Three young people are posing at Christmas, surrounded by family photos on a wall, and one photo being held by the young woman in the middle. The woman on the right appears to have blond hair and light-colored eyes. She also seems to be wearing a wedding ring. The woman in the middle is not wearing a wedding ring. The names handwritten along the bottom appear to be: Harry Sutler (or Sutter), Anna Morgan, and Kat Ashly. Underneath these names is the word Racine. Katherine Ashly was born in 1882, so she would be 20 years old in this photo.
The back of the photo seems to confirm that this is Racine, Wisconsin. In legible handwriting, it says Christmas, 1902, Racine, Wisc. In almost illegible handwriting, I think it might say Christmas 9/02. In the upper left hand corner, I see the initials C. A. H.
Rick Podoba: Lots of mentions in the paper from early 1900’s about Anna Morgan, she lived at 504 Park Ave.
504 Park Avenue. We’ve studied this building many times. Mrs. Thomas Morgan is there in 1909.
Gil Knapp: Looks like they may have been neighbors. The Ashley’s show up at 502 Water St. right across from 504 Park. Katherine Ashley listed as a dressmaker.
Dennis Tully: As a start – I find in the 1906 Directory: Harry Sutters, Driver, 940 Villa St. Annie Morgan, Music Teacher, 504 Park Ave. Katherine Ashley, Dress Maker, 502 Water St.
Among the photos on the wall, this seems to show Anna Morgan’s house (circled in red). My guess would be that this is Anna’s father, Thomas Morgan, in his horse and buggy.
Rick Podoba: Katherine Ashley married Robert Hughes in 1906.
From the Racine Daily Journal, June 27, 1901: Anna B. Morgan graduated from the McMynn School.
Racine Daily Journal, January 19, 1903: The members of the children’s chorus of the Welsh Presbyterian church who won first place in the Eisteddfod recently held in this city under the leadership of Miss Anna Morgan, will celebrate their victory on next Thursday evening by giving a banquet in the parlors of the church. The class numbers about thirty members and their friends will be invited to participate in the celebration.
Racine Daily Journal, September 6, 1904 Miss Anna Morgan, one of the leading vocalists of this city, leaves tomorrow for Sheboygan to remain permanently. She will open a studio there, and will give instructions in vocal and instrumental music. She will also have charge of the singing in the First Congregational church, the principal church of the city. Miss Morgan’s department causes great regret in musical circles in this city, as she has long been a prime favorite here. She will undoubtedly meet with great success in her new field.
Racine Daily Journal, March 1, 1906 Miss Anna B. Morgan, 504 Park avenue, this city, who is studying music in Chicago, has been appointed musical director of St. John’s church in that city. Miss Morgan has been an organist of that church since last September, and is well known in the musical circles of the Windy City where her talent has won her a host of warm friends and admirers, as it has in this city.