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Milton Edward Morris

Milton Edward Morris

Male 1882 - 1935  (53 years)

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  • Name Milton Edward Morris 
    Birth 26 Feb 1882  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death 03 Apr 1935  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Cause of death: Carcinoma Lung (primary), influenza and emphysema (secondary). Informant on death certificate: Jack Morris, same address. 
    Occupation 03 Apr 1935  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Death certificate shows occupation as "merchant - auto parts" for 20 years. Last active in the occupation: Dec 1934. 
    Residence 03 Apr 1935  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Address:
    126 Dorchester Way
    San Francisco, California 94127
    United States 
    Will 03 Apr 1935  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Milton E. Morris probate file (San Francisco Superior Court file #069407):

    "Bear in mind as you read my summary below that these were financially difficult years in a country that was deep in depression until we entered World War II. That said, reading between the lines I think there may have been some mismanagement involved; certainly at the very least, there was suspected mismanagement, as you will see.

    "Milton Morris died testate in San Francisco 3 April 1935, leaving a son John (age 18) and a younger daughter, Betty Jane (age 11). Legal heirs also included two sisters and three nephews (oddly not including Jack Allen, although in the will he is called a nephew). Housekeeper, Marie Louise Bertin was named as the preferred physical caregiver of the children and it was requested that the residence not be sold. Heirs named were the two children, nephew Jack B. Allen, and another nephew Milton Morris all to share in the business, plus friends Henry Boomer, Jack Donohue and S. O. Smith who were all relieved of moneys owed to Milton. The wording of the will appears to suggest that Milton did not care for his late wife's family, and he specifically stated that they were to stay away from the children.

    "Because his wife Katherine had died the previous year, it was necessary to appoint guardians to protect the children's interest. Jack B. Allen and Henry Boomer were named executors and guardians of the children's interest. Milton had an auto parts and equipment business, "Little Auto Parts Co.," and the executors immediately petitioned (April 9, 1935) to allow the business to continue, at least for awhile, in the best interest of preserving the estate. Initial claims against the estate included a Bank of America promissory note for $2,680, taxes, doctors' bills, the Halsted Diercks bill for cremation and funeral, and an inurnment fee from Cypress Lawn (niche 133, tier 4, sec. H). Major items in the $43,650 inventory were a two-story residence in the Merritt Terrace section of San Francisco ($5,500), unimproved property bounded by Edinburgh and Peru Streets ($700), a lot and cottage in San Mateo Co. ($700), unimproved properties in Hawthorne, Los Angeles Co. ($300) and Santa Cruz Co. ($100) stock ($2,883), jewelry ($985), and his business at 701 Golden Gate Avenue (valued at $30,602 plus $579 in receivables).

    "Almost immediately stocks were sold and in December the Merritt Terrace house was mortgaged. The following February, the executors mortgaged the property at 701 Golden Gate and later in the year began to liquidate the business. A man named A. L. May was named to oversee the distribution of assets to pay off creditors. Unpaid rent (the mortgage?) on 701 Golden Gate began to mount in 1937, and the unimproved property on Edinburgh Street and the Merritt Terrace house were sold. All this occurred before there was any accounting by the executors, which is rather unusual and appears to have been the basis for subsequent litigation. In 1938, an attorney was hired by Jack and Betty Jane to contest the way the business was being run and liquidated. Several creditors objected to the compensation that was being received by the executors, and the situation appears to have been getting messy.

    "Finally in 1939, the executors presented a first accounting (somewhat overdue) in which it was stated that the business was operating at a loss and that total assets had dwindled to $8,075. More unimproved property was sold. The children's lawyer demanded a final accounting in May of 1940, and in August accused Allen and Boomer of mismanagement and demanded that they be removed. In October the
    executors filed an amended accounting showing assets of $1,933 in cash, one unimproved lot and some remaining stock, and agreed to distribute all but the cash, which may have been needed to assure that final fees would be paid."
     
