Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Collection Description
Historical Background
Descriptive Summary
Title: Edward J. Engel Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1874-1947
Collection number: MS 74
Creator:
Engel, Edward J. family
Extent: 6 flat boxes
Repository:
California State Railroad Museum Library
Sacramento, California 95814
Shelf location: Big Four Building or off-site storage. Please contact
the Library in advance of your visit.
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Provenance
Gift of Mrs. E.K. Engel, 1992
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for
permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Senior
Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the
physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder,
which must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Edward J. Engel Collection, MS 74, California State Railroad Museum Library, Sacramento, California.
Collection Description
This collection highlights Engel's accomplishments during his long and distinguished career with the Santa Fe Railway. It
includes a scrapbook containing news coverage and congratulatory letters upon his promotion to executive vice-president. Some
mementos from his retirement such as a hand-lettered book signed by his friends and associates, a motion and a certificate
of service from the Board of Directors of AT&SF, a photo album possibly given as a retirement gift, a program from a testimonial
luncheon given in Engel's honor, and newspaper and magazine articles about Engel's retirement are included. Also contains
obituary notices and resolutions issued by AT&SF, the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa
Fe Railway, the Belt Railway Company of Chicago and the Western Indiana Railroad Company upon Engel's death in 1947. There
are also two photograph albums, one of AT&SF taken by John W. Barriger III, and another with photos and newspaper clippings
documenting the launch of the S.S. Cape Elizabeth.
Historical Background
Edward J. Engel enjoyed forty-five years of service with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Mr. Engel was born in Havana,
Ohio, on July 28, 1874, and was educated in the public schools of Havana and Republic, and business college of Sandusky in
that state. His rise from the ranks was similar to that of many other railway chief executives, but unusual in the respect
that it took place entirely on the railway with which he started. He began his career with the Santa Fe on March 23, 1899,
as a clerk in the Purchasing Department. He transferred as a stenographer to President Edward P. Ripley's office in November,
1900, and was promoted to chief clerk in May 1903. He advanced to assistant to the president in September 1910, vice- president
in July 1918, and in April 1938, executive vice-president. He served as a member of the Board of Directors from September
24, 1918 to April 28, 1921, and continuously since April 23, 1925. He was appointed president and chairman of the executive
committee March 28, 1939 and served until his retirement August 1, 1944. Fred G. Gurley succeeded Mr. Engel as president of
the Santa Fe Railway. Mr. Engel died March 30, 1947.