Mary "Minnie" Ann Hutchinson : Short Biography

Mary Ann "Minnie" Hutchinson was the third child of Knox Hutchinson and Margaret Elizabeth Forgrave. Minnie was born Presbyterian on 1 May 1884 in Garvagh, Errigal, Derry, Ireland where Knox was a Spirit Merchant and owned a Pub.

Her siblings were: Margaret Forgrave Hutchinson, born 3 July 1880 and died single 6 July 1937 in Belfast; William John Meek Hutchinson, born in 1882 in Garvagh, and married Elizabeth E. Chism in 1908 in Philadelphia, PA; Thomas James Hutchinson, born in 1886 in Garvagh, married Martha Jane Halliday in 1912 in Belfast and after her death, married Euphemia Clark Bethune in 1921 in Niles, OH; Robert Knox Hutchinson, born in 1889 in Garvagh, married Johanna Dalton in 1915 in Belfast; Elizabeth Forgrave Hutchinson, born 1891 in Garvagh, married John Henry Bradley Sr in 1915 in Belfast; Isabella Alexandra McNeary Hutchinson born in 1894 in Garvagh, married George Cree Jamison in 1914 in Belfast and after his death, she married Hugh Wallace about 1941 in Belfast; Sarah Jane "Sally" Hutchinson born in 1896 in Aghadowey, Coleraine, married Robert Charles Stanley Bower Jr in 1919 in Belfast; Hugh Smith Morrison Hutchinson born in 1898 in Belfast, and married Alberta A. Swager in 1935, in Erie, PA, USA.

Minnie moved and lived with the family until approximately 1900, when she was 16, and lived in Belfast. Minnie had stopped going to school when the family left Garvagh in 1895 to move to Aghadowey, where her grandfather's farm was, and where her younger sister Sarah was born. Minnie had completed 8th grade. She could read and write, and likely had studied Florence Nightengale's book "Notes on Nursing" and had gained the "practical nurse" title. Minnie would have been an important family helper to take care of her older sister, Margaret, who had epilepsy, and with the birthing and care of the seven children born behind her. Over 30,000 Irishmen, many of them farmers, had been sent to the 16 month long British involvement in the Crimean War conflict from 1854 - 1856. Many of the men came home with war stories of the Irish Sisters of Mercy, led by Mary Francis Bridgeman who tended the sick and wounded with Florence Nightengale during the war. From these stories, Minnie took an active interest in nursing at an early age. In 1901, Minnie was a domestic servant for Mary N. Quigley, age 50, and Ada F. Quigley, age 47, at their home at 31 Ulsterville Avenue, Windsor, Antrim, Upper Belfast Ward 4. The house was a 13 room house which is now known as The Malcolm Sinclair House and the home of the Cedar Foundation.

In the fall of 1903, Minnie followed her brother William to the United States. She departed Londonderry on 5 September 1903 aboard the Anchor Line's ship Columbia with $15 in her pocket, a ticket aboard ship, and train fare purchased to Philadelphia, PA, USA. She stayed with William at 2318 Wallace Street, Philadelphia upon her arrival. Minnie had been promised a job as a domestic servant if she came to the United States. That job fell through, and Minnie sought work in both Canada and in Pennsylvania, finding employment in Sewickly, PA near Pittsburgh.

Minnie had met her future husband, William "Scottie" Morrison, on the ship while immigrating to America. They had stayed in contact and married 5 June 1906 in Alleghany, PA. Scottie was originally from Scotland, and had immigrated to Niles, OH, USA as a five year old child with his mother, Jane Jones, and his step-father, John M. Wilson. Scottie's father, William Morrison Sr. was from Aberdeen, Scotland. Scottie was born 4 Oct 1881 in Kinning Park, Lankshire, Scotland. After Minnie and Scottie married, she moved to Niles, OH where Scottie's family had already settled in the same block on Pearl St and Cherry Street. Scottie's sister Anne and her husband William John Cunningham had immigrated from Scotland in 1904 and settled a few houses away from Jane and John Wilson. Scottie purchased the house next door to his sister for he and Minnie to settle into. When Minnie first arrived in Niles, there was not much. No lights or gas and a very small town area. As she got off the train, she felt like she was back in the little village of Garvagh in Northern Ireland.

Minnie was a practical nurse for 16 years helping the local doctor in Niles. She is documented to have helped birth 65 residents of the town. Minnie and Scottie had seven children: Margaret who was born in 1908 and died in 1909 from Tubucular Meningitis; Lewis Miller Morrison who was born in 1910 and died in a car accident at age 21 in 1931; Robert Knox who was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1912, while his mom was visiting family, and died in 1962; William who died in 1914; John Wilson who was born in 1916 and died in 1986; Rachel who died in 1918; and Anna Beatrice who was born in 1920 and died in 2007. All of their children were born in Warren, Ohio except Robert.

Minnie had traveled to Belfast in the fall of 1911 with her young son Louis, when she and Scottie had some marital problems after the death of Rachel,  and Minnie's father Knox Hutchinson was sick. Minnie was supposed to return to America and be a passenger on the maiden voyage of The Titanic with her 2 year old son Louis. She was 8 months pregnant with her son Robert Knox Morrison. Due to complications with her pregnancy, she missed the boat and returned in August 1912 after her son was born and her father passed away. She brought back a China cabinet with her aboard ship from Belfast.

During the Spanish Flu Pandemic in 1918-1919, Minnie was active with the local Red Cross in Niles, OH. As flu cases overwhelmed local hospitals, churches and schools were transformed into emergency hospitals to treat the sick and dying.

Minnie inspired her future generations to enter the health care field, including her daughter and grand niece. Minnie died 30 May 1957 in Niles, OH. She is buried in Niles City Cemetery, Niles, OH.