We worked through the pressures of World War I and World War II when maintaining the tracks was essential for the movement of soldiers and supplies.

At the time of World War II, he was in charge of the Rail Yard.  Most of his employees were in the Army.  The railroad brought men up from Mexico to handle the labor, but few of them could speak English.  As a result, they didn’t find many things to do outside of work, and spent many Saturday evening on the front porch of our home.  Even though my father communicated by sign language (of a sort), they knew they could trust him.  My Dad planned on retiring in 1957 but unfortunately died in December 1956 and was just a few months short of his goal of 50 years of service.

My Grandfather was born on October 16, 1866.  After working with the CB&Q in several states, he was transferred to Galesburg, Illinois.  He was Master Carpenter with his office on the second floor of the old depot.  He was in charge of the construction of Lake Rice and Lake Bracken in the early 1920’s.  He also worked on the railroad bridge over the Mississippi River near Quincy, Illinois. 

I remember going with him on his powered handcar that travelled on the railroad tracks.  He always carried a large carpetbag.  It usually had food, drink, and a gun for safety.

He was very proud of his railroad employment and retired in 1936 at the age of 70.  Many hours were then spent at Lake Rice because he was an avid fisherman.  He passed away in 1949.  I am now age 85 but still remember my grandfather as a strong, kind man whom I have always admired.

I.W. was drafted into the Army in 1944. During WWII he served in the US Army with the 745^th Railroad Operating Battalion Company D in Europe from 1944 to 1946. When his Army days ended, Ivan and Veta returned to Galesburg so he could resume working for the C.B. & Q. Ivan worked for the C.B. &Q. and the Burlington Northern Railroads as a fireman and an engineer until he retired in 1980.

He was a hard worker and he rarely laid off when called for work. Ivan and Veta had three daughters, Delores, Karen, and Janice. Ivan loved his family and he always made sure they took a nice family vacation every year. When he was home between runs to Chicago and even after he retired he enjoyed gardening, fixing things around the house and spending time with his children and later grandchildren. Ivan and Veta were married 63 years. Ivan died first from cancer on May 2, 2004 and Veta died soon after on August 17, 2004. They are buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Galesburg, Illinois.

Later after settling in Illinois Thomas drove a semi before beginning his career with the railroad. He started with the CB&Q prior to working as a load foreman for Burlington Northern. Thomas then spent 19 years loading semis with railroad ties at Koppers, Inc. Thomas’ career working in and around the Galesburg Yard spanned 41 years.

Thomas married his wife Georgia in Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1996 where he loved to visit. He loved traveling, camping, fishing, gardening, but the thing he loved the most was spending time with his two children, four step children, one granddaughter, seven great grand children, and his dog.

Thomas was a great husband, friend, and neighbor. He never said no to anyone in need and enjoyed life and working with his buddies at Burlington Northern.

He split his time in the office at the GOB on Jackson and Clinton, Patrolling the yards and acting as a driver/bodyguard for the President of the railroad whenever he came into town. He drove for both Louis Menk and Don King. He covered train derailments, followed trains carrying hazardous materials and investigated losses of freight. In his early years he spent countless hours in court testifying against people he had arrested breaking into boxcars.

He served as Special Agent, and Asst. Chief Special Agent in both the Chicago and Galesburg, Illinois Divisions. He was trained at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy and was a member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. He retired in 1995 while employed by the Burlington Northern Railroad.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, cooking, jazz, and wine… making it and drinking it. He loved history, gunsmithing, the New York Times crossword puzzle and a great loaf of sour dough bread. He was a kidney transplant recipient and thanked daily the family of the 18 year old that gave him an extra 8 years with his family.

He left behind his wife of 33 years, his daughter and two granddaughters.

He touched more lives than he will ever know and was thought of as a fair and decent man. We miss him.

Ted was an engineer with the Chicago and North Western Railroad for more than 30 years; starting in freight service and finishing his career running a commuter train (now a Metra West line). He loved every minute of his railroad career.

Continuing his love of rails, he was an active volunteer with the Midwest Electric Railway Association in Mt. Pleasant, IA. When he died, he was the most senior member with 34 years of volunteer service, and at that point, he was a Director and Chief Dispatcher and head of the Signal Department.

He loved people and helping out wherever he could. It was in this spirit that he joined the Bishop Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Tragically this endeavor brought about his untimely death. He was assisting on a rescue call with the Department when he was struck and fatally injured by an oncoming truck. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has honored his sacrifice at the Foundation’s national headquarters.

Ted was a direct descendant of the founder of Bishop Hill and enjoyed walking in his footsteps throughout the village.

His love of trains carries on as one son works for the UP and all the grandchildren share his love of trains. (A commuter train is known by them as a Grammpa Train.)

Returning to Galesburg in 1926 Bert was employed as a fireman on the C.B.&Q. working on the Galesburg Division making runs to Peoria, Rock Island and Quincy. He also worked out of Clinton, Iowa. During his career he had been on switch engines and fright trains as well as passenger runs.

When he returned to Galesburg he met our mother, Hazel Griffith, at the West Main Street Maid-Rite where she was employed. They were married on November 10, 1928.

During the depression he was laid off and we moved to Macomb where he drove a truck for Dohrn Transfer and was the local manager. At Christmas time in 1936 he was called back by the C.B.&Q. to work in Galesburg. After a couple of years he was again laid off and worked for the WPA until he again was called back to the railroad. Remembering when Dad was on the Extra List and we didn’t have a phone a “Call Boy” came from the Round House to our home on a bicycle to give him his orders. Once on a family vaction on the Denver Zephyr the train was having trouble with the air conditioning. The engineer and crew knew Bert was on board. They came back to the passenger car and asked for Bert’s help and soon the cool air was on again.

Bert retired in 1970 with an accident free record. His wife and 5 children have many great memories of their lives together. After a short illness Bert died in 1985.