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Inventory of the Edward J. Engel Collection, 1874-1947
MS 74  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • 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.