George W. BRYANT

BRYANT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/23/2011 at 20:20:12

Obituary - George W. Bryant

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, April 3, 1939, p. 7 col. 7

G. W. Bryant Had Retired 2 Years Ago

George W. Bryant, 84, who retired two years ago with a 48 year perfect record as a railroad conductor, died Sunday night in a hospital at McGregor.

Mr. Bryant, who was well known in Mason City, having made the run between McGregor and this community for many years, was taken suddenly ill while on his way to moving picture theater Sunday evening.

The Milwaukee conductor finished his last run on Christmas in 1836 with a record unmarred by accidents. He started as brakeman with the railroad in 1878 at Milwaukee where he was born. He came to the the local [Milwaukee] division in 1880 as a brakeman and and later became a freight conductor. In 1883, he was promoted to the position of passenger conductor.

Fifty six years of his railroading was on the same run through northern Iowa and South Dakota. He took one of the first trains to the Black Hills after the gold boom had started there.

On completion of his last run two years ago he was feted at luncheon in Mason City by the division officials. At the time of his retirement he was considered the oldest conductor left in passenger service on the local division.

Submission by Kay Ehlers, July 12, 2005