Business Owners and Workers
During the 1920s, many of Morristown’s Italian American families ran businesses on Water Street all the way up towards Flagler Street, and numerous Irish American families living on Town Hill near the Green. A number of the town’s African American population during this period had homes along Center Street, Coal Avenue, and Spring Street. The Giordano family operated this grocery at the corner of Spring and Water Street where it was a daily stop for many community residents.
Successful taxi drivers got their start driving for local companies until they saved enough to purchase their own car. Among those who owned car services in Morristown and Township were Lee Gracey, Matthew Washington, John Tanner, Richard Burton, Henry Ladon, and George Tucker.
Louise Clift was born in 1871, and she married Robert E. Greene of Boonton at age 23; the couple lived in Summit where Robert owned a watchmaking and jewelry store. Louise started her own photography business taking portraits of families around town. The Greenes moved to Morristown’s Speedwell Avenue in 1910 where Louise continued to run her business.