Pueblo County Biographies

Pueblo County, Colorado
JAMES E. McMAHON

Contributed by Karen Mitchell.

James E. McMahon, who is superintendent of the Colorado division of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, with offices in Pueblo, was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on the 15th of April, 1866, and is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Toohey) McMahon. The father was a farmer by occupation and also conducted a hotel. In 1879 he removed to Kansas, where he resided for about five years and in 1884 came to Colorado. He brought his family to this state in 1900, settling at Trinidad. James E. McMahon was educated in the public schools of Wisconsin and Kansas and when a youth of but fourteen years put aside his textbooks in order to enter the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. For twenty-seven years he has worked for different roads as train dispatcher. After leaving the service of the Union Pacific he became connected with the Colorado & Southern Railroad and in 1895 he entered into business connections with the Santa Fe system as train dispatcher. He continued to fill that position for five years and was then promoted to the position of chief of the division, in which capacity he served for two years. In 1910 he was made superintendent, his headquarters being at Clovis, New Mexico. The year 1914 won him still further advancement, for at that time he was made superintendent of the Colorado division, in which capacity he has since continued. On the 19th of February, 1889, Mr. McMahon was united in marriage to Miss Susie Weber and their children are Anna, Mary and Mildred. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and is a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Commerce Club and is interested in every project and movement of that organization for the upbuilding and benefit of his city and state. Much of his life has been devoted to railroad work in Colorado and he is looked upon as an authority upon questions relating thereto. He has many admirable qualities which make him popular with his men, who are thoroughly loyal to him, and that he enjoys the full confidence of the corporation which he represents is indicated in his long service and continued promotion therewith. History Of Colorado Illustrated Volume II Chicago The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1918

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