Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-09-22
Wan. FORMER ioWAN AND ONCE
PRESIDENT or IOWA CENTRAL
AND M. & ST. L.
soN.lN.LAW FOR FORMER
GOVERNOR r. M. DRAKE
Shonts Prominent as Builder and Man
aaer OF Various Railway Properties
President of New York lnterboroush
Company Lines at Time Of Death
Prominent in Building Of Canal.

New York. Sept. 22.-Theodore T..
Shonts. president of the marlborough
Rapid Transit Company. died at his
home In Park avenue at o'clock
Sunday morning.
Mr.. Shonts, who was former chair
man of the Isthmian canal commission,
had been suffering from acute lung
congestion, due to pleurisy. since last
three operations and suffered several
rolapses, the most serious of which &C.
CURED Friday night.
Last night his condition became so
serious that members OF his family
gathered at his bedside
Moved to Iowa.
Theodore +. Shents began his bust
ness career as an accountant in an
Iowa bank, built several railroads in
the middle west, became chairman OF
the Isthmian canal commission. which
had charge Of the building OF the PAN
anna canal and later president Of the
marlborough Rapid Transit Company,
which operates important subway and
surface traction lines in New York
City.
Born in Crawford county. Pa. May
3. 1855 he was, taken to Iowa to live
when his parents removed there in his
boyhood. Having been graduated from
Monmouth College in 1876. ne became
al accountant The national banks of
Iowa employed him TO simplify and
standardize their bookkeeping meth
DDS. Afterward he studied law and1
for a short time practiced at Center
willie. Iowa.
ReorsaniEed Reads.
N 1882 Mr.. Shonts married Har-
riet Amelia Drake. daughter OF Francis
Marion Drake, financier. railroad build
er ard later governor of Iowa Cen
cral Drake had at this time engaged in
important railroad building enter
prises.
Mr.. Shonts became manager and SUI
perintendent Of some Of these under
takings and therein laid the foundation
builder. He became popularity known
as a man who could transform "streaks
OF rust" into real railroads He built
the Iowa Central railroad, the Missouri.
Iowa & Nebraska railroad, built and
was NCl4lIOIll ONli "a TIC 44-A4e@A.SAr
Illinois & Iowa railroad and. with as
sociatss. controlled the Toledo, st.
Louis & Western railroad Glover
Leaf, which he recognized and OF
which he became president
1t is said that in his early career as
a railroad builder he worked side by
side with laborers when occasion de-
rnanded. and. altho Of a jovial DISPOSE
ton, was vigorous disheartener OF
any subordinate who dared TO become
unruly.
While Mr.. Shonts was president OF
the Toledo. St. Louis & Western. in
1905, President Roosevelt appointed
him as chairman of the Isthmian canal
commission and he held that position
for about two years, during the period
when plans for the construction of the
canal were in process Of formulation
AS chairman Of the commission, he was
president OF the Panama Railroad
Company and the Panama Railroad
Steamship line.
He organized the executive. engineer
ing and operating departments Of the
Panama Canal commission, but re-
signed office in January, 1910. to ac-
cept the presidency OF the marlborough
Company at q salary said to be $4,000
a year.
Promoted N. Y. Subway.
Mr.. Shonts was at one time president
of the Chicago & Alton. Toledo, st.
Louis & Western. Detroit G. Toledo
Shore Line. Minneapolis G. ST. Louis
and Iowa Central Railway Companies.
In later years, however. his connection
with railroads other than the Inter-
borough was limited TO directorships.
AS head of the Interborough Sub
way system, Mr.. Shonts was instru-
mental in promoting great develop
ment Of that system during the period
when New York subway lines were be-
ing greatly extended.
Mr.. and Mrs. Shonts had two daugh-
ters, one Of whom, Miss Theodore
Shonts, was married in 1908 to the Due
de ChauIncs, of France. who died with
in few months after their marriage.