The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-01
MR.. W. G. 0AKMAN RESIGNS
The First YiCe-PreSidency Of the Richmond
and panVille Railroad Company.
tYERY SERIOUS LOSS TO THE SYSTEM
Sketch of His Career-PromiHent In Bust
meas aud Social way-Bis New Posi-
ton with a New Jersey Road.

tton with a New Jersey bouds
The Richmond and Danville Railroad has
become such factor in the welfare of Rich
mond. and indeed Of the whole South, that
whatever concerns its management is Of very
general interest.
From tho tiree that the control Of the Dan
VILE railroad and its subordinate lines passed
out Of the hands of the syndicate of Rich
mond men. who controlled its destines, it has
been owned in New York, and for the most
part managed there.
Conspicuous among those who have guided
SIS physical and financial destinies for eight
years past is Mr.. W. q. Oakman, whose resig-
nation as first vice-president takes elect to-
day
knowing that this gentleman has won the
universal confidence and respect of the South
ern people with whom both in business and
socially he has been thrown, The TINES gives
a sketch Of his career as a railroad man. not
Fonly as a well deserved tribute IF respect %
friend of the South. but that the recognition
and appreciation Of such merit may encour-
age others TO emulate Mr.. Oakman, whose
resignation as first ice-president, 1t Is well
known by all acquainted with the man and
the property entails severe loss upon tho
whole Richmond and Danvlle railroad
system.
Though scarcely forty years Of age, Mr..
Oakman has had an unusually valuable tram
ing in railroad service, and Is one OF the Few
practical railroad managers OF tins country
whose professional information embraces eH-
perience in the financial as well rs the ope-
rating and mechanical departments:
Mr.. Oakman was born IN Philadelphia, fa''
where the early years of his life We're spent.
After graduating from the University OF
PENNSYLVANIA he went to Paterson, n. j.,
where his father owned large SILK factory
and was then residing.
Together with Mr.. Il. =. Hayes, now presl,
dent of the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad
Company. and who was for many years wee
president and manager of Mr.. GOulds South
western system Mr.. Oakman entered almost
immedia tely after graduating from college
the works of the Rogers Locomotive and Ma
chine Company at Paterson.
He served regular apprenticeship IN All
the departments of these extensive works, be
coming an expert in both the theoretical and
practical knowledge of locomotive building.
At the expiration Of his service with the
Rogers Company, Mr.. Oakman accepted
position Of confidence 6: the head OF one OF
the departments of John S. kennedy d Co.,
New York bankers.
While he was with this firm they under
took the promotion and construction of the
ST. Paul Minneapolis and Manitoba railroad,
now the Great Northern. and also the Inter
uatiOIlal ana tIItAJ NOILDtIL lhliIOd1O VI ltAtto.
In 1877 Mr. Oakman accepted the superln-
tendency of the Utica division of the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western railroad,
which position he occupied until 1882, bring
ing that portion of the company's property
from a condition OF appropriateness to one
Of profit and importance.
Upon the resignation of this position he re-
turned to New York and established an Office
at No. 18 Wall street rs a railroad expert. which
he maintained until the fall of 1888, when he
accepted the third vice-presidency of the
Richmond and Danvlle Railroad Company,
receiving charge Of the financial and account
Ing departments, including the New York
financial office of the company.
Mr. Oakman has renamed in the service Of
the Richmond and Danville Railroad Com
pany since that time. with the exception Of
brief period in 1887, when he resigned, becOm-
ing member of the banking house Of Smith,
Oaknan Ryan.
On his return to the Richmond and Dan
vile Railroad Company IN 1887 he was made
second vice-president, having supervision Of
the operating, financial and accounting de-
partments.
In 1888 he was made first vice-president
having general charge of all departments of
the company.
When Mr. Oakman first entered the service
OF the Richmond and Danville Railroad Com
peny it had a large floating debt and its finan-
cinl needs for the improvement of Its physi-
cal condition, new equipment, ETC., were large
and urgent.
With faith in the South and in the future of
this great railroad, which faith has never
since tagged nor varied Mr. Oakman worked
for the improvement and development of this
property with all the zeal and enthusiasm Of
his warm nature, ably aiding with skill and
experience the efforts of the managers TO
build it up and extend 1t.
Being a practical railroad man, Mr.. Oak
man has been able to and has always shown
proper appreciation of the work of his subor-
dinate officers and employees, meeting service
we'll done with applause, and errors with con-
sideratiOn and kindness.
These qualities have endeared him alike to
the officers and employees of the Richmond
and Danville system, and no one will regret
the severance of his official relations more
than they do, while his skill, modesty and I'M
assuming manners have always secured for
him the respect and confidence Of the dlrec-
tors of the company.
In 1878 Mr.. Oakman married Miss Elizabeth
Conkling, the only enid Of the late ROs-
coe Conkling of New York.
Mrs. Oakman is a niece of the late HOratiO
Seymour, of New York, and is a cousin of
MIR. Fairchild late Secretary of the United
States Treasury
Mr. Oakman leaves the management of the
Richmond and Danvllle railroad tOaccepta pO-
sition of equal responsibility with the Central
railroad of New jersey, which terminates at
New York, his home thereby avoiding Il sep
aratiOn from his family and frequent and pro-
longed absence from home necessary III the
management of so extensive a property as
hat controlled by the Richmond and DanYile
Railroad Company.