San Diego County
Biographies
JOHN G. MORLEY
San Diego has reason to be proud of
her public parks, which rank with the finest in the country, a distinction
attained under the supervision of John G. Morley, whose services to the city in
this connection have been invaluable.
Mr. Morley is a native of England and a son of James F. and Annie
(Smith) Morley, both now deceased. He
was reared and educated in England, where for years he was associated with his
father, under whom he was thoroughly trained in horticultural work. Crossing the Atlantic, he came to the United
States and spent the years 1905 – 08 as superintendent of the park system of
Los Angeles. He then removed to San
Diego. His brother, William T. Morley,
is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
John G. Morley has been
superintendent of the city parks of San Diego since 1911 and is known far and
wide as one of the most eminent horticulturists of the era. He directs the labors of about one hundred
and twenty persons, who are employed in the various public parks of the city,
and has communicated to his subordinates much of his own zeal and enthusiasm
for the work. Under his care is
beautiful Balboa Park of twenty-six hundred acres, with its various museums and
wonderful zoo. A notable feature of this
park is its flower gardens, which attract many thousands of visitors. Mr. Morley’s advice on horticultural matters
has been widely sought and freely given.
He is frequently called upon to act as judge at leading flower shows in
this country and in 1924 at the Bagatelle Gardens, Paris, was one of the judges
of roses exhibited by growers from many parts of the world.
In 1893 while residing in Los
Angeles, Mr. Morley was married to Miss Sarah Mooney, by whom he has a daughter,
Teresa, now the wife of Ralph C. Hayward, of San Diego. With his wife Mr. Morley resides in the
superintendent’s house in Balboa Park.
He is a past master of the Golden State Lodge of Masons in Los Angeles,
has taken the thirty-second degree in the consistory at Los Angeles, and is a
charter member of Al Bahr Temple of the Mystic Shrine of San Diego. He also belongs to the Cuyamaca Club and is
serving on the state board of agriculture.
Modest and unassuming, he has never sought publicity, for his heart is
in his work, which affords ample scope for the expression of his talents. His wide knowledge of horticultural science
is conceded by all Californians and his helpful spirit has prompted his
effective efforts in advancing civic betterment by means of beautiful parks,
gardens and flowers.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 243-244, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S SAN DIEGO BIOGRAPIES