Charles Eugene Denney Sr. (October 18, 1879 – January 18, 1965) was president of Northern Pacific Railway from 1939 through 1950.

Charles Eugene Denney
Born(1879-10-18)October 18, 1879
DiedJanuary 18, 1965(1965-01-18) (aged 85)
EducationPennsylvania State College
Occupation(s)Civil engineer, railroad president
Employers
Known forCivil engineering, North American railroad signals, railroad official
SpouseIrene Sullivan Sickels
ChildrenCharles Eugene Denney Jr.
Parent(s)William H. Denney
Sarah E. Tabert

Biography

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He was born in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 1879, the son of William H. Denney and Sarah E. Tabert.

He married Irene Sullivan Sickels (c. 1880 – 1970), and together they had two sons: Clark Denney and Charles Eugene Denney Jr.[1]

Denney was educated in the public schools of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, after which he attended Pennsylvania State College during 1899 to 1905, while working for Union Switch and Signal Company.

In 1905 he began working for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway (which later became part of New York Central Railroad) as assistant signal engineer. He worked his way up through promotions within the New York Central system until 1916 when he returned to Union Switch and Signal. In 1917 he moved to an executive position with the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad where he was promoted to vice-president and general manager in 1928. In 1929 Denney became president of Erie Railroad.[2] He remained in that position until October, 1939 when he became president of Northern Pacific Railway.[3][4]

He died on January 18, 1965, in Pinehurst, North Carolina.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Died". The New York Times. January 11, 1970. January 9, 1970, beloved wife of the late Charles Eugene Denney, who was former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Erie Railway. Mother of Col. ...
  2. ^ "Charles E. Denney President of Erie. Vice President of the Railroad Is Elected to Succeed John J. Bernet, Who Resigned. Began as Section Hand. Robert E. Woodruff, Assistant Vice President, Promoted. Is a Purdue Graduate. Worked His Way at College. Woodruff a Purdue Man". The New York Times. May 25, 1929. p. 25. Retrieved November 12, 2024 – via Internet Archive. Charles E. Denney, vice president of the Erie Railroad in charge of operation and maintenance, was elected president of the railroad yesterday. He succeeds John J. Bernet, who resigned to become president of the Chesapeake Ohio, the Hocking Valley and the Pere Marquette and ranking head of the Van Sweringen system.
  3. ^ "1037 & 1030". Time. October 9, 1939. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2008. To succeed Northern Pacific's late Charles Donnelly is the job of big (225 lbs.), reserved, ironhanded Charles Eugene Denney, taken from the presidency of the bankrupt Erie.
  4. ^ "Northern Pacific Elects New Chief; Elected Railway Head". The New York Times. September 29, 1939. p. 31. Retrieved November 12, 2024 – via Internet Archive. The election of Charles E. Denney to the presidency of the Northern Pacific Railway was announced yesterday. He succeeds the late Charