Daniel E. Morgan

Daniel Edgar Morgan (August 7, 1877 – May 1, 1949) was an American politician of the Republican party who served as the second and last city manager of Cleveland, Ohio, but is often regarded as the 42nd mayor of the city. He was the last member of Cleveland City Council to become mayor until Frank G. Jackson was elected in 2005.

Daniel E. Morgan
2nd City Manager of Cleveland
In office
1930–1931
Preceded byWilliam R. Hopkins
Succeeded byRaymond T. Miller
Personal details
Born(1877-08-07)August 7, 1877
Oak Hill, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 1, 1949(1949-05-01) (aged 71)
Cleveland Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Ella Annetta Mathews
​
​
(m. 1915; died 1923)​
;
Wilma Ball
​
(m. 1926)​
ChildrenNancy Olwen, Amanda
Alma materOberlin College (BA);
Harvard Law School (JD)

Life and career

Morgan was born in Oak Hill, Ohio, to Elias and Elizabeth Jones Morgan. In 1897, he received his Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College and a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1901. He began practicing law in Cleveland and in 1909, was elected to Cleveland City Council as a Republican. He supported home rule and helped write Cleveland's new charter, supporting a large council with small wards. He was elected Ohio state senator in 1928 and earned a reputation for improving pending legislation

In 1924, Cleveland adopted a city manager plan. William R. Hopkins became the first person to hold the position, but when council felt that Hopkins was becoming too powerful, they elected Morgan to replace him in 1930. As city manager, he opened all staff positions for African Americans at City Hospital, negotiated settlements over utility rates, and persuaded county officials to include a bond issue on the ballot to pay for public works to provide jobs during the Great Depression. However, Morgan's financial plans for Depression aid did not last. In November 1931 the city manager plan was finally abolished and the city returned to a mayor-council government. Morgan ran for mayor in 1932, but lost to a former mayor, Harry L. Davis. He returned to private practice and became a judge of the Ohio Court of Appeals in 1939, serving until his death.

Personal life

Morgan married Ella A. Mathews of Chicago on April 22, 1915.[1] She died on July 21, 1923,[2][3] from complications after the birth of their first child, Nancy.[4]

Morgan then married Wilma Ball in February 1926,[5]

Death

Morgan underwent surgery for an undisclosed reason in August 1948, but never fully recovered. He died at his home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, on May 1, 1949.[4] His funeral was held at Amasa Stone Chapel on the campus of Western Reserve College.[6] He was interred at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland.

References
  1. "Doings of Society and Its People". The Plain Dealer. April 23, 1915. p. 11.
  2. "Death Notices". The Plain Dealer. July 23, 1923. p. 20.
  3. "Deaths". The Michigan Alumnus. April 24, 1924. p. 830. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  4. "Dan Morgan Is Dead at 71". The Plain Dealer. May 2, 1949. pp. 1, 16.
  5. Curtiss, Cornelia (March 2, 1926). "Will Address Garden Club Next Friday". The Plain Dealer. p. 17.
  6. "Represent Bar at Morgan Rites". The Plain Dealer. May 3, 1949. p. 11.
  • The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History by Cleveland Bicentennial Commission (Cleveland, Ohio), David D. Van Tassel (Editor), and John J. Grabowski (Editor) ISBN 0-253-33056-4
Political offices
Preceded by
William R. Hopkins		 Mayor/City Manager of Cleveland
1930–1931		 Succeeded by
Raymond T. Miller
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