/or oil industry. This however was to be short-lived. 5 Jun 1917 – Lewis completes his WW1 draft registration card. It describes him as medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair. 15 Aug 1917 – Lewis is enlisted in Company E of the Kansas 353rd Infantry Regiment as a 2nd Lt. and shipped to Ft. Riley Kansas for training. Typically a 2nd Lt. would lead a Platoon/Troop of about 15 – 45 men sectioned into squads/sections and fire teams.
In Europe, the 353rd Regiment joins the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in the IV Corps, 89th Infantry Division, 177th Infantry Brigade. 15 Sep 1918 – During the last day of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, Lewis was reported as MIA (missing in action). He would eventually return to his company after suffering a gunshot wound to his right shoulder. For his injury, Lewis is awarded the Wound Chevron, the predecessor of the Purple Heart which was not introduced until 1932. 11 Nov 1918 @ 11:00 AM —”the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”—a ceasefire is signed with Germany. The “Great War” and “The war to end all wars”, was over. 17 Nov 1918 – Within a week, after spending months recovering from his gunshot wound, Lewis, along with most of his company, are shipped stateside. 17 Mar 1919 – After serving approximately 18 months in the U.S. Army, Lewis is honorably discharged where he had first enlisted, Ft. Riley Kansas.
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel – This was a major World War I battle fought from 12–15 September 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and French troops under the command of Army General John J. Pershing of the United States against German positions.
Weather reports stated: “Visibility: Heavy driving wind and rain during parts of day and night. Roads: Very muddy.” This would pose a challenge to the Americans when the order to advance was given. In some parts of the road, the men were almost knee-deep in mud and water. After five days of rain, the ground was nearly impassable to both the American tanks and infantry. Many of the tanks were wrecked by water leaking into their engines, while others got stuck in mud flows. Some of the infantrymen developed early stages of trench foot, even before the trenches were dug.
The attack at the Saint-Mihiel was part of a plan by Pershing in which he hoped that the Americans would break through the German lines and capture the fortified city of Metz. It was the first and only offensive launched mainly by the United States Army in World War I, and the attack caught the Germans in the process of retreating. This meant that their artillery was out of place and the American attack, coming up against disorganized German forces, proved more successful than expected. The Saint-Mihiel attack established the stature of the U.S. Army in the eyes of the French and British forces, and again demonstrated the critical role of artillery and aircraft during World War I and the difficulty of supplying such massive armies while they were on the move. The U.S. attack faltered as artillery and food supplies were left behind on the muddy roads. The attack on Metz was not realized, as the Supreme Allied Commander Ferdinand Foch ordered the American troops to march towards Sedan and Mézières, which would lead to the more deadly Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
During the Battle of Saint-Mihiel the American/French suffered 7,000 casualties (4,500 KIA and 2,500 WIA) while the Germans suffered 22,500 casualties (2,000 KIA, 5,500 WIA and 15,000 POWs). These losses would pale in comparison to the number suffered during the upcoming Meuse-Argonne Offensive. During this single engagement, both sides combined suffered over 50,000 deaths.
Upon his return from the Army Lewis, moved back into his parent’s home in Denver, along with his sister, Fortunee. For the next couple of years, Lewis held several entry level jobs (Clerk, Timekeeper, Agent) for a number of different local businesses (Gates Rubber Company, Provident Life and Trust, Equitable Life Assurance Society). It was during this time that he began to court a young woman named Genevieve Carrie DuBois (1896-1974). They eventually married in Denver on 24 May 1924 and would remain married for the remainder of their lives. The couple had (3) daughters: Rosalie Lewis (1925-1990); Barbara (~1926-?) and Jeanette (~1934-?).
In the late 1920’s, Lewis’ career began to focus his sales career on the oil/mining construction industry. In 1931, the family relocated to Kansas City, MO for a few years and returned in 1933. In 1951, Lewis went into business with T.A. (Al) Pelsue. Pelsue was a pioneer in the field of confined space ventilators. Early in the post W.W.II period, he began to develop a one-piece ventilating-heater for use to ventilate telephone manholes. In the early 1950s, he was awarded the first of many patents, and the technology was the basis of his partnership with Lewis. The Morrison, Pelsue Company (MoPeCo) was founded in 1951. He sold his interest to Lewis in 1962 and he held the position of president until his retirement in 1967.
