Source: History of Oakland County, Michigan, By Thaddeus D. Seeley 1912

Morgans, William

William Morgan, Superintendent of the L. R. Medbury Gas Works in Pontiac, which was established in 1862, is a prominent and popular citizen of Pontiac, residing in a pleasant home at No. 36 Wessen St. The gas works were formerly called the Pontiac Gas Works, and were operated under this title until 2873, when they were sold out and purchased by the present company and the name changed. Mr. Morgans has been Superintendent of the works since 1880. He was born in the city of New York, Oct 5, 1844, and the youngest son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Edwards) Morgans. The father , who was a native of Glamorganshire, Wales, emigrated to the United States when quite young and made his home with his parents in New York City. The mother, also of Welsh decent,was a native of New York City and the daughter of John Edwards Esq. She died at Detroit, Mich. Jan 17, 1881. Isaac Morgan was in early life a shoemaker and manufacturer of boots and shoes. He died in Connecticut a short time before the birth of our subject. The orphan boy was carefully reared by his mother and educated in the city schools of New York. He then served an apprenticeship of three years to learn the trade of sailmaker and from 1865 to 1867, he traveled as a journeyman. During the days of the Civil War, our subject responded to the call of his country and enlisted in 1862 in the First New York Independent Battalion with a term of service of two years. Upon the consolidation of the regiment he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant, but after remaining at home tow months he re-enlisted in the Eight New York Cavalry. He belonged to the Third Division of the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the following engagements: Yorktown; and the siege and capture of Morris Island, S. C.; Kenshaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. He accompanied Sherman on the famous march to the sea, and at Milledgeville, Ga., was taken prisoner, and confined for six months at Florence, S.C. He was then transfered to Richmond, Va. and exchanged, after which he rejoined his regiment which was stationed at cloud's mills, VA. On Jun 27, 1865 he received his discharge, after which he went to the city of New York and in October of the same year drifted westward.</br></br>The first stopping place of Mr. Morgans in the West was in the southern part of Illinois, thence he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged making sails for vessels. In the year 1866 he came to Detroit, Mich. and after four years carried on the same business, thus fitting himself for his present position which he assumed in Sep. 1880. Mr. Morgans was united in marriage, nov18, 1867, with Mrs. mary E. Pettenger, at Detroit. Mrs. Morgans is the daughter of James A. Cole and was reared in Detroit. Our subject and his good wife are the parents of four children; Onithia K., wife of Edward Morrell, now of Chicago; Florence E.; Anna A. and Morgans, the last three still being at home. The political affiliation of Mr. Morgans are with the Republican party. he has held some offices of municipal and township responsibility and has served two terms as Alderman of the first ward. He is a member of Pontiac Lodge No 3, I. O. O. F., Pontiac Lodge No 21, F. &. A. M.; chapter R. A. M., Commandery K.T.,and the Shrine at Detroit. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of the Uniform Rank in which he is First Lieutenant, and also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and the Ancient Order of United Workman. He is past Commander of the Dick Richardson Post G. A. R. and is a Director in the State Home Aquatic Club. Religiously he is a useful and consistent member of the Episcopal Church.