The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-04-29
At the Ripe Age Of 81 Years,
Well Known Local Man Died
Early Today from Effects
Of Paralysis.
LIVED IN RICHMOND
MUCH OF HIS LIFE
Before Becoming a Railroad
Man Mr.. Van Dusen Was
Steamboat Man on Ohio and
the Mississippi.

Quietly and peacefully the long and
useful life OF James Van Dusen. aged
% years. probably the Oldest railroai
official in the United States. was
brought to an end early this morning
Mt his home. 206 North Thirteenth
street. Death was due to senility and
stroke Of paralysis, sustained seven
weeks ago today. The deceased II
survived by one son. Joseph Van Du
sen Of Chicago and three daughters
Mrs. Charles Fiske. of Evansville
Mrs. Eugene Price and Miss Kate Van
Dusen of this city. His wife died in
1900.
Mr.. Van Dusen was born in Colum
biana, N. Y. on May 9, 1912. He was
reared to farming but in 1886, at the
age Of "a years, he moved to Cincin.
natl, o., where he became an employe
Of steamboat company on the Ohio
river. For nine years he followed
this business, being engaged during
this time with different companies
along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
HE Railroad Career.
Soon after his marriage. in 1S45, to
Miss Sophia Smith. Mr.. Van Dusen
began his railroad career as ticket
ageut for the Little Miami at Cincin-
nAti. His marked ability along this
line resulted In his rapid promotion
no0vsW1grUunn nssae gsuesaa~tishet
and freight agent for the company.
In 1S61 the deceased, with his family,
moved to Richmond. where he was
sent In the capacity OF manager for
the Little Miami company, which leas-
ed the road known AZ the Dayton and
Western. He took up his office In the
old south side Panhandle freight de-
pot and for five years managed the
business OF the company in this city.
Returning to Cincinnati Mr.. Van Du-
sen remained In that city where he
worked for the company until 1880.
when he was honorably retired from
its service after he had served for
35 years.
The deceased acted AZ assistant
county auditor for Caleb DuHadway
after returning to Richmond and re-
tiring from the railroad business and
for . number Of years served in sew
eral official capacities at the court
house.
Ne Loved His Work.
Since his retirement from active
business Mr.. Van Dusen had been a
frequent visitor at the local railroad
offices where he always received q
cordial welcome. 1t was his chief
pleasure to discuss railroad matters
and he took . keen interest In what
was going ON In the railroad world.
Mr.. Van Dusen was known az Rich
mond's Grand Old Man" He was
remarkably well preserved and until
few weeks prior to his recent illness
was able to be up and about. Al
though he had attained the very nd
vanced ago Of nearly % years. his
hearing was but little impaired and
his eyesight was a. keen ~ that OF 81
man many years his junior.
Loved BY Friends.
Loved and respected by all who
knew him the deceased was held In
the highest esteem by his many
friends and acQuaintances. About two
months ago he began to decline In |
health and week later suffered al
stroke Of paralysis. which rendered
his lower limbs useless and confined
him to his bed. He was conscious at |
all times and talked to the members |
Of his immediate family just q few
minutes previous to his death. The
relatives were summoned to his bed. |
side some time ago, it being APPARENT /
that because OF his advanced age his |
recovery was not at al probable. At
: O'Clock this morning he sank into his |
eternal sleep.
The funeral viii take place Sun
day afternoon at $3.50 o'clock from
the home. The burial win be in Earl
ham cemetery. Friends may call Sat
urday afternoon and evening. II IL
that flowers be omitted.