Morgan Emanuel was born in North Wales in 1805. He was the son of a sea-faring man, his father being a shipmaster. Morgan Emanuel also began his business career as a seaman, but later he left that occupation and became engaged with the iron works at Dowlais, Wales in contracting and furnishing supplies.

Morgan Emanuel was first married in Wales to Mary Jenkins, and they had one child that lived to maturity, Morgan Emanuel, Jr., born March 18, 1831. Mary (Jenkins) Emanuel died in Wales and Morgan Emanuel, Sr. left for America in 1844. He first settled near Pottsville, Pennsylvania where he engaged as a mining contractor. About 1846, he came to Catasauqua and became connected with the Lehigh Crane Iron Works, his business being to supply the furnaces and to inspect the ore. He also contracted supplies for other furnaces and he was a stockholder in the Thomas Iron Company.

At Easton on February 22, 1856, Morgan Emanuel married for a second time, Miss Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Robert and Jane (Maddah) Miller. From this union the following children were born: Margaret, born 1858, died 1924; Thomas, born 1861, died 1892; and Jane, born 1862, died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel resided in their beautiful home at 226 Pine Street, which they had built in 1868. Morgan Emanuel was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church and in politics he was a staunch Republican.

Morgan Emanuel, Sr. passed away on April 11, 1884 and his remains were interred at Fairview Cemetery. Elizabeth (Miller) Emanuel died on March 17, 1894 and her remains were also interred in the Emanuel family plot at Fairview Cemetery.