Early Railroad Families of Albuquerque

by Donald S. Dreesen

This article was written in 1980 and published
in the New Mexico Genealogist, March 1980, pp. 3-9.

Interest in railroad history continues to be high, and a volunteer run, nonprofit organization is working toward establishing a special museum in downtown Albuquerque. Built in 1914, the Albuquerque shops serviced steam locomotives operating on the Santa Fe Railroad. See The Wheels Museum.

• Abell, Henry (-1943): 1896 railroad fireman; married 1902 Bertha Thomas (1881-1971); lived in Belen 1910-24; died in a train accident at Gallup.
• Ainsworth, Thomas: 1896 railroad machinist; 1891-2 street commissioner.
• Andrews, John L.: 1883 carpenter in A&P yards; 189__: potentate of Ballut Abyad Shrine. Antoine, Leon: 1889 came to Albuq. from Alsace-Lorraine; 1896 railroad painter. Died about 1920 leaving a widow, Mary.
• Archer, William (1842-1928): 1883 carpenter at A&P Railroad shops lived in Highlands addition; later a contractor in Albuquerque.
• Beavan, John S. (1862- ): married 1889 Mary A. Calvert; 1889 came to Albuquerque as employee of A&P Railroad; coal merchant, alderman and county treasurer.
• Beck, Joseph: 1896 railroad helper, lived on Atlantic Ave.; wife was Caroline; general foreman of blacksmiths of A.T.&S.F.
• Bell, Lavic S.: 1896 engineer lived at 923 S. Third. Resident here as late as 1914.
• Birtman, Frederick A.: 1896 machinist for A.T.&S.F., lived at 308 Baca; resided here as late as 1914.
• Bixler, Arthur; 1896 railroad engineer, lived at 713 So. Third; here as late as 1919.
• Boatright, David H. 1883 foreman of painters at A.&P. shops: later in dry goods and lived at 220 S. Edith with wife Rose; mayor of Albuquerque; president of building and loan company.
• Bocklett, Mark: 1896 railroad fireman; 1909 roomed at 702 E. Central.
• Bonnell, John E. (1848-1928): 1883 carpenter at A.&P. shops; until 1923 was a patternmaker for the National Foundry here; in 1923 moved to St. Joseph, MO.
• Boyle, John (1850- ): married Mary (1855- ), both born in Ireland; 1880 a railroad employee; 1883 ran a saloon on Central Avenue between 2nd and 3rd. One child was born in Missouri in 1878 and another in New Mexico in 1879.
• Brennan, Joseph C.: 1883 a carpenter at A.&P. shops; was a carpenter here until his death about 1917; his widow Jennie was a bookkeeper here for several years and in 1928 was in Valentine, Texas.
• Brown, Frank R.: 1896 railroad car repairer; railroad carpenter and contractor; until 1930's lived in 700 block of West Coal; his widow, Annie E., lived here as late as 1941.
• Brown, Perry: 1886 came from Winslow as a trainman with A.&P.; invented "Brown's Balloon Smokestack" for locomotives; about 1892 died from injuries resulting from a fall from a train; widow married Harry J. Rehder, a locomotive engineer, who died in 1926 after being struck by a train in Gallup. She died in September 1927.
• Bucklin, Delos Scott: 1883 a carpenter at A.&P. shops; a builder; lived on North Broadway with wife Maria; 1923 lived on East Tijeras.
• Cameron, Peter (1860- ): married 1886 Mary Cain; married 2nd wife 1895 Viola May Shaw; 1887 came to Albuquerque and worked with A.&P. Railroad for two and one half years; went back to Canada and Michigan; 1911 returned to Albuquerque and joined Albuquerque Foundry and Machine Works.
• Chavez, David Sr. (1856-1936): married Paz Sanchez; 1895 came to Albuq. and was employed by A.T.&S.F. Railroad; father of Judge David and U. S. Senator Dennis Chavez.
• Clark, George Crook: 1887 Surgeon for A.&P. railroad hospital in Albuq.; 1890 moved to Fullerton, California as first doctor there.
• Cobb, William Henry (1860-1909): married 1891 Eddie Ross (1862-1945); came to Santa Fe in 1879 as a surveyor for the railroad; 1889 returned to Albuq. and bought out photographic studio which was operated by his widow until 1939.
• Coen, Stephen B: 1896 car inspector later foreman for A.T.& S.F.; 1919 his widow Nellie and children lived at 213 W. Hazledine.
• Conley, John A.: 1883 carpenter at A.&P. shops; master mechanic lived at 906 Williams; died in 1910's, survived by his widow Victoria.
• Cosgrove, James H.: married Amanda M. ( -1928); 1896 car inspector for railroad for many years.
• Craig, Alexander E.: 1896 carpenter became foreman; lived with wife Louise at 607 S. Edith for many years.
• Crary, Charles E.: came from Ganado, Ariz., and in 1896 was paymaster and treasurer of A.&P. Railroad; lived at 420 West Gold and was founder of the Albuquerque Commercial Club built in that block; wife was Hattie F.
