The Speedwell Iron Works of Morristown, NJ, was an important early foundry and manufacturer of steam engines, drill presses and sawmill machinery. The business's genesis came from the construction of a water-wheel to power a factory; that 1829 effort was started by Dayton Canfield and was completed by Canfield's father-in-law Stephen Vail. The Works were operated by Stephen Vail from about 1830 until 1853 or a bit before when younger son George Vail took over the Works from his father and operated them as Geo. Vail & Co. The business survived until 1873 when it closed its doors. At least some of the business was taken over by the newly formed Lidgerwood Mfg. Co. of Brooklyn.

In 1837 Alfred was partnered with Samuel Morse when the two men developed the telegraph and Morse code. These ideas were originated by Morse, with Alfred providing his intelligence, enthusiasm and money. The first public demonstration occurred at the Speedwell Iron Works in January of 1838. Considerably more effort was needed before the idea was both practical and accepted, and both Morse and Alfred Vail were involved in the effort. Alfred, feeling that his efforts were not being recognized, ended his telegraphy involvement in 1848. By that time Morse had reduced the combined share of Stephen and George Vail's ownership of the Morse patents to one-eighth. The importance of Alfred's role in the development of telegraphy and Morse code remains a subject of scholarly debate.

Information Sources

• The Wikipedia article on George Vail provides some tidbits on his life and association with Speedwell Iron Works.
• American Steam Engine Builders: 1800-1900 by Kenneth L. Cope, 2006 page 227.
• Ad in 1853 Scientific American says that Logan, Vail & Co. of New York was an agency for Geo. Vail & Co., Speedwell Iron Works.
• Wikipedia biographies of Stephen Vail, George Vail and Alfred Vail.