An American Family History

Isidore Swentoslawski Morrison was born on May 12, 1885 in Klodawa, Poland. His name may have been Yitzhak. He was the son of Moishe Swentoslawski and Pearl Kolsky. According to his passport application, he immigrated to the United States in October, 1904. He sailed from Southampton, England.

Isidore imported watches Lugerman & Morrison, Inc. at 49 Maiden Lane in New York.

His married Mabel Siegel in July, 1914.. She was born September 5, 1891 in New York City. They married July 9, 1914 in New York. Their son Disraeli (Ray) Morrison was born in 1915 in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. Isidore became a citizen on February 2, 1915. They lived in Switzerland from March 24, 1915 to March 30, 1919.

The 1920 census of Manhattan, New York shows an Isadore Marrison age 33 years old who was born in Russia.  He immigrated to the United States in 1903 and was a watch maker.  The household also consisted of his wife, Mabel and four year old son, Disralie. By the time of the 1930 census they were living in Los Angeles.

Isidore's grandaughter, Katherine Morrison wrote that "he was in business with Isidore Silver in Los Angeles. They bought rental properties together. Isidore put up the money and Isidore Silver found the properties.  When my grandfather tried to find his own properties, he always bought ones where tenants didn't pay the rent, etc. They started together when Isidore S. borrowed money from Isidore M. and bought a garage and then got a mortgage on it for more money. That impressed my grandfather and they started together.  Isidore S. couldn't read or write, it was explained to me that he had had a fever and either didn't start Cheder in time or the fever had made him incapable of literacy. He was restless and drove around LA all night and found properties. Now and then my grandfather would be irritated by the fact that he had to put up all the money, voice it to Isidore S, who would offer to sever the partnership, but in the end acknowledged that only Isidore S could find the right places."

He died on February 11, 1953 in Los Angeles.