    Death 03 Apr 1935  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial 05 Apr 1935  Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, California (Cremation) Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Occupation 29 Apr 2009  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Letter from Barbara Mae Morris Anderson dated 29 Apr 2009 about her father, Milton Jack Morris: "[...] on returning to San Francisco he went to work with his uncle Milt at Little Auto Company on Van Ness Avenue and was there until the depression wiped out the company." 
    Address:
    431 Van Ness Avenue
    San Francisco, California 94102
    United States 
    Person ID I513973277  Walsh - Wilson Family Tree | Craig
    Last Modified 15 May 2009 

    Father Kieve Morris,   b. Oct 1837, Germany Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 24 Sep 1920, San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 82 years) 
    Mother Hattie Stein,   b. 03 Oct 1851, Nakel, Germany Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 May 1911, San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 59 years) 
    Marriage 04 Oct 1869  San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Documents
    1880 United States Census
    1880 United States Census
    Census information shows Kieve Morris (age 40) employed by the Produce Commission, living with his wife Hattie (age 30, a housekeeper), and children Israel (age 9), Jacob (8), Rachael (6), Flora (4), Nellie (2), and Rosa (born Sept 1879). Year: 1880; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: T9_77; Family History Film: 1254077; Page: 1.1000; Enumeration District: 146; Image: 0003.

    K. and H. Morris - 1870 United States Federal Census - Stockton, California
    K. and H. Morris - 1870 United States Federal Census - Stockton, California
    On the 1870 Census K. Morris (age 31, a dry goods merchant born in Prussia) is living with his wife H. Morris (age 20, also born in Prussia, a housekeeper). The value of his estate is estimated at $10,000.
    Kevy Morris Obituary - San Francisco Examiner - 25 Sep 1920 - Page 4, Column 8
    Kevy Morris Obituary - San Francisco Examiner - 25 Sep 1920 - Page 4, Column 8
    "In this city September 24 1920, Kevy Morris, beloved husband of the late Yetta Morris, loving father of I.F., M.E. Morris, Mrs. Max King, Mrs. R. Sahlinger, Flora Morris, and the late Jack and Rose Isaacs, beloved brother of Moses and Herman Morris, Mrs. S. Levy, and the late Joe Morris, a native of Germany aged 83 years. [...] Interment Salem Cemetery. Officers and members of California Lodge No. 163, I.O.B.P. are hereby notified to attend the funeral of our late brother, K. Morris."
    San Francisco Call Newspaper - 5 Oct 1869 - Marriage of K. Morris and Ettie Stein
    San Francisco Call Newspaper - 5 Oct 1869 - Marriage of K. Morris and Ettie Stein
    MORRIS - STEIN - In this city October 4 [1869], by the Rev. A. Shapero, K. Morris, of Stockton, to Ettie Stein of this city.
    Headstones
    Grave of Kieve and Hattie 'Yetta' Stein Morris
    Grave of Kieve and Hattie "Yetta" Stein Morris
    Salem Memorial Cemetery. The gravestone of Michael and Esther Morris (Kieve's parents) is located just over my left shoulder. Block 1A.
    Plot: Block 1A
    Family ID F9  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Lydia Bartlett 
    Marriage 1918 
    Family ID F505778238  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 29 Jul 2008 

    Family 2 Katherine Augusta Voss,   b. 12 Jul 1887, Chicago, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Jan 1934, San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 46 years) 
    Children 
     1. John Knowlton Morris,   b. 20 Aug 1916, San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 May 2000, Santa Clara, California Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 83 years)
    +2. Betty Jane Morris,   b. 25 Sep 1923, San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 02 May 1998, Vancouver, Clark, Washington, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years)
    Photos
    Milton Edward Morris and Family - Circa 1933
    Milton Edward Morris and Family - Circa 1933
    Milton Edward Morris and Katherine [Voss] Morris
    Milton Edward Morris and Katherine [Voss] Morris
    At Dorchester Way, San Francisco
    Documents
    1930 United States Census - Milton Edward Morris and Family
    1930 United States Census - Milton Edward Morris and Family
    The 1930 census shows Milton Edward Morris, age 48 [born c.1882], born in California, parents born in Germany, the owner of an auto parts business, living with his family. He is shown as first married at age 26 [c.1908].

    His wife is Katherine A., age 42 [born c.1888], first married at age 23 [c.1907], born in Illinois, both parents born in Germany.

    Their children are John, age 13 [born c.1917], and Betty Jane, age 6 [born c.1924]. Both children were born in California.

    They own their house: estimated value $12,500.

    Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 202; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 207; Image: 474.0.

    Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
    Family ID F513881933  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 9 Apr 2009 

  • Documents
    Milton Edward Morris - World War I Draft Card
    Milton Edward Morris - World War I Draft Card
    Draft card shows Milton Edward Morris, born 26 Feb 1882, living at 130 11th Avenue, San Francisco, with his wife Lydia Bartlett Morris. Milton owns his own business - Little Auto Company at 431 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. He is shown as a "dealer - auto wreck and parts." Registration Location: San Francisco County, California; Roll: 1544256; Draft Board: 8.
    Rose (Morris) Isaacs Obituary - San Francisco Chronicle - 11 Jan 1915
    Rose (Morris) Isaacs Obituary - San Francisco Chronicle - 11 Jan 1915
    "In this city, Jan 9, Rose M[orris], dearly beloved wife of Michael H. Isaacs, loving mother of John G. Isaacs, beloved daughter of Kevy and the late Yetta Morris, and beloved sister of Mrs. Max King, Mrs. Robert Sallinger, and Flora Milton and Israel Morris. A native of San Francisco."
    Flora Morris - Obituary from San Francisco Chronicle - 10 Mar 1922 (page 6, column 8)
    Flora Morris - Obituary from San Francisco Chronicle - 10 Mar 1922 (page 6, column 8)
    "In this city, March 8 1922, Flora, beloved daughter of the late Kevy and Yetta Morris, dear sister of Mrs. M. Z. King, Mrs. Robert Sahlinger and Milton E. Morris and the late Mrs. M. H. Isaacs and Jack Morris, a native of San Francisco. [...] Interment private."
    Jacob J. Morris Obituary - The San Francisco Call - 18 Jun 1901
    Jacob J. Morris Obituary - The San Francisco Call - 18 Jun 1901
    http://www.loc.gov/chroniclingamerica/lccn/sn85066387/1901-06-18/ed-1/seq-11
    1910 United States Census - Kiva [Kieve] Morris and Family
    1910 United States Census - Kiva [Kieve] Morris and Family
    The 1910 U.S. census shows Kiva Morris (age 71, married for 40 years, born in Germany, arrived in U.S. in 1861) living with his wife Yetta (age 60, married 40 years, 7 children - 6 living, arrived in U.S. in 1868).

    Also in the household are daughter Flora (age 27, single, born in California), son Milton E. (age 23, single), grandson Milton J. (age 12, born in California, father born California, mother born New York), daughter Rosa G. [Morris] Isaacs (age 25, married 1 year), and son-in-law Michael H. Isaacs (age 34, arrival in U.S. 1893, a travelling wholesale shoe salesman). The family lived at 3648 Jackson Street, San Francisco.

    Year: 1910; Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 41, San Francisco, California; Roll: T624_101; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 283; Image: 1070.

    Thanks to Ted Gostin for locating this census sheet.
    1900 United States Census - Keaver [Kieve] Morris and Family
    1900 United States Census - Keaver [Kieve] Morris and Family
    The 1900 census shows Keaver [Kieve] Morris (age 62, married 30 years, born Oct 1837, came to U.S. in 1860, a commission merchant) living with his wife Iette [Hattie] Morris (age 50, born March 1850, arrived in U.S. in 1867, 7 children/7 living).

    Also in the household are children Flora (age 23, born Feb 1877), Nellie (age 21, born Feb 1879), Rose (age 19, born Oct 1880, a stenographer), and Milton (age 17, born Feb 1883, a clerk - business commission [sp?]. 1309 Webster Street, San Francisco.

    Year: 1900; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: T623 104; Page: 5A.
    Milton Edward Morris Death Certificate - 3 Apr 1935
    Milton Edward Morris Death Certificate - 3 Apr 1935
    The death certificate for Milton Edward Morris shows that he was born on 26 Feb 1882 in San Francisco, and died on 3 Apr 1935 in San Francisco. His residence at the time of death was 126 Dorchester Way, San Francisco, and he was a widower.

    His father is shown as Kava Morris, born Germany; mother Yetta Stein, born Germany. Informant was Jack Morris, at the same address.

    Cause of death: carcinoma lungs (primary), influenza and emphysema (secondary). His doctor attended him from 12 Jan 1935 to date of death (at 2:30 AM). He was a merchant - auto parts for 20 years. Cremated 5 Apr 1935 at Cypress Lawn.

    District Number: 3801; Local Register Number: 2458
    1920 United States Census - Milton E. Morris and Milton Jack Morris
    1920 United States Census - Milton E. Morris and Milton Jack Morris
    The 1920 cenus shows Milton E. Morris (age 38, married, a salesman) living with his nephew Milton J. Morris (age 22, single, a wrecker) in rented acommodation at 130 11th Avenue, San Francisco. Year: 1920; Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 28, San Francisco, California; Roll: T625_140; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 274; Image: 874.

  • Sources 
    1. [S4940] Nancy S. Peterson, California Genealogical Society, 13 May 2009 (Reliability: 3).
      Letter from Nancy S. Peterson, Research Director

    2. [S2] San Francisco Call Newspaper, 05 Oct 1869, Page 3, Column 4.