FREDERICK J. MORGAN

Frederick J. Morgan is now retired from active business, but for many years was president of the Morgan & Humiston Company, successfully and extensively engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, screens and other wood work. From a small beginning he developed extensive interests and so controlled his affairs that he long since left the ranks of the many and today stands among the prosperous few. The salient features in his business career were persistency of purpose, indefatigable energy and rigid integrity. He was born in Kent, Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 4, 1845, a son of James S. and Harriet L. (Knapp) Morgan, who were also natives of this state, where the father devoted his entire life to farming. He passed away at Morris, Connecticut, while his wife died at Warren. In their family were eleven children, ten of whom are yet living: Ralph B., Frederick J., Mrs. Carrie Perkins, Mrs. Emma Canfield, Mrs. Dora Boughton, Sherman, Mrs. Nellie Osborn, Mrs. Hattie Benton, William and Mrs. Myra Roberts.

The educational privileges accorded Frederick J. Morgan were those afforded by the district schools of Kent and of Warren. He was reared to farm work and remained at home until 1866. He followed the carpenter's trade for a few years thereafter and in 1873 came to New Haven, where he continued at that occupation for a time. He then decided to enter business on his own account and formed a partnership with Oswin W. Humiston. They conducted a small plant on State street for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc., and the excellence of the output brought a rapidly increasing trade that forced them soon to seek larger and more commodious quarters. They then removed to the present location on Prout street. Later the plant was reorganized and incorporated under its present name, Mr. Morgan becoming the president and active head of the business, with E. E. Dickerman as vice president and treasurer and so continued until July, 1917, when Mr. Morgan disposed of his interest and retired.

Mr. Morgan married Mrs. Annie E. (Baldwin) Horton, the widow of Frank Horton, who by her former marriage had a daughter who became Mrs. Lillian Dockendorff, who died leaving two children, who were adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. These are Horton and Gladys Dockendorff. Horton is now a soldier in France, a member of Company A, One Hundred and First Machine Gun Battery; and Gladys is Mrs. Edward Riley of Morris Connecticut. Mrs. Morgan died July 25, 1917.

In politics Mr. Morgan follows an independent course. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Humphrey Street Congregational church. It has been said: "Success is not dependent on a map but a timetable." In other words, opportunity is universal, not local, and advancement depends upon the individual and not upon his environment. Progress is a cumulative process, and where there is no advancement there has been no effort. The exercise of effort kept Mr. Morgan alert and he long occupied an enviable and commendable position in the business circles of New Haven, where his everyday activities marked off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more. His knowledge concerning his business constantly broadened as he studied every phase of it, and from a humble position he worked his way upward until he reached a place among the prominent representatives of industrial activity in New Haven.