Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1409
MAHONEY, JAMES ANTHONY , chief train dispatcher of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, at Springfield, which position he has held since the spring of 1910, has been connected with this road for a decade, beginning as a helper on section work. From that humble position he has risen to his present one through faithfulness and sheer ability. He was born at Clarksdale, Christian County, Ill., September 26, 1881. Attending the public schools of his native place until he was eight years old, his studies were interrupted by the family removal to Streator, Ill., where he finished them, leaving school at fifteen years of age. At this tender age he entered the employ of the old Jacksonville & Southeastern Road, now the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, and learned telegraphy in his odd moments, installing an instrument in his own home for this purpose. His ambitions were gratified by appointment as operator and agent at Marion, Ill., whence he was later sent to Glen Carbon to act for the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis and St. Louis & Northern. He was then sent to Mt. Olive as day operator and assistant agent, and in 1898 was stationed in Springfield as operator and billing clerk for the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad. He was then with the Chicago & Alton Road as operator and bill clerk. At the end of ten months he went with George W. Chatterton, proprietor of a jewelry establishment and opera house. However, Mr. Mahoney felt he was better fitted for railroad work, so returned to the employ of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Road as train dispatcher, and received a deserved promotion to his present responsible position.
Mr. Mahoney is a son of the late Thomas Mahoney, born in Ireland, who came to the United States in young manhood. Landing in New York City, he came direct from there to Springfield and helped in building the Wabash railroad and the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Locating in Springfield, he was connected with railroad work until his death in 1905. He married Johanna Lynch, born in Ireland, who came to Litchfield, Ill., where she lived until her marriage. There were nine children in the family, six of whom survive: Delia, Mrs. J. M. Anderson of St. Louis; Mary, Ella, Edward; Agnes, Mrs. N. E. Mann, deceased; Thomas of Streator, married Effie Stieff; James A.; and two died in infancy, Margaret and Ellen.
Mr. Mahoney was married in Springfield, June 21, 1908, to Florence Courtney, of Waverly, Ill., daughter of Carl C. Courtney. Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney are members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. In politics he is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is an energetic, responsible young mane, whose ambitions have always guided him to strive for higher places, and he has never failed to meet the expectations of this employers.