Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-04-17
DEATH OF JUDGE CHANDLER.
Brother Of Col. A. 3. Chandler and
Prominent Citizen Of St. Paul.

Prominent Citizen Of St. Paul.
The st. Paul Globe OF Apr. LIST announc-
ed the death the preceding day of Judge
! J. A. Chandler Of that city. Judge Chand-
Ter was brother Of Col. ABB. Chandler and
native OF this town which he left many
years ago. He was a visitor al Col. Chand-
/ Ter S summer home here for two weeks last
/ year, and renewed with keen enjoyment
/ the memories of boyhood. The Globe
article folloWs:-
Judge John A. Chandler, general agent
of the Chicago, Milwaukee q 81. Paul
railroad, In this city, and the oldest rail-
road man in point Of continuous service
in the country died last night at 10 o'clock.
at his home, 229 East Ninth street, aged
n years. The death OF Judge Chandler
came very suddenly. He had been ailing
for many months past, and was quite
feeble, but his condition had not been re-
garded as dangerous. He was suddenly
taken with a severe attack Of rheumatism
OF the heart, and expired within an hour.
No arrangements have been made for the
funeral.
Judge Chandler was one OF the best
known citizens OF St. Paul. For over 80
years he had been stationed here as agent
OF the Milwaukee road, and during that
time he was a prominent figure on the
streets of the city. Although he never
fully retired from active work, increasing
age forced him to turn over his duties one
by one TO younger hands, and for the past
year he has been more or less confined TO
his home.
For As years he was connected with the
Milwaukee road. He built the best years
Of his life into that great institution, and
contributed in a large degree TO its earlier
successes. He saw the generation that
grew up with him pass away, and new
generation take its place, but he stuck
faithfully to his post to the last.
His judgment was always an influential
factor in the affairs of the road which he
served SO long and faithfully
He was known far and wide in railroad
circles, and had an extensive acquaintance
outside OF his railroad connections.
He was a sturdy New Highlander and his
character was marked by the grit and de-
termination Of the typical Yankee In ap-
pearance he was a commanding figure
straight and stalwart and military in his
bearing. Personally he was a most kind
ly and loyable man, of charming perional
address, dignified and conscientious in
every mental trait, a natural leader Of men,
consummate manager and diplomat, and
successful executive. He was famous as a
wit and story-teller and his good cheer
and heartiness were proverbial OF late
years he retired somew hat from the public |
gaze, and took less interest in general af- 1
fairs than he formerly manifested. He /
himself confessed a short time ago that /
he felt somewhat solitary and alone, as |
nearly all of his own generation had pass /
ed away, and in their places were new I
forms and faces.
Judge Chandler was known as the |
'Dean of American Railway Men," and /
1t is doubtful If any railroad man in the \
country ever had an equal record Of con- /
tlnuous service in the work. For 40 years 4
he was in the employ OF the Milwaukee /
road, thirty of which he was the general /
agent OF the company in st. Paul. He be. 4
gan his work with the Milwaukee road on
Aug. IL, 1858. The company at that time /
had but AZ miles Of track and there were
no railroads between st. Paul and Chicago.
Judge Chandler's brother, Derwin, was
the first locomotive engineer on the Mil
waukee system. Speaking of his connec-
tion with the Milwaukee a short time ago
Judge Chandler said:
Il came West and wanted a lob and
finally met man who was the Milwau-
KEGS general freight agent, general pas
senger agent, paymaster and several other
things He gave me position. The first
time | ever saw Mr. Miller, thirty years
our general manager, he was shoveling
dirt IN gravel pit, and paid him off. He
50 cents a day.
''In 1855 went out to the end of the
inc as cashier, and somehow stayed at the
front until ! got TO st. Paul. The road
reached Portage, Wis, on ST. Patrick's
day, 1851, and ! was agent there until July.
1893. We pushed the road through fo
sparta and was agent there for twelve
years and had freight car for my Office
Tor several months. / took an interest in
local affairs, became president Of the vii
age board, drifted into both branches Of
he legislature at different times and other
wise proved my citizenship. / came to St.
Paul in 1870
The news Of Judge Chambers death
anne as shock to the community in
which he was so well known and so uni
'ersally loved. His friends had no fnti-
nation whatever that his end was near.
ma although IL was known that he was
somewhat feeble and infrm. natural
hing in man of his years and work. no
me believed that his life was SO close IA
Is end.