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William James Mahoney

Many of the best citizens of the prosperous and attractive city of Oelwein, Fayette County, are numbered among the employees of the Chicago Great Western railroad, and among these is he whose name appears at the head of this brief record. Holding a busy and responsible position, he has so served his employing interest as to receive the highest of commendations at various times, being promoted on a number of occasions.

Mr. Mahoney is a native of the state of Minnesota, having first seen the light of day at Austin, that state, on the 27th day of November 1879. He is a son of Patrick and Margaret Ellen (Clifford) Mahoney, the former of whom was a railroad conductor by profession and a highly esteemed man in his community. The subject spent his early boyhood days at Austin and attended the public and parochial schools. In 1890 the family moved to Oelwein and here the subject continued his educational studies in the public schools. On leaving school, he went to work as call-boy for the Chicago Great Western railroad, and at the age of eighteen years he went to work as a freight handler in the freight house. He was so occupied about a year, at the end of which time he became night yard clerk and for about two years also served as night ticket agent. He was then promoted to the position of day yard clerk, holding this position about a year and a half. About the first of the year 1903 he was appointed assistant day yard master of the yards at Oelwein, but six months later he relinquished that position and during the following two months he was engaged in switching. At the end of that time he was made night yard master, and in September 1903, he was appointed general yard master, which position he now holds. He is prompt and efficient in the performance of the duties of this position, which is one of considerable responsibility, and is considered one of the best employees of the Chicago Great Western at this point.

On July 6, 1904, William J. Mahoney was united in marriage to Gertrude McGuire, who was a native of Fairbank, this state, but was at that time living in Oelwein, having moved there in childhood with her parents, Bernard and Susan (Smith) McGuire. To the subject and his wife have been born two children, William Leo and Paul Joseph.

Religiously the family are members of the Catholic Church, to which they render an earnest and liberal support. Mr. Mahoney is a member of the religious-fraternal order, Knight of Columbus. Personally, Mr. Mahoney enjoys an enviable standing among those who best know him, his personal qualities being of the highest order. Genial in disposition and courteous in manner, he easily makes friends and is popular in the social circles in which he moves.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Doris A. Smith