1921 Duluth & St Louis County MN, Van Brunt.pdf - Garon.us

DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY 889
Wells F. Morong. During the late war the Young Men's Christian
Association was brought prominently before the pubHc and none
of the boys in the service will ever forget the work of the "Y," but
long before that mighty conflict this admirable organization was carrying
on its wonderful efforts in behalf of the young men of the country,
'and is still so engaged. The various branches all over the country
owe much of their efficiency in times of peace, just as they did during
the war, to the capable efforts of the secretaries, upon whom rest much
of the responsibility of operation. They are men chosen for their special
fitness for the work, and are without exception earnest, sincere and
hard-working, laboring for the cause more than for personal advancement,
and always occupying a leading position among the constructive
element of the community in which they are located. One of these dependable
men, who has devoted the greater part of his life to the
work, is Wells F. Morong of Proctor, general secretary of the Duluth,
Missabe and Northern Railway Young Men's Christian Association.
Wells F. Morong was born in Maine, October 3, 1875, a son of
Daniel Morong, grandson of William Morong, and a member of an
old American family that is traced back to France. William Morong was
a seafaring man who died at Dennysville, Maine. Daniel Morong also
was a seaman and commanded his vessel. He is still living, making his
home at Rowley, Massachusetts, to which place he took his family
when his son Wells F. was sixteen years old and the latter spent six
years as a hand or shipmate with his father. During the Civil war Daniel
Morong enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry,
and was made a corporal. He and his wife had a family of five sons and
five daughters, of whom four sons and three daughters are now living,
and of them all Wells F. Morong was the fourth in order of birth
Mr. Morong was educated in the public schools of Maine, Day's Commercial
College of Portland, Maine, and the Young Men's Christian Association
College at Springfield, Massachusetts. When he was sixteen
years old he began to be self-supporting, and followed in the, footsteps
of his father and grandfather, turned to the sea and for six years followed
it, visiting the cities of South America on coasting trips. He
then was connected with a wholesale tea and coffee house in Boston, Mas-
sachusetts, for two years, following which he became a traveling salesman.
After a short time he took a position as bookkeeper for a wholesale
grocery house of Portland, Maine, but becoming interested in his
present line of work decided to devote himself to it, and as such has been
stationed in different parts of the country.
In 1907 he was sent to Proctor and has superintended the erection
of the present Y. M. C. A, building, which was constructed exclusively
for the use of the employes of the Duluth, Missabe and Northern
Railroad. It is eciuipped with all modern conveniences for conducting
all of the departments, including a large gymnasium and swimming
pool. It has a large and enthusiastic membership, and the influence for
good exerted over the men is uncjuestioned.
Mr. Morong was married September 7, 1907, at Portland, Maine,
to Miss Caroline Clark, who was educated in the public schools of that
city. Her parents are of Scotch descent. Mrs. Morong is a worthy as-
sociate of her husband in social uplift work, and has been very active
in the United Society of Christian Fndcavor and is one of the branch
organizers of this association. While at Portland. Maine, she was president
of the local organization. Hoth Mr. and Mrs. Morong are active
members of the Methodist l*:piscopal Church, and since coining to Functor
have been zealous in tlicir eflorts in behalf of their church here.
They have three children, namely: Daniel, who was born March 2, 1910;