James
McGrath
Extracted from Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones
and Clayton Counties, Iowa, 1894 Reprinted by Higginson Book Co.,
Salem, Massachusetts, p. 281-282
JAMES MCGRATH, Freight Agent
for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Dubuque, is
one of the oldest railroad employes in years of continued service
west of Chicago, and is one of the most trusted and efficient as
well. With large corporations like railroad concerns, no leniency
is exercised, and every duty must be promptly and faithfully performed.
His fidelity to the trusts reposed in him has brought to Mr. McGrath
long retention in the railway service, and his record is one of
which he may well be proud.
Although of Irish birth, our subject retains no recollection of
the land of his birth, for he was only nine months old when brought
to this country by his parents, John and Ellen (O'Connell) McGrath. |
|
He was born in County Kilkenney, August 16, 1835, and
in 1836 the family came to America, settling at Tomkins Cove, on the
Hudson River in Rockland County, N.Y. There were fourteen children in
the parental family, nine being daughters and four sons, of whom our
subject is the eldest born. Thomas, the second son, was drowned in the
Hudson River, July 4, 1848. During the cholera epidemic in 1854, a sister
died, August 15, a brother August 16, and the mother August 18.
In Rockland County, N. Y., our subject passed the years of early boyhood,
and in the common schools laid the foundation of his education. In 1852
he removed with his family to Chicago, and in the spring of the following
year entered the employ of the Chicago & Illinois, now the Chicago
& Northwestern Railway Company, Securing a clerical position in
the office of that road, he continued in that capacity until 1864.
During that year Mr. McGrath went to Winona, Minn., and for a short
time filled the position of Cashier of the Winona & St. Peter's
Railroad. Somewhat later he went to Rochester, Minn., and was there
employed as agent for four years. In 1870 ho became the agent for the
Milwaukee & St. Paul at Austin, Minn. On the 1st of March, 1882,
he was transferred to Dubuque, being placed in charge of the Freight
and Passenger Departments of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad.
Two years were thus spent, since which time his work has been confined
exclusively to the Freight Department. His railroad service covers a
period of forty-one years, and reflects the highest credit upon his
honesty and uprightness.
On the 14th of April, 1855, occurred the marriage of Mr. McGrath and
Miss Ann A. Mathews, of Chicago, a sister of Thomas Mathews, a prominent
real-estate dealer of that city. They have had ten children: Alice C.,
who was born April 28,1856; Ellen, November 26,1857; Ann, December 16,
1859; Thomas, September 2, 1861; James Henry, November 28, 1868; John
Joseph, September 80, 1865; Mary, December 31, 1867; Alice, February
19, 1870; Ann, April 12, 1872; and Thomas P., March 14, 1874. Six of
the family are deceased, viz.: Ann, who died August 2, 1860; Alice C.,
January 15, 1861; Thomas, June 26, 1864; James Henry, March 25, 1887;
Alice, January 4, 1898, and Mary, August 19, 1894. The surviving members
of the household are Ellen, John J.; Ann, wife of P. Gandolfo; and Thomas
P. The example of the father may well be followed by the children, and
is worthy of emulation by all who wish to live straightforward and honorable
lives. In religious belief Mr. McGrath and his family are connected
with the Catholic Church. In matters pertaining to local advancement
he takes a warm interest, and in politics advocates the Democratic principles.