Lewis passed away on 28 Jun 1973 at the age of 77. Genevieve would later join her husband in Dec 1974.
Aunt (Sophie Cornelia Morris) – Author
Given that Lewis’ father, William B., was an only child, the only possible Aunt that could have sent the postcard would have been his mother’s older and only sister, Sophie. She was born Sophie Cornelia Morris (17 Aug 1857 – 08 Dec 1927) in Cleveland, OH to Lewis R. (1831-1877) and Mary L. Morris (nee Stillman) making her (7) years older than Lewis’ mom, Mary.
In March 1864, tragedy strikes the Morris family. The family loses Sophie’s younger brothers, Richard H. (8) and Thomas E. (< 1) to measles. Both succumbing to the disease within two weeks of each other.
Between 1867 and 1870, Lewis Morris relocates the family from Cleveland to Detroit. There he establishes the firm of Morris and Davenport which is in the shipping and storage business. From the time the family arrived until Lewis death in 1877, the family resides at the historic Michigan Exchange Hotel at the Corner of Jefferson and Shelby.
Between 1881 and 1890, Mary and Sophie move to New York City. Where Sophie works as a music teacher and Mary has no apparent occupation.
On 31 Oct 1889, at the age of 32, Sophie travels to Europe. On 3 Jun 1890, she applies for a US Passport at the US Legation in Berlin, Germany. She states that she desires “the passport for the purpose of study and traveling in Europe”. The application describes her height as 5’ 5 3/4”, high forehead, blue eyes, straight nose, medium mouth, normal chin, brown hair, medium complexion and an oval face. The way that Sophie signed her last name, Morris, shares a striking resemblance to the handwriting that addressed the postcard to Lewis Morrison further supporting the proposition that it was her that mailed to postcard to him.
The 1900 census again shows Sophie living with her mother Mary at 903 7th Ave. in Manhattan, N.Y. and continuing her career as a music teacher.
On 22 Jul 1906, Mary passes away at the age of 69. It had not been an easy life for Mary. She lost 3 of her 5 children, son Fred died at 34, and became a single mother at a fairly young age. She was interned at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. in the Morris family plot along with her husband and three sons.
In 1908, shortly after her mother’s passing Sophie moves to Denver, CO, in order to be near her younger sister, Mary, and her nieces and nephews. At this point, after losing her parents and three brothers, Mary is her last remaining family. In early 1908, Sophie takes a trip back to Cleveland, OH and on 16 May, purchases a postcard and sends it back to her nephew, Master Lewis Morrison.
Sophie would remain in Denver until her death on 08 Dec 1927 at the age of 70. She also had her remains shipped back to Cleveland and interned in the Morris family plot with her father, mother and three brothers.
Str. City of Cleveland
City of Cleveland III was one of the finest passenger liners to ever sail the Great Lakes — as well as one of the more unfortunate. She was part of the storied Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Co. fleet, and was launched at Detroit Ship Building Co. in Wyandotte, Mich. At the time of her launch, the 402-foot steamer was the largest in the D&C fleet, ushering in a new era of prosperity and elegance for the company. She was designed to carry 4,500 passengers, with sleeping accommodations for 1,500. She was built for the Detroit and Cleveland overnight run. As her name would suggest, she was the third vessel in the D&C fleet to carry the name City of Cleveland, though the “III” was not added to her name until 1912, when the City of Detroit III joined the fleet.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Length: 420 ft.
Beam: 54 ft.
Draft: 22 ft.
Installed Power: Incline compound steam engine producing 6000 HP. Coal fired burners that were converted to oil in 1950.
CHRONOLOGY:
1907 Jan 5 – Construction begins at Detroit Ship Building Co. in Wyandotte, MI.
1907 May 17 – Caught fire during construction at the shipyard which delayed her debut. This was originally slated for June 30. Despite two fireboats and onshore firefighting equipment, the only things that could be salvaged were her hull and machinery.
