Dye, George W.

DYE

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/8/2020 at 17:44:12

George W. Dye is a Division Roadmaster of the Southwestern and Oskaloosa division of the C., R. I. & P. R. R., with headquarters at Washington. He has also charge of the maintenance of all bridges and buildings in the territory covered by the two divisions. Mr. Dye is a native of Virginia, born in 1836, but reared in Muskingum County, Ohio, there receiving a liberal education in the common schools. He early evinced a taste for railroading, his first venture being as an engineer on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, after which he was in the employ of the Wabash Valley Railway company, in charge of a gang of men.
In 1860, when but twenty-four years of age, Mr. Dye was employed as Superintendent of Construction of the Pekin, Peoria & Jacksonville Railroad. In 1862 he became connected with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad as Roadmaster and Superintendent of buildings, with headquarters at Geneseo, Ill. In 1869 he was transferred by the company to Davenport, and placed in charge as Roadmaster of the main line from Davenport to Brooklyn, and the Oskaloosa branch. In September, 1875, he came to Washington, and was given charge of the construction of the Oskaloosa branch from Sigourney to Knoxville, Iowa. After completing this work, he was assigned to his present position. He has now under his supervision 505 miles of road which he has to keep in repair, while at the same time he has charge of all buildings and bridges on his division. To do the work he has under him 1,000 men, in the various departments of building, track laying, repairs, etc.

Mr. Dye is a thorough railroad man, and an expert in all matters pertaining to his line of work. That he has given satisfaction to the company is attested by his remaining in its employ now for a quarter of a century, and by his promotion from one responsible position to another.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of George W. Dye, pages 413-414.