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Part of the American
History & Genealogy Project |
Maria Morgan 1828 ~ 1892
Widely known as Middy Morgan, was born
November 22, 1828 in Cork, Ireland, and died in Jersey City, New
Jersey, June 1, 1892.
Miss Morgan occupied a unique position
among American professional women. She was the daughter of
Anthony Morgan, a landed proprietor. In 1865 her father died,
and the eldest son succeeding to the entire estate, the other
children were left dependent.
Maria and a younger sister went to Rome,
Italy, and there, owing to her wonderful horsemanship and
knowledge of horses, which she had gained on her father's
estates in Ireland, she was engaged by Victor Emmanuel, King of
Italy, to select the horses for his Horse Guards and take the
supervision of his stables, a position which she filled with
credit, and to the entire satisfaction of the King.
After five years spent in this service,
she decided to come to the United States, and on her departure,
was presented with valuable jewels in recognition of her
service. She bore letters of introduction to Horace Greeley,
James Gordon Bennett, and Henry J. Raymond, and was immediately
employed by the New York Tribune, the Herald, and the Times to
write articles and do livestock reporting, also for the Turf,
Field and Farm and the Live Stock Reporter.
In addition, she wrote the pedigrees and
racing articles for the American Agriculturist. At one time she
was in charge of the Pennsylvania Railroad station at Robinvale,
New Jersey, and during this time made three trips to Europe; her
first on a cattle boat. After her return she wrote a series of
articles on the treatment of cattle on ocean steamers, which
resulted in the bettering of conditions and more humane
treatment.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
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