1908 Apr 27 – C-III makes her trial trip.
1908 May 18 – Aunt Sophie mails the postcard from Cleveland to her nephew, Lewis, in Denver. From the contents of the postcard, it is not clear if Aunt Sophie is on or had recently taken a voyage. Regardless, it was definitely not on C-III.
1950 Jun 26 @ 6:16 AM – C-III is damaged in a collision with the Norwegian freighter Ravnefjell in fog off Harbor Beach, Mich., in Lake Huron. Four people were killed when the freighter crashed into the C-III‘s port side cabins, near the stern. Her hull remained intact, however, and she was able to continue onto Detroit. Capt. Rudolph Kiessling was found to have not only been “speeding” at 16 miles per hour through foggy conditions, but also traveling too close to shore when heading south — the C-III was about 4 miles from shore when rules required it to be 10. By this time, D&C’s business had all but evaporated thanks to the advent of the interstate system and the rise of airline travel. As a result, rather than repair her, she was laid up and never sailed again. She sat partially mangled at a dock in Detroit, and then was moved across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario.
1953 Jun – C-III floats off after coming loose from her moorings during a storm and ran aground at Hennepin Point.
1954 C-III is sold to Ventimiglia Demolition Co. of Detroit to be partially dismantled and converted into a crane barge for use in building the St. Lawrence Seaway.
1954 Oct 20 – C-III catches fire again and partially sinks.
1956 – C-III is finally scrapped in 1956 in Buffalo, N.Y. — a fate that has also met her four remaining sister ships of the D&C fleet that same year.
Rabbit Hole #1: The Morrisons
Lewis’ mother was born Mary Lyman Morris on 5 Dec 1864 to the same parents as her sister Sophie. Her childhood was very similar to Sophie’s, being raised in Cleveland, OH with a very large Morris and Stillman extended families. In her early teens, the family would move to Detroit and her father would pass away when she was 19. Unlike her sister and mother, Mary would remain in Detroit, working as a domestic at various residences until eventually meeting and marrying Lewis’s father, William, at the age of 23, and moving to Denver, CO.
William Barrett was born 8 Apr 1863 in Warren, PA to Jason Asbury (1828-1865) and Louise Lyman (nee Whitney) Morrison (1836 – ??). Jason, like his father Abjiah, was in the mercantile business in Warren. Tragically, on 15 May 1865, at the young age of just 36, William’s father passes away leaving his young wife Louise, just 26, to raise their son, 2, on her own. She remains in Warren at the family home and making ends meet by taking in boarders and teaching the piano.
In 1877, Louise and William, (14), move to Denver, CO. There she purchases a house and continues to take in boarders and working as a piano teacher in order to support her and her son. At this time, William is 17 years old and working as a clerk at a local pharmacy.
On 30 Apr 1890, Louise applies for a passport in Boston, MA requesting to temporarily go abroad. It was granted on 01 May. The application describes her height as 5’ 2 1/2”, round forehead, dark brown eyes, medium nose, medium mouth, round chin, iron gray or turning gray hair, medium complexion and a medium face. There is no indication as to her travel destinations or how long she plans to be abroad. It may have been a lengthy trip given the fact she fails to appear in the Denver Directory from 1889 to 1892. This timing also coincides with a big life event for William.
On 19 May 1888, William marries Mary L. Morris in Detroit, MI where Mary had been working as a domestic. In attendance was George H. Batchelder of Denver, CO and Mary Christie of Detroit, MI. In the marriage registration, Mary lists the names of both her parents as “unknown”. Even though her father, Lewis R., had passed away in Detroit eleven years prior and her mother, Mary (same name) was presumably living in New York city with her sister Sophie. Another interesting question is how does William, who was living and working in Denver and has no obvious connections to Detroit, find, court and then marry Mary? William and Mary remained married until her death on 18 May 1940. They were married for 52 years and had three children: Fortunee (1891-1984), Barrett (1894-1985) and Lewis (1896-1973).
In 1883, William began his career in banking as a bookkeeper for the State National Bank and would retire 50 years later, in 1933, as the Vice Chairman of the Board for the US National Bank, a predecessor for USBank.
