Daniel E. Morgan

Daniel Edgar Morgan (August 7, 1887 – 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.

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.

References

• 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

External links

• Case Western Reserve University