Ramsey Co., MN

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BUSY LIFE CLOSED
THE DEATH OF JUDGE CHANDLER, OF THE MILWAUKEE RAILWAY
AGED RAILROAD EMPLOYEE
HAD BEEN CONNECTED WITH THE RAILWAYS FOR NEARLY HALF A CENTURY

Judge John A. Chandler, who for many years has been a familiar figure in 
railroad circles and who has had the respect of his fellowmen from the day 
he settled in St. Paul, died last night at his home, 229 East Tenth street.

Death resulted from a sudden paralysis of the heart, resulting from a 
continued siege of rheumatism. His end was sudden. A sudden attack of 
faintness, followed by several moments of severe pain, and the end came, 
almost before those who hovered about him could realize that the hand of 
death was drawing near.

Death occured about 9:30 o’clock. About the middle of January Mr. 
Chandler was attacked by rheumatism, from which he had been a periodical, 
though not a severe, sufferer. The last attack, however, was more 
persistent than any of the others. He was congfined in his house 
continually from the time he was siezed until his death, with the single 
exception of going out of doors once on Jan. 24. He was siezed with his 
attack on his seventy-first birthday, Jan 17.

Judge Chandler was a man of spendid attainments, of exemplary character, 
and of commanding presence. He did not covet great honors, but found his 
chiefest joy in winning and holding the respect of his fellowmen. G___ 
and determination, which characterized his every act when young, remained 
with him until the end, which is shown in the fact that he continued in 
office as general agent for the Milwaukee company until his death.

Judge Chandler’s public and private service have been remarkable, and in 
some respects unique. Had he lived one year longer, he would have 
completed a full half century with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul 
Railroad company, a record which only a few men in the United States can 
equal. Fifty years is four-fifths of the history of American railroads.

When he first entered service, the science of transportation was in its 
infancy. Judge Chandler was very fond of relating the methods under which 
railroads were conducted in those days. He would tell how freight trains 
were handled when the maximum load was five and six tons, and when 
switching was done by means of mule teams. He was fond of relating how 
wool used to be hauled from interior Illinois into Chicago on ____ flat 
cars, and how train men were often compelled to put out fires in the wool, 
which had been lighted by sparks coming from the wood-burning locomotives.

Judge Chandler did not live in the past. Despite his age and his long 
experience, dating from the middle of the century just closed, he lived 
in the present, and was a part of it so far as his strength would allow.

He commenced his service with the Milwaukee company in a humble capacity, 
as a clerk for the old Milwaukee & Mississippi company, which was 
afterward made part of the Milwaukee system. As the road was pushed 
northward toward St. Paul, Judge Chandler advanced with it.

At last the road entered St. Paul, and Judge Chandler was made general 
agent here, a position which he has held ever since. In the earlier days, 
when communication by wire and rail was less frequent and reliable a 
general agent enjoyed wider powers, and often, too, the initiative in more 
important matters than are now entrusted to officials of that rank. 
Judge Chandler never disappointed his company, and his judgement was 
looked upon as final.

For may years the deceased lived at Sparta, Wis., where he took and 
active part in municipal and state politics. He held several offices in 
the gift of the city and county and served in both branches of the 
legislature. His career was always marked by his acts of diplomacy. He 
never descended to the petty things of life, either in his public life or 
his career as a railroad official. Diplomacy to him did not mean a polite 
and subtle way of doing evil. He attacked things directly and still used 
diplomacy. He was called into service frequently to handle intricate 
matters when others had failed. He had the confidence of everyone.

Judge Chandler was a man of splendid address, and in his younger days was 
a wit and a capital speaker. His head was surmounted by thick white hair. 
His eyes were deep set and bright. He wore a goatee and a moustache, 
which gave him a bearing of dignity.

The deceased was born in Randolph, Vt., Jan 17, 1831, and was married 
forty-eight years ago in Baraboo, Wis. His widow survives him. The 
children who survive him are: Mrs. M. C. Elliott, of New York, Mrs. P. 
N. Boeringer, of San Francisco, who is in St. Paul; Mrs. Mortimer Forest, 
of St. Paul; Mrs. George Jackson, of Minneapolis; J. A. Chandler, Jr., 
Minneapolis, and Paul D. Chandler, of St. Paul.
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