grave import

Obituary

James W. Working is dead. He was one of the old, faithful Burlington route men, who had served the company well in various capacities, who was widely known and universally liked. His death was not unexpected, but the news is no less sad and there will be honest grief for the departed, and those who knew him well will ever hold him in kindly remembrance. James W. Working was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1845, and his railroad life began at Galesburg, where he entered the service of the Burlington route at the age of seventeen. He was promoted to yard master here in January, 1874, where he did good work for two years, when he entered the train service as passenger conductor, running between Burlington and Creston, in 1881 he was appointed trainmaster with headquarters at Burlington, serving in this capacity until 1889, when the office was moved to Ottumwa, whereupon he re-entered the train service, running until December, 1905, when he suffered a severe paralytic stroke while on duty. His condition did not improve and his retirement from the service became necessary. He has been an invalid of late. James W. Working was a member of Alpha Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Galesburg, and of Iowa Chapter of the R.A. M., of this city; the St. Omer Commandery K.T. and of the Order of Railway Conductors. Mr. Working was married December 23, 1873, to Miss Lillian Archer, of Princeton, Ill., who survives him, with two children, Frank S. and Miss Evelyn, who makes her home with her mother in this city. He also leaves a brother, Mr. A.M. Working, of Augusta, Ill., who is in feeble health and will not be able to attend the funeral, which will be held from the Congregational church Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, and will be in charge of St. Omer Commandery of the Knights Templers.