The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-20

THE GREAT MORGAN IRON woRKs-GULF OF
MEXICO STEAMERS.
From the New York Evening Mai. ]


From the New York Evening Mall
The thriving and excellent steamship lines be.
tween Ne " Orleans and the coast OF Texas, aud
New Orleans and Mobile are entirely owned by
Charles Morgan, Esq, of this city. He was once
the owner and gave the name to that great iron
working establishment at the foot of North street,
the Morgan Iron Works, now owned by John
Roach Son. His busints IS life has been little less
than remar kable,
He was born in the village of Clinton, Connec-
ticut, and is about seventy years Of age. At four
teen he started forth to seek his daily bread, and
after that the fortune which always fiickers far.
of star in the mind Of ambitious youth. His first
experience was in grocery store, where he
worked very hard. He was prudent and saving
and above all made friends, so tLat after some
years he found himself in position to 90 into the
same business on his own account. Few men were
more energetic, and his judgment in regard to
business ventures was exceedingly far-seeing and
shrewd. He commenced the importation of fruits
from the West Indies, which though business of
great risk, was successful in his hands. He made
money, and soon became the owner Of shares 10
briggs and schooners in that trade. Still growing
In financial strength and business experience, ne
subsequently became the sole owner Of a line of
vessels employ ed in the fruit trade.
he next embarked in the steamship business,
which ne has always continued. He started the
first steamer between New York and Charleston,
and purchasing an interest in another steamer he
placed her in the same trade. With other parties
he then built the steamers William Gibbons, Col.
umbis and New York, by which means he was en-.
abled to establish weekly line between the two
cities. After this he turned his attention to a
business with the coast of Texas. This was in
1885, when the republic Of Texas was at war with
Mexico for its independence. The present flourish.
ing city Of Galveston was then represented Dy a
single house, and, there was no wharf goods
were landed in scOws upon the beach, and carried
into the interior by wagons. Mr.. Morgan put the
steamer Columbia in this trade, and has maintained
it 10 this day amidst losses and discouragemsnts
at the outset which would have appalled, any or
binary man. The coast was unknown, and, in
conse quence, he lost many vessels. He went into
this business, however, as be did all other trans
actions, after mature reflection aud conviction as
TO what the result would be, and he was willing
to test II to the last. He obtained better vessels
and made improvements and changes in mauy
ways. Time has fully realized all his anticipa-
tons, and the business now employs a large fleet
OF frst-cass iron steamers. In his Texas and
Mobile lines he has in all seventeen vessels, of
which he is the sole owner. They run between
New Orleans and Galveston, Indanola, Lavaca
Sabine, Rockport and Brszos Santiago, on the
borders of Mexico, and between New Orleans
and Mobile by way of Lake PontchsItrain. He
established the New Orleans and Mobile line during
the war, after the capture of these cities. These
lines are managed by the same practical system
which has always been characteristic of Morgan's
enterprises. Having no other owners or any
board of directors to interfere with him, he can
exercise his own judgment, and on this he may
safely rely. During his business career he has
built one hundred and seven vessels, sail aud
steam. He visits the Southern sesbosrd cities,
where he has interests, from time to to time, and
generally keeps everything going like clock
work.
AS member of the firm Of 7. F. Leon & Co.,
he was one of the founders of the Morgan Iron
Works in ISIS. In 1850 Mr.. Morgan RETIRED. re-
tanning the ownership of the property. but leaving
the business in the hands Of his son in.law Mr..
George W. Quintard. The engines Of large
number Of frstclass merchant steamers were
built at these extensive works. OF the vessels for
the United States government may be mentioned
the double turreted monitor 0nondags, carrying
the fifteen inch Dahlgren and two Parrot guns.
The sale Of the Morgan works in 1867 was rather
q novel transaction In the manner in which il was
conducted. The works had not been positively