Milton M. Preston 1857-1925

PRESTON, FORKER, PLATT, LEATON, ROBINSON, HODGE

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 9/14/2010 at 15:23:09

Milton Miller Preston second son of Elford Preston and
Sarah Ann Forker Preston, was born in Philadelphia, Pa.,
May 5, 1857 and departed this life February 22, 1925
in Oelwein, Iowa at the age of 67 years, 9 months and
17 days.
He spent his childhood, attended public school and grew
to manhood in his native state of Pennsylvania. He was
united in marriage November 14, 1878, at Rohrsburg,
Pa., to Mary E. Platt, who preceded him in death June 18,
1910. Unto this union were born three sons and two
daughters --- Ethel Leaton and Warren L. Preston of
Oelwein, Iowa; Sterling E. Preston of Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
Lulu Robinson of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Cresssy W.
Preston of Willmilington, California.
Two years following their marriage, in the fall of 1880,
they came West, making their home in and near Hampton,
Iowa. In 1886 they moved to Sumner, Iowa and continued
to live there until the fall of 1903 when they moved to
Oelwein, which continued to be his home until the time
of his death. While at Hampton he began work in the
roundhouse there. This opened up the way to his life's
work ---- that of locomotive engineer. In the fall of 1881
he began to run an engine for the old Dubuque and
Dakota Railroad operating between Hampton and Sumner.
He became an employe of the Great Western Railroad
when this line was taken over by them. He remained in
the active service of this company until November, 1918.
He held a long and uncloudy record with the company,
an enviable record of which he was justly very proud.
He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, Division No. 670 and a charter member of the
Chicago Great Western Railroad Company Veterans
association. In 1892 he united with the Methodist
Episcopal church in Sumner, Iowa, transferring his
membership to Grace Methodist church in Oelwein in
Oelwein when he took up residence here.
He leaves to mourn his loss his five children, one sister,
Mrs. Eliza Hodge of Grand Rapids, Michigan and two
brothers, Cornelius Preston of Helena, Montana and
Elford C. Preston of Homedale, Idaho, nine grandchildren
and a host of friends.
Burial services were held at the home of his son Warren
L. and at Grace Methodist church Tuesday afternoon at
2:30 by Rev. A. W. Henke, his minister. Interment was made
in Woodlawn cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa by the side of his wife
and life companion.

Oelwein Daily Register - 25 Feb 1925