Biography - Richard McMahon
Richard McMAHON, roadmaster, Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, Litchfield, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in November, 1845. He received a good academic education in his native country, and, in 1864, at the age of nineteen years, came to the United States, locating in Elmira, N.Y. where he worked two years on repairs of the New York& Erie Railroad. He moved to Mattoon, Ill., in 1866, and there worked two years as laborer on the track of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad. From 1868 to 1871, he was Road Clerk in the General Roadmaster's office at Mattoon; the following year, he acted as section foreman on the track of the same road, at Sunnyside, Ind. From 1872 to 1876, he was again Clerk in the General Roadmaster's office at Mattoon, and, during that time, was Roadmaster of a branch road called the Sullivan & Decatur Railroad. In August, 1876, he was promoted to the position of Roadmaster of the Middle Division of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, his division consisting of seventy-five miles. He presided over this until 1880, when the Roadmaster of the East Division resigned, and our subject was transferred to it. He had this division, which consisted of 110 miles, until July 14, 1881, when the road was redistricted in two divisions, and he was transferred to the West Division, extending from Mattoon to East St. Louis, a distance of 137 miles. He has since filled that position, having headquarters at Litchfield. November 28, 1872, he married Honora, daughter of D. O'SULLIVAN, of Mattoon, Ill. The names of their children are as follows: Mary Ann, Denis Joseph, Brian Augustin, Terrence Patrick, Margaret Teresa.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 159-160.
