Morris Family Dwelled Along Johnson Avenue

Ernest and Grace Mitchell Morris had grown up together near New Salem in Rush County, Indiana. Deciding that the life of a farmer was not for him, Ernest moved to Indianapolis and in 1896 became one of the founders of the Indianapolis Engraving Company. In 1909, he married his childhood sweetheart, Grace Mitchell, and they lived in a variety of locations before moving into the Arts and Crafts residence at 20 Johnson Avenue in 1921.

While Mr. Morris went to work at his office in downtown Indianapolis, Mrs. Morris stayed home with their two sons, Edgar and Maynard.  Tragedy visited the family in October of 1925, when fourteen-year-old Edgar came down with the polio virus. He was attended to by Dr. Oliver C. Neier, but the virus was too aggressive. Edgar Morris died on October 12, 1925, two days before the couple's sixteenth wedding anniversary. The teen had been named for his grandfather in Rush County. The Rushville Republican reported that the family was in complete shock over the suddenness of his passing.

For unknown reasons, the Morris family decided to leave Irvington and move to the north side of Indianapolis in 1926. They sold their home to Dr. Oliver Neier, the very man who had attempted to aid their son during his illness.  Mr. Morris died in 1956 at the age of 71. He was still associated with the Indianapolis Engraving Company at the time. Mrs. Morris lived until 1967.  Their only surviving son, Maynard, died suddenly in 1970 at the age of 50.

Ernest Morris as pictured in Fellow Citizens of Indianapolis in 1926

20 Johnson Avenue in 2017

Sources:  "Engraving Official Dies," Rushville Republican, July 9, 1956; "Boy Dies Suddenly," Rushville Republican, October 12, 1925, 1; "Engravers Saw 500 Hundred Mile Race Paved Way for Color Work," Indianapolis Star, May 26, 1946, 40.

Mary Louise Neier--Kindergarten Teacher for Irvington

Mary Louise Neier operated a private kindergarten out of her home at 5506 University Avenue through much of the mid-twentieth century.  A high percentage of the families living in the neighborhood insisted on the early education of their children.  The state of Indiana did not require kindergarten (it still does not in 2012) so families had to find a school.  There were several choices in the community including the Hibben Kindergarten on Pleasant Run Parkway.  Miss Neier operated the pre-school with the support of her mother Bertha and the financial backing of her father, Dr. Oliver C. Neier.  Students entered through a side door on the eastern side of the house and were not allowed in certain rooms.  Graduates of the school now entering their elder years report that Miss Neier made school fun, but she was also strict.

Mary Louise, Bertha, and Dr. Oliver C. Neier c. 1945 by Walls Studio (4018 E. Michigan St.)

Mary Louise Neier, "Queen for a Day," December 14, 1945

Mary Louise Neier was named "Queen for a Day" in December of 1945 by WIBC, a local radio station.  She was chosen because of her work with children.  They sat her on a "glittering" throne and then started handing out gifts.  All of this was done for the Save the Children Foundation.  Miss Neier was flown to Chicago where she was treated to a dinner and a show.  She also received dancing lessons and several fun gag gifts.  Then, representatives presented her with several nice items like hats, dresses, a purse, gloves, and a makeup kit.  The Indianapolis News featured her royal highness prominently on December 14, 1945.

Undated early Polaroid of 5506 University Avenue

5506 University in 2012

The photo above is an undated early Polaroid of the house.  The home was extensively remodeled by the Fogleman family in 1985.  They removed the original front porch perhaps due to deterioration.  They also collected much of the history that we now know about the Neiers.

The historic images are courtesy of William and Jamidawn Jensen.

Dr. Oliver C. Neier and Family

Dr. Oliver C. Neier (1864-1954) served as a physician for families living in the Irvington area for nearly fifty years.  A native of nearby Hancock County, he moved to the neighborhood in 1902 and set up shop at 5402 East Washington Street (demolished). He took over the practice of Dr. Robert Long, who moved into the city.  Dr. Neier eventually relocated his family into a beautiful stuccoed American Four Square at 5506 University Avenue.  Each morning he would rise at 6:00 A.M. to make his daily visits to the sick both in homes and at Methodist Hospital.  He solidified his place in Indianapolis medical history in 1908 when he delivered the first baby, Fletcher Ernstberger, at the brand new Methodist Hospital.  Dr. Neier remained friends with the Ernstbergers even after they moved from Indianapolis to California.  Tragically, young Fletcher died in a hunting accident at age 17.

Dr. Oliver C. Neier (1864-1954) was named after Indiana Civil War Governor, Oliver P. Morton.  

This sign hung on Dr. Neier's office on East Washington Street and on University Avenue

Dr. Neier began his medical career as a "horse and buggy" physician, however, by the early 1900s he owned an Overland Auto.  For most of his 90 years on this planet, he tended the sick and wounded.  He remained in practice well into his late 80s.  His wife Bertha and daughter Mary Louise ran the Irvington Kindergarten out of their home for decades.

Dr. Neier sweeps the snow from his porch at 5506 University Avenue.  Below him, you can see the back of the "Irvington Private Kindergarten" sign.  Behind him you can see houses on South Ritter and University Avenues.

Dr. Oliver C. Neier supports his wife Bertha. (c.1945) They are standing in front of their home at 5506 University Ave.

The historic images and sign are courtesy of William and Jamidawn Jensen.

Neier Kindergarten at 5506 University Avenue --1937

Bertha and Mary Neier ran the Irvington Private Kindergarten at 5506 University Avenue through much of the early to mid-twentieth century.  The mother/daughter team became instrumental in helping  hundreds of young Irvingtonians on the right path to a proper education. A school hack and later bus would drive through the neighborhood to transport the pupils to this lovely stuccoed American Four Square home near the intersection of University and South Ritter Avenues.  Dr. Neier, a physician and the patriarch of this talented family, spent most of his time either at his office or at Methodist Hospital.  After Bertha became too frail to run the school, Mary took the helm and continued to educate children out of the dwelling until the 1950s.

Irvington Private Kindergarten at 5506 University Avenue in 1937

In this wonderful photo, pirates, wizards, cowboys, and a host of other cleverly dressed children gathered for a school photo in 1937.  You can see that Mrs. and Miss Neier have placed a tarp on the ground so that the kids will not get dirty.  Autumn leaves, still not yet raked, lull on the grass and sidewalk.  The home still stands in 2012.  Look for more posts on the Neiers in the coming days.

Children still play in the front yard at 5506 University Avenue in 2012

This wonderful historic image is courtesy of William and Jamidawn Jensen.