Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Morgan, Henry W 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com October 3, 2007, 1:56 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

HENRY W. MORGAN, proprietor of a pattern shop at No. 108 South Desplaines 
street, Joliet, is one of the expert mechanics and pattern-makers in the city, 
where he has made his home since 1871. He was born in Talgarth, Breconshire, 
Wales, June 11, 1844, a son of William and Mary Morgan, natives of the same 
shire. His father, who was a son of Henry Morgan, a farmer, engaged in 
contracting and building in his native country, where he died in 1881. In his 
family there were four children, viz.: Mrs. Jane Price, who died in Wales; 
Henry W.; William, who is proprietor of a normal school at Hereford, Wales; 
and Magdelene, Mrs. W. D. Richards, who died in Joliet.

In the public schools of Bryn Mawr, Wales, the subject of this sketch obtained 
his education. When sixteen he was bound out to learn the pattern-maker's 
trade and served an apprenticeship of seven years, during which time he 
studied in a drawing school, also spent six months in a foundry and six in a 
machine shop. This is the parent trade of all in a mechanical line, and one 
who becomes an expert in it has acquired knowledge that proves of inestimable 
value to him. The seven years which Mr. Morgan spent as an apprentice were 
faithfully devoted to his work, and as a result he became very proficient as a 
mechanic. At the expiration of his time he worked at his trade in Cardiff and 
Newport.

The year 1869 found Mr. Morgan in the United States, a young man, with little 
money, but possessing an abundance of energy and determination. At first he 
was  employed as patternmaker in the shops of the Delaware, Lackawanna & 
Western Railroad in Scranton, Pa. From there, in 1871, he came to Joliet and 
entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company as patternmaker. Five years 
later he was promoted to be foreman, and as such he continued for twenty 
years, resigning in 1896 in order to embark in business for himself. During 
the twenty-five years of his connection with the company he won and retained 
the confidence of the officers and the respect of subordinates, and was 
recognized as an expert at his trade. Since entering business on his own 
account he has made patterns for various mills of Joliet and other cities and 
has also turned out work that has been shipped to Belgium and France.

In the Welsh Presbyterian Church of Joliet Mr. Morgan is a trustee and 
prominent worker. Politically he gives his influence and ballot toward 
Republican principles.  He is connected with Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. 
& A. M., in which he is past senior warden. He was one of the first to build 
in his section of the city, and owns a neat home on Ohio street. Prior to 
leaving Wales he was married, in Bryn Mawr, to Miss Jane Davies, daughter of 
William Davies, who came to America, settling in Pottsville, Pa., thence 
coming to Joliet; he was the second employe with the then Joliet Iron and 
Transportation Company, with which he remained until his death,  in 1879. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan who attained maturity are named as follows: 
Annie, who is married and lives in Joliet; John, a machinist employed in 
Chicago; Clara, Edith, Walter, Otis and Harry.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900


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