Inventory of the Edward J. Engel Collection, 1874-1947

Processed by The California State Railroad Museum Library staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Xiuzhi Zhou

California State Railroad Museum Library

111 "I" Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: (916) 323-8073

Fax: (916) 327-5655

Email: csrmlibrary@csrmf.org

URL: http://www.csrmf.org/library.html

Inventory of the Edward J. Engel Collection, 1874-1947

Collection number: MS 74

California State Railroad Museum Library

Sacramento, California

Contact Information:

California State Railroad Museum Library
111 "I" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 323-8073
Fax: (916) 327-5655
Email: csrmlibrary@csrmf.org
URL: http://www.csrmf.org/library.html

Processed by:: The California State Railroad Museum Library staff
Encoded by:: Xiuzhi Zhou

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.

SCRAPBOOKS

Box 1-3

Three scrapbooks of congratulatory letters on Engel's becoming first executive vice president, and then president of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Also includes newspaper clippings relating to the promotions, 1935-1939.

ALBUMS

Box 4

Two photograph albums, "Photographs of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company", John W. Barriger, photographer, ca. 1925-1940.

Box 5, Folder 1

Photograph album of the launch of the "S.S. Cape Elizabeth," March 3, 1943. Engel's second wife, Louisa, christened the ship.

Folder 2

Photograph album, possibly received as a retirement gift.

RESOLUTIONS, MOTIONS AND CERTIFICATES

Box 5, Folder 3

Hand-lettered resolution of AT&SF Board of Directors on Engel's retirement, July 27, 1944. Includes remarks by General Harbord.

Folder 4

Certificate of 45 years, 4 months service at AT&SF, awarded August 1, 1944.

Folder 5

Hand-lettered resolution of AT&SF Board of Directors on Engel's death April 24, 1947.

Box 6, Folder 1

Hand-lettered resolution of Board of Directors of the Belt Railway Company of Chicago and the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad Company on Engel's death, bound into a single book, with loose cover letter from President M.F. Stokes, April 8, 1947.

Folder 2

Hand-lettered resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry on Engel's death, 1947.

Folder 3

Resolution of the Board of Directors of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway on Engel's death, with cover letter from the Secretary, W.K. Menard, June 3, 1947.

MEDIA CLIPPINGS

Box 6, Folder 4

Chicago Daily Tribune clipping from July 28, 1944 about Engel's retirement and appointment of Fred G. Gurley as President of the Santa Fe.

Folder 5

Santa Fe Magazine August 1944, pp. 9-13. Lead story is on Engel's retirement.

Folder 6

Santa Fe Magazine June 1945. President Gurley notes Engel's retirement (p. 26) and the launch of the Engel tugboat (p. 38).

MEMENTOS

Box 6, Folder 7

Hand-lettered book signed by friends and associates on Engel's retirement, July 26, 1944.

Folder 8

Testimonial luncheon program for Engel's retirement, July 27, 1944.