SEARLES, John W.

SEARLES, WEBSTER

Posted By: Karyn - volunteer
Date: 2/3/2017 at 20:15:29

THE SIDNEY ARGUS-HERALD
March 3, 1932
"30 Years Ago This Week"

Much of the front page of the Herald this week was devoted to a story and picture of John W. Searles, who was then retiring as conductor of the branch line after twenty-three years of service.

Mr. Searles was born near Springfield, Ohio, but at the age of 24 came to Iowa, first locating at Brighton and later at Fairfield. It was at this latter place that he entered the employ of the Burlington road, then known as the B. & M.

He came to Sidney in 1879 and had worked continuously with the Burlington from that date until the time of his retirement. In September of 1869 he ran the first through passenger train from Plattsmouth east and in January of the next year ran through the Council Bluffs.

Upon the day of his retirement a group of citizens of Macedonia presented him with a fine Waltham gold watch. This watch is now in the possession of his grandson, C. E. Webster. At Hastings he was presented with a $20 gold piece, tokens of the esteem in which his many friends along his run held him.

(Originally posted, July 1, 2003; by Walter Farwell, longtime volunteer of Fremont County, IAGenWeb.)