• Davern, John E.: 1896 railroad conductor; lived here more than 20 years.
• Deacy, William H.: 1883 laborer for A.T.&S.F.; stationery engineer for wool mill and water works.
• Dennison, W. C.; 1883 cashier for A.&P.: lived here as late as 1896 as assistant live stock agent for A.T.&S.F.
• Donohoe, John: boilermaker came to Albuq. in 1890; left a widow and children here in 1909.
• Doyle, Thomas: 1896 a switchman; 1913 his widow Hannah lived here with D.J. Rankin.
• Dreyfus, Joseph: 1896 a car cleaner who worked for railroad as late as 1913; lived at 1524 S. 2nd.
• Drury, James H.: 1883 master carpenter at A.&P.; lived here in 1909 at 619 S. Edith.
• Dullea, Dennis: 1896-1909 conductor for A.T.&S.F.
• Englehart, James: 1896 engineer for A.&P. Railroad; 1909 engineer for A.T.&S.F.
• Erickson, Eric A.: 1896 boiler shop helper; 1915 machinist for A.T.&S.F.;
• Eunson, John: 1896 carpenter for A.&P.; 1909 car inspector.
• Fenner, John H.: 1896 engineer for A.&P.; 1913 engineer for A.T.&S.F.;
• Fetters, Bob: ( -1928) call boy for trainmen; came to Albuquerque from Cerrillos with his mother, Mrs. Butlers; about 1900 moved to Chicago.
• Fox, Wm. P. (1838-1910): 1885 came to Albuq; 1896 assistant foreman of carpenters until his death.
• Franchini, Ettore (1880-1968): about 1898 came to Albuq. and worked in A.T.&S.F. shops; later went into grocery business; married Primia Bartolini (1881-1965).
• Frost, George H. (1841-1911): 1882 came to New Mexico from Indiana And became a railroad conductor; his widow was Arminda H. (1849-1928).
• Goff, James T.: 1883 blacksmith for A.&P. railroad; 1923 with wife Bertha lived at 716 W. Roma.
• Gorman, T. A.: 1896 conductor who lived on Atlantic between 3rd and 4th; 1914 wife lived in same area.
• Grant, Angus (1843-1901): 1880 contractor with brothers, built railroad bridges on A.&P. west from Albuquerque; had many business interests in Albuquerque; married Joanna McMillan ( -1883). A nephew was D. A. MacPherson Sr. (1869-1957).
• Greenleaf, Edward E. (1855-1939): married 2nd wife Caroline (1858-1923); 1896 brakeman for more than 25 years.
• Guillon, Petrus A. (1850-1927): 1896 came to Albuquerque as chef for Fred Harvey; operated Savoy Hotel; 1910 planted vineyards at Bernalillo.
• Gutman, Louis: 1898 car recorder; lived for many years in Martinez town area.
• Hall, James Wilfred (1861-1925). married Genevieve Steele; 1896 brakeman; conductor; lived at 210 S. High; his brother A.P. Hallcame here as railroad man in 1880 and later went to Galveston, Texas; another brother E. Channing Hall was also a railroad man in Albuq. for a few years before going to Pennsylvania to continue railroad work.
• Hall, R. P.: July 1880 reached New Mexico to work For A.&P. Railroad; 1887 bought Albuquerque Foundry and Machine Works; by 1901 had moved to Los Angeles.
• Harward, William T.: 1883 night watchman for A. & P. railroad; 1892 patented 160 acres at Lomas and Washington.
• Hatch, Andrew (1850-1928): 1883 came to Albuq. to work for railroad shops where he was a carpenter for 40 years.
• Haynes, John Roger: 1896 surgeon at A.&P. hospital; lived at 1008 So. Arno; married 1902 Juanita, dau. of Perfecto Armijo; also had a home in Park View, New Mexico.
• Heady, Samuel D.: 1896 railroad conductor; lived here for 20 years.
• Hennessy, James: 1896 helper; 1901 engineer and lived at 316 W. Coal
• Hobbs, Maurice: 1883 a carpenter at A.&P. shops, lived in Old Albuq. as late as 1917.
• Hogan, Hugh M.; 1896 came to Albuq. from Vincennes, Ind. and became engineer for A.&P. Railroad.
• Holman, Jehill H.: 1896 railroad engineer living at 415 E. Iron; his family was here after 1909.
• Ives, Byron Henry: 1883 a carpenter at A.&P. shops; 1896 lived at 319 Baca where he built a greenhouse; married 1904 Helen Andre (1870-1918). His greenhouse at 908 S. Fourth was a landmark for more than 60 years.
• Jacobson, Jacob P. (1869- ): came from Denmark to Albuq. in 1899 an a machinist for A.T.&S.F.; dismantled old Albuquerque electric plant and moved it to a new location; dairy and flour mill 4 miles north of Old Town.
• Jones, Frank Meredith ( -1923): civil engineer located railroad right of way from Colorado line to Albuquerque; settled in San Miguel County and married Fannie Kronig.
