Morton Earthenware Company

1915 - 1916

In 1915, a major reorganization took place. Andrew Rapp had died in 1911. The remaining five brothers tried to carry on both the tile and pottery business, but experienced numerous setbacks. John retired because of poor health. Matthew left the pottery to design for a local farm machinery manufacturer. Barthol broke from the clan and established the Rapp Clay Products Company on Cole Street in East Peoria. That left Samuel and Christian with the responsibility for the Morton operation which they renamed Morton Brick and Tile Company. Four of Andrew's sons approached their uncles and offered to take over the pottery operations. An agreement was signed and the four second generation Rapp brothers assumed operation of the pottery after renaming it the Morton Earthenware Company. They continued to use the name Rapp Brothers in their promotional materials, therefore much confusion has developed in trying to separate the older wares from the newer ones produced by the nephews. Because they used the same molds and glaze formulas establishing certainties is most difficult.

Morton Earthenware Company was in operation for only two years, 1915 and 1916. All production ceased from 1917-1920. During World War I many employees were drafted or enlisted in the Armed Forces. Raw materials were nearly impossible to procure because of their diversion to the war effort. With shortages in both manpower and material, the pottery closed down.

Three of John Rapp's sons used one of the buildings for experimental art pottery development during the war. They took their art pottery manufactory to Evanston, Illinois, in 1920. There they were closer to raw material sources and it was near a more sophisticated market. That art pottery operation was short-lived because the brothers took off to Oregon to pan for gold.

The Rapp Brothers Pottery did not reopen after the war. As it sat idle, Samuel and Christian struggled to keep the tile works, now known as Morton Tile Works, in operation. In 1920 Matthew decided to leave his work in farm machinery and return to the pottery. Matthew and his four sons renovated the old structure and started their new business which they named Cliftwood Art Potteries.