During their later years, William and Mary were prodigious travelers having made journeys to Cuba (1926, S.S. Cuba), Australia (1928, R.M.S. Niagara, and S.S. Matsonia), the United Kingdom (1930, S.S. Baltic), New York (1933, S.S. Santa Cecilia) and South America (1937, S.S. Santa Lucia). During WWII, the U.S. and U.K. governments requisitioned the majority of these ships to act as troop transports from the U.S. to Europe. Two of them, R.M.S. Niagara and S.S. Santa Lucia, were eventually sunk by either torpedoes or mines.
In 1940, Mary passes away at the age of 75. William would follow her nine years later. On Saturday, 21 May 1949, William died from injuries suffered after a fall from the second story of his home. His daughter, Fortunee, told police that she found him after returning home from a walk in Cheesman Park. He was 86 years old. Both William B. and Mary were interned in Mary’s maternal grandparent’s family plot, Stillman, at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, OH.
Fortunee Lousia Morrison (1891-1984) was Lewis’ older sister. Her middle name came from her paternal grandmother, Lousia Lyman Morrison (nee Whitney). From all outside appearances, she was a very loyal and dedicated daughter. Like her Aunt Sophie, Fortunee never marries, but decides to take care of her parents for the rest of their lives.
However, this did not keep Fortunee from living an interesting and productive life. After graduating high school, she held several stenographer/secretarial jobs. In the early 1920s, while in her late 20s, she landed an entry level position at a local brokerage firm. By 1932, she was promoted to the position of broker at Boardman, Kennedy, a local firm that specialized in wholesale securities, a predecessor to investment banks. In 1940, she earns more then her younger brother Lewis: $2,646 per year to $2,000 per year ($45K v. $37K in 2020 dollars). She held these types of positions at various local firms until she retired in the early 1940s, presumably after the death of her mother and in order to care of her aging father. Shortly after the passing of her father, the house on Franklin St. was sold. She remained in the Denver area until her death in 1984. She was interned with her parents and her maternal great-grandparent, Stillman, at their family plot at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, OH.
Rabbit Hole #2: Elva Louie Jessup
Other than living at 1024 Lafayette St. after the Morrison family moved to Humboldt St., Elva has absolutely no connection with Lewis or any of his family members. However, she did have an interesting if not a bit confusing life.
The most significant question, based on various records, is the date of her birth. One could conclude that the records are for two or more different individuals. However, there proves to be too many other consistencies to make it a mere coincidence.
1880 Census – Richland Twp., Clarion County, Pennsylvania
This census indicates that Elva E. (12) is living with her father, Francis, mother, Nancy L. (56) and sister, Eda M. (14). This would make Elva’s birth year ~ 1868.
Inconsistencies with future documents are Elva’s birth year and middle initial and Nancy’s middle initial. These items can be reasonably explained by census-taker error.
1900 Census – Denver City, Colorado
In 1900, Elva (31) is living with her husband Alvin L. Jessop (40), whom she married in 1895. For both, it would be their second marriage. At the time of the marriage, Elva’s last name was Moore and she had an 8-year-old daughter, Eda L., from her previous marriage. In this census, Nancy J. Gayetty (56) is indicated as the head of the household. Also living there is: Eda L. (13, daughter), Eda M. Adams (34, widowed sister); Elva G. Adams (5, niece) and numerous other boarders. This would make Elva’s birth year ~ 1869 which is consistent with the 1880 census.
Inconsistencies in this record are Alvin’s last name is misspelled, the correct spelling is Jessup. Also, Elva’s name is recorded as Leois E., which is likely a misspelling of Louie E.. Other records show that Elva consistently transposes her first and middle names.
1910 Census – Denver City, Colorado
In 1910, Elva is living in Morrison’s old house at 1024 Lafayette St. Alvin is working as an agent at a fire insurance company. All the extended family residences from the 1900 census are still living with Elva at this new address. However, there are major inconsistencies, especially with respect to age: Alvin L. – 53 versus 50; Elva L. – 38 versus 41; Eda – 20 versus 23; Eda M. Adams – 30 versus 44 and Elva G. Adams – 14 versus 15. Nancy is listed as Nina G. Gayetty and her age is listed as 60 versus 66. This would make Elva’s birth year ~ 1872.