• Kaseman, George Ambrose (1868-1938): 1887 worked for Fred Harvey in New Mexico; 1891 came to Albuq. to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and remained in that work until 1899; married 1923 Ana Trexler (18751964); 1924 became first president of (new) Albuquerque National Bank.
• Keith, Arthur F.: 1896 car inspector, conductor; 1931 with wife Lee B. lived at 1429 W. Central.
• Keleher, David S. (1850-1903): 1880 lived in Albuq; went to Lawrence, Kan.; 1888 returned to Albuq and became a tinsmith for A.&P. Railroad; father of lawyer-historian W. A. Keleher.
• Keppeler, Charles L. ( -1918): 1896 car repairer; lived for many years at 922 So. Edith; widow Margaret survived.
• Knapp, George R. (1838-1889): 1883 yardmaster for A.&P. Railroad; 1896 his widow Adeline H. was public librarian and lived at 400 S. Broadway.
• Kuhns, Joseph Henry Jr. (1856-1916): 1880 railroad engineer in Albuq.; 1892-93 grand master of New Mexico Masonic Lodges; 1895-96 president of Albuquerque Board of Education; 1896 railroad storekeeper.
• Little, William Henry: 1896 car repairer; yard foreman: lived at 608 No. 4th. Marshall, J.C.; 1883 patternmaker foreman for A.&P. shops; 1895-96 member of Board of Education; his wife Sarah A. ( -1911) had a greenhouse just west of her cottage at 121 S. Arno.
• Matson, Orville Arthur (1871-1942): married 1900 Lora Fox (18761966); came to Albuq. 1895 as a bookkeeper for A.T.&S.F.; stationer, county treasurer, tax collector, treasurer of Sons of American Revolution; secretary of Elks Club.
• McCanna, Peter Frederick (1865-1922): married 1892 Ellen Moran (c. 1863-1953); came to Albuquerque late 1880's as chief clerk of A.&P. Railroad; 1890 purchased real estate and insurance office of J. F. Armijo.
• McClurken, William T.: married Lena L.; came to Albuquerque in 1894; railroad brakeman and conductor; lived at 324 No. 12th.
• McCoy, John B.; 1896 railroad foreman; railroad storekeeper; lived at 619 S. Broadway.
• Mearns, William G.: came here in 1880s as railroad engineer; married Rachel Scotti; operated Savoy Hotel on So. 1st for decades.
• Miller, George Daniel ( - 1956): married Mattie (1879-1968); came from Missouri; railroad fireman and brakeman.
• Miller, Jesse E.: 1896 conductor; lived on South Arno as late as 1909.
• Newton, A. Lewis (1872-1905): married 1894 Emiline Vaughn; moved to Albuquerque about 1897 to work in Santa Fe Railroad shops.
• Nixon, W. C.; Agent for A.T.&S.F.; April 1881 built a house in Highland Addition.
• Nohl, Frederick Alber (1867-1959): married Jessie Keeton (1878-1948): 1882 worked in Belen as office boy for A.T.&S.F.; 1886 came to Albuq. to work for A.&P. Railroad; conductor.
• Ridley, Matthew M. ( -1911): married May E.; 1883 boilermaker for A.&P. shops; 1909 president of Albuquerque Foundry; lived at 616 S. Walter.
• Rueb, John I.: 1896 railroad fireman; engineer; 1923 lived at Elks Club.
• Schmidt, Charles J., 1896 railroad engineer; married Caroline and had 4 daughters and 1 son; lived at 610 W. Coal.
• Schultz, William H.: 1896 brakeman; his widow lived at 100 E. Lead for many years. Sheehan, John P.: 1883 baggagemaster for A.T.&S.F.: married Margaret; lived at 415 W. Silver.
• Sheetz, Frank (1860- ); in Albuquerque in 1880; 1883-96 head clerk for A.T.&S.F.
• Spellacy, John B.: boilermaker 1883-1901.
• Stewart, John H.: 1896 brakeman; conductor as late as 1923; lived at 416 W. Coal.
• Strain, William T.: 1896 switchman; brakeman; 1923 his widow lived at 403 So. Broadway.
• Summers, James A. (1832-1906): married 1866 to Jane Robertson (18471909); 1882 came to Albuquerque to work for railroad; 1883 book store at 2nd and Gold: probate (county) clerk until his death.
• Thomas, Benjamin ( -1905): married Mary H.; came to Albuquerque in 1880 as a railroad carpenter; 1901 rooming house at 509 S. Third.
• Tierney, Martin S. ( -1927): married Mary Goff; came to Albuq. in 1883; a boilermaker; insurance business.
• Wells, A. G.: 1883 head clerk for A. & P. Railroad; 1896 general superintendent of A. & P. Railroad.

• List of voters in Pct. 5 and 6, San Juan County, 1890, and how they voted (for or against the constitution).
• Sierra County marriages (partial list: began Dec 1978 and continued in subsequent issues through Dec 1979);
• Taos County marriages 1880-1884 (partial list: began Mar. 1979 and continued in subsequent issues through Dec 1980).
• Torrance County Cemeteries. Includes listing of graves in Juan Tomas Cemetery, St. John Nepomuceno Church Cemetery in Chilili, Mt. Carmel/Moriarty Catholic Cemetery, and Piñon Cemetery/Robinson Cemetery.