William Preacher
William Preacher (1796-1858), British-born Polish engineer
Went to Poland in 1826, and became one of the most outstanding British technical specialists in the Kingdom of Poland. Initially employed in the Fabryce Machin na Solcu (Government Machine Factory in Solec) (Warsaw), in 1827 he directed the reconstruction of the Aleksander iron works, which became the Bialogon Machine Works. Under his direction British machine tools were installed. He then headed (other?) factories in Białogon, which produced machines for Polish factories. It is known that the plants produced parts for Starachowice plants and machinery for blast furnace in Parszowie. During the November Uprising, the factories produced weapons and ammunition. Preacher also supervised the technical aspects of the rolling mill in Nietulisko. At least twice he returned to the UK to investigate British factories and to apply the acquired knowledge to Polish factories and to buy and import various types of machinery. Later he designed and produced agricultural machinery. In 1845 he took over the management of the ironworks in Serocku, owned by Maurycego Koniara. He died on January 28, 1858 in Warsaw.[1]