William Finlayson 1812-1896

FINLAYSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/31/2014 at 23:23:28

William Finlayson, the oldest railroad conductor in the United States, died at Mount Carroll, Ills. He was 84 years old and ran the first railroad train in the country. (Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, IA, August 28, 1896)

Conductor of The First Passenger
William Finlayson, Who Died at Mt. Carroll Last Week, Ran the First Passenger Train in America
Mount Caroll, Ill., Aug. 30 – [Special] – William Finlayson, who died last week, was born near Wick, in the County of Caithness, Scotland, Aug. 1, 1812. In 1830 he moved to Nova Scotia. He came to Mount Carroll in 1843, and settled in Oakville, near the city, where he has since resided.

He was a conductor of the first passenger train run in America. This was on Sept. 29, 1839, and the train ran from the Albion mines to the Town of Picton. The train was drawn by the old-time engine, now famous as having been at the World’s Fair, “Sampson,” and made but four miles an hour.

Mr. Finlayson was quiet and unobtrusive, and was well liked by everybody.

He leaves three sons and two daughters. The sons are D.W. Finlayson of Des Moines, Ia.; C.G. Finlayson of this place; and the third is Recorder of Deeds at Grundy Center, Ia. (Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL, August 31, 1896)

Death of Wm. Finlayson
He Was the Oldest Railway Conductor in America
Dr. D. W. Finlayson returned last evening from attendance upon his father’s funeral at Mt. Carroll, Ill. His father, William Finlayson, died at the advanced age of 84, and he held the distinction of being the oldest living railroad conductor in America. On Trainman’s Day, recently celebrated in Chicago, Mr. Finlayson was the guest of honor. The Chicago Tribune telegraphed for full particulars of his death and published on Sunday last an article reciting his achievements, together with his portrait. (Des Moines Daily News, Des Moines, IA, September 2, 1896)

Wm. Finlayson, father of Dr. Finlayson of Armstrong, died at Mt. Carroll, Ills., last week [per cemetery records August 26, 1896], aged 84 years. Mr. Finlayson is said to be the first passenger conductor in this country, having run a train in September, 1839, between Albion mines and the town of Picton. (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, September 17, 1896)