MORRIS MERCATORIS, Chicago, Illinois; (General Foreman.)
Another example of ambition aided by ability is given in the life of Morris Mercatoris. He was born in Akron, Ohio, August 10, 1869, and moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania, with his parents in 1870, where he received a common school education, and then worked a while as a grocery clerk. On July 3, 1888, he began work in the pit for the Erie road and in November of the same year was advanced to machinist's helper in the shops. In the spring of 1889 he was put on rolls as machinist's apprentice, and after serving his time worked as a machinist until July, 1896, when he was promoted to roundhouse foreman, serving in that capacity until January 1, 1897, when he was promoted to engine dispatcher at Youngstown, Ohio. He served in this capacity until January, 1898, when he was promoted to general foreman at Chicago, which position he still holds.

On December 19, 1894, Mr. Mercatoris was married to Miss Audell C. Rickert, and they have one child, Gerald, aged 4 years, and reside in their pleasant home at 5124 Union avenue, being highly respected by all their acquaintances.


Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.