GEO. J. CHARLTON
Passenger Traffic Expert
Geo. J. Charlton,
Passenger Traffic Manager, Chicago & Alton Railroad and allied systems.
“A pale faced fanatic” Geo. J. Charlton never was and never will be—so his friends declare. The metamorphosis would too grievously trouble him in spirit and torture his avoirdupois. Glance again at the features and physical contour of the Passenger Traffic Manager of “Chicago & Alton,” the cap sheaf to a cluster of four sister transportation corporations, and contradict me, ye phrenological bump feelers, if the X rays do not locate there a large, sympathetic heart, optimism profound, great capacity for work and the ability to enjoy and “Spend money like a sailor.”
Ever since the time his education began in the private and public schools of his birthplace, Hamilton, Canada, where in boyhood he “Snapped the whip” and operated in the moonlit melon patch, George Charlton has been in the centre of the doings. His must have been the hypnotic eye, or he carried one of those heavily charged horse shoe magnets, for the boys and girls all liked him and gravitated in his direction without know-why. How many of his classmates have since made the same good use of their time, think you.
His father was a railroader of international repute, and nurtured in an atmosphere of “ticket affairs,” it was not unnatural the boy’s name should first appear on a railway pay roll in 1875 as messenger in the general passenger department of Chicago & Alton Road.
Thus began the zig zag but successful ascent of Mount Obstacle, covering a span of forty-three years. He was cast out of the right kind of metal and did not falter at the prospect or prove a time server when acting the role of junior, conductor’s clerk, ticket stock recorder, passenger sales accountant and rate expert.
Invariably devoting the best that was in him to his work, he soon realized that the position of understudy conscientiously performed, was a wise and diplomatic plan of action leading to unexpected possibilities. On March 14th, 1885, Mr. Charlton came within the arc of the limelight as Assistant General Passenger Agent of the “Alton.” January 1st, 1900, witnessed him accomplish the next logical move in advancing to the position of General Passenger Agent, and during a seven years tenure his jurisdiction was extended to the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railway, styled the Clover Leaf Route. During December, 1909, the Corporation’s President gave him the right to have emblazoned on his business cards the title he bears to-day.