Alvin and Elva divorced in 1911. Elva remained in the house until 1919, when she sold it and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Alvin remained in Denver and resided at the Denver Athletic Club for 39 years until his death in 1950.
1912 Passenger List – S.S. La Savoie arriving from Le Havre, France
The passenger list for the S.S. La Savoie arriving in New York on 13 Jan 1912 lists a passenger named Elva Jessup, age 38. However, this Elva Jessup lists her residency as New York, N.Y.. This would be the same time period she has the Lafayette St. house in Denver. A future passport application indicates that she took a “short trip to Europe” from August 1912 to January 1913, and travelled to France, Switzerland and Italy to “travel and visit friends”. Could she have been mistaken in this future application by one year , 1912 versus 1913? This would make her birth year ~ 1874.
1914 Passenger List – S.S. Korea arriving from Yokohama, Japan
In this passenger list an Elva Jessup from Denver, lists her age as 36. This would make her birth year ~ 1878.
1920 Passport Application
On 10 May 1920, Louie Elva Jessup applied for a passport at the U.S. State Department in Washington. She indicates that she was born on 12 Jul1879 to Frank (Francis?) Gayetty (deceased) in Tionesta, PA. She plans on sailing on the S.S. Rochambeau on 28 Jul 1920. The passport was issued 14 May 1920. This would make her birth year ~ 1879.
1922 Passport Application
On 04 Apr 1922, Louie Elva Jessup applies for another passport. In this application she again lists her date and place of birth as 12 Jul 1879 and Tionesta, PA. She does not list her father on this application, but her husband Alvin and that he is “deceased”. A bit surprising given that he goes on to live a happy life in Denver until his passing in 1950. She indicates that her “legal domicile” is the Buckingham Hotel in N.Y. at the corner of 5th Ave and 50th. Her temporary residence in Paris is Morgan and Harjes. Given that she states she has been residing outside the US since July 1920 and in France “to date” and that she is applying for the passport at the Passport Department at Paris, France, this appears to be an extension of the original passport issued in 1920. She goes onto indicated that she will use the passport for visiting: The British Isles; Belgium; Spain; Holland; Switzerland; Italy; Germany and that her “temporary residence” is France. The passport was issued on 24 Apr 1922. As with the previous passport application, this one would make her birth year ~ 1879.
On 24 Jul 1925, Elva will again apply for a passport extension for 12 months covering the period from 19 Mar 1925 to Mar 1926. Her foreign address is listed as Equitable Trust Cp., Paris.
1955 Obituary
In the 05 Apr 1955 edition of the Courier-News (Plainfield, N.J.), it indicates that Elva Louie Jessup, 85, passed away in New York on 04 Apr 1955. She had resided in the city for the past 10 years, and prior to that lived in Paris, France. This would make her birth year ~ 1869.
From the above immigration documents and her obituary, it appears Elva travelled to France in 1920 and stayed there until 1945, which is the same year World War II ended. She survived the war in occupied Paris!!
Elva’s daughter Eda’s birth year is consistently reported between 1886 and 1888. If Elva’s passport documents are to be believed, that would have made her between the ages of 7 to 9 when she gave birth to Eda. Highly unlikely. Therefore, the early census and her obituary, which reports her birth year to be 1868/1869 is more than likely the correct year(s).
The larger question is how does a middle-aged woman from modest means and no apparent means of income manage to travel extensively and live in France for 25 years. The sale of her house and alimony can provide a partial explanation. In her 1922 passport application, she indicates her “temporary” residence in Paris as Morgan and Harjes, Paris. And in her 1924 Passport Amendment Application, she indicates her “foreign” address as Equitable Trust Cp Paris. Both Morgan and Harjes and Equitable Trust Cp. are banks associated with J.P. Morgan and are predecessors to Chase Bank. They were also heavily involved in the Prussia War and World War I by securing loans for France to fund the war effort. Did Elva become involved with an executive from one of these financial institutions? Was she in a long-term relationship with someone she met while traveling through France/Europe? If so, why did she not remarry?