San Bernardino County and Riverside County, California Biographies History of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties By: John Brown, Jr., Editor for San Bernardino County And James Boyd, Editor for Riverside County With selected biography of actors and witnesses of the period of growth and achievement. Volume III, the Western Historical Association, 1922, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. BERT L. MORGAN One of the old philosophers taught that the best way to achieve success was to work at only that which pleases, and in this there is more truth than is generally admitted. Unless a man directs his efforts in behalf of something which interests him he has to struggle against a handicap which oftentimes prevents his attaining tangible results.The first requisite for ultimate success, without doubt, is an aptitude and liking for the work; the second is the determination to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business in every phase; and third, the persistence to keep working hard and saving something from every pay check. If these three rules are closely followed the results are sure to be gratifying. Such has been the experience of Bert L. Morgan, vice-president and general manager of the B. L. Morgan Manufacturing Company of San Bernardino, who has built his present flourishing concern up from very small beginnings, and his own prosperity from nothing. Bert L. Morgan was born in Wellington, Ohio, February 17, 1873, the son of farming people, natives of Ohio. His father was born April 11, 1849, and died in March, 1904. Bert L. Morgan has made his present line of business his life work, commencing it May 15, 1887, when he entered the employ of the Western Automatic Machine Screw Company, with which he remained until March 1, 1906. On May 19, 1904, he was made foreman, which position he held until he left the employ of that concern, and was associated with R. D. Perry and W. W. Fay, who founded the Perry-Fay Company, of which Mr. Morgan was general super- intendent. The business of this company increased very rapidly, additional capital was secured, and a new and larger plant was built. Mr. Morgan remained with the Perry-Fay Company until September 1, 1917. In the meanwhile he had cherished a desire to have a business of his own, and this hope was realized May 5, 1919, when he opened his machine shop at 938 Third Street, San Bernardino, with a very small equipment, consis- ting of two small automatic screw machines and a limited machine tool equipment. However, he knew his business, stuck to it, and laid his plans, for the future. On January 12, 1920, he succeeded in having the B. L. Morgan Manufacturing Company Incorporated, with A. E. Ferris, presi- dent; W. M. Parker, vice-president; J. F. Hosfield, secretary and treasurer; and B. L. Morgan, general manager. On February 26, 1920, the plant was moved to the present quarters, northeast corner of Rialto and East Streets, the premises having been purchased from the San Bernardino Brewing Company. At the annual meeting in January, 1921, the following officials were elected: A. F. Ferris, president; B. L. Morgan, vice-president and general manager; and E. E. Katz, secretary and treasurer. On account of ill health Mr. Katz resigned and R. G. Dromberger was elected as secretary and treasurer of the company. When the B. L. Morgan Manufacturing Company was incorporated, the monthly sales only averaged $1,000, but in the short time this concern has been in existence the sales have so multiplied as to average $8,000 monthly. At the time of incorporation the working force was comprised of Mr. Morgan and one helper. At the present time employment is given to twenty-two. The premises occupied by the plant cover a space of 140 x 150 feet. The building that houses the plant is 100 x 60 feet, and there are a number of outbuildings on the lot. Among the machine equipment of this company are fourteen automatic screw machines, ranging in capacity from three-eighths to two and one-half inches. This company conducts a strictly manufacturing institution, and produced an endless variety of screw machine products, among which are the following: Hexagon, square, fillister, and button head cap screws; square head and headless set screws; thumb screws; collar screws; hexagon nuts; stubs and pins; screws and turned metal parts for scientific instruments, clock, watch, optical, gun, electric, camera, typewriter, adding machine, automobile, aero- plane and tractor work; spark plug parts; hardened and ground work; all articles turned from silver, aluminum, bronze, brass, or steel rods; also taps, dies, and gauges. There is also a finely equipped tool department capable of turning out the highest quality of tools. Mr. Morgan was married first to Nellie M. Shute, who was born at Elyria, Ohio, and died May 5, 1912, leaving three children: Victor S., who was born April 25, 1894, is a machinist and tool maker who has been largely associated with his father in business. He married Marjory Vogler of Elyria, Ohio. They have two children, Rosemary and Robert. Ruth O., who was born May 5, 1896, is the wife of E. A. Ledyard, of San Bernardino. They have three children, Jean Ellen, Wayne and Phillip. Edwin L., who was born October 8, 1899, enlisted and sailed for France on August 5 of that year. He fought throughout the war with the famous Second Division. He went through all engagements and the only wound he received was a scratch on the leg. He was awarded a medal for bravery in action, and was discharged in August 1919, returning to New York just two years after he sailed. He is now engaged with the Standard Oil Company in San Bernardino. In April, 1917, Mr. Morgan married Miss Lura Potter, a native of Ashtabula, Ohio, and a daughter of Eugene M. Potter, and they have four children, namely: Louise Alice, Anna E., David E., and Burt Jr. Mr. Morgan has devoted himself so exclusively to business that he has had but little time for outside matters, although he does take an intelligible interest in local affairs. He is one of the sound and dependable men of San Bernardino County, and holds a high position among his business associates. He is a life member of Lodge No. 836, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of the Macabees, the Royal Arcanum, Huron Tribe No. 200, Red Men, and of the Rotary Club. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce, vice president and general manager of the Sta-tite Nut Company, to which he is devoting his time almost exclusively, is interested in the M & M Manufacturing Company of Wilmington, Los Angeles County, a general machine and manufacturing institution, and was president of the Board of Health at Elyria, Ohio, during the epidemic of contagious diseases. Pages 1086 to 1088. Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, February, 2010.