New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-05
SKETCH OF PRESIDENT RUrTER.

James III. Rutter, the new president of the New
| York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company,
| has been connected with the company only eleven
| years. In that time, however, he has stamped
his individuality upon its policy and man.
agcment to an extent that Is generally
recognized among railroad men. Rising from the
position of general freight agent to that of presi-
dent, in every place LIE has displayed qualities
which raised him to the level OF his next superior
officer. His services were secured to the New-York
Central by William II. Vanderbilt, and the latter
has especially relied upon the experience, ability
and judgment OF his chief lieutenant since the
death of Commodore Vanderbilt.
Mr.. Rutter was born in Lowell Mass, 10 1885.
While be was an infant his parents moved to Provi-
dence. II. J., where he received his education
Instead OF taking classical course he entered the
Scholfed Commercial College where he
remained until tho latter part Of 1853.
His parents removed to Elmira. n. Y, in
1850. In 1854, disrcgarding the purpose of his
father to make him bookkeeper, Mr.. Rut.er en-
tered the freight Office of the Erie Railway in FL
mira as clerk In 1855 he went to Williamsport.
Penn, as the chief CLERK of the Williamsport and
Elmlra Railroad, now one of the members OF tho
Pennsylvania Railroad system. In the latter
part of 1857 he took clerkshiD in the Chicago:
office Of the Lake Shore Railroad, soon alterwan
being appointed freight agent at Chicago OF the
Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad, now a part of
the Chicago and Northwestern Railway system. In
1860 Mr.. Rutter was recalled by the Erie road TO
take charge OF its station Mt Elmira, and he re-
mained there during the civil war, supervising the
transfer of troops and freight from the West
by of the Pennsylvania Railroad to the seat OF
war. in 1854 he was promoted to the freight
agency of the Erie road at Buffalo, and ia 1886 be
became assistant general freight agent OF tue road
While in this position, having special charge of the
local business OF tho rDad he attracted the atten-
ton of w. H. Vanderbilt, who induced
his father TO appoint him general freight
agent OF the New-York Central In 1877 Mr.. Rut-
ter was made a director OF the Central and was
given supervision of the entire business Of the route
as general traffic manager. His promotion was
due to his skill IN managing the New York Central
dunng the great railroad war OF 1876. In 1850
the position OF third vice-presdent was
mained in that Office ever since. The management
of the Vanderbilt system was practically ip his
hands, under the direction of Mr. YaRderbt, and
in 1881 Mr.. Rutter broke down from oyerwork
and was compelled TO take partial vacation Tor
nearly year.
THE OTHER NEW PRESIDENTS.
John Newell the new president of the Lake Shore
and Michigan Southern, was formerly general
superintendent of the Ncw-York Central. Subsc-
qucntly he was president of the Cleveland and To-
ledo road, now part of the Lake Shore system and
at one time president of the Illinois Central Rail-
road -, =,
II. B. Ledyard, the new president of tho Michigan
Central received moss Of his railroad education on
that road lie is graduate of West Point served
as an officer in the Army, and Is the grandson oil tile
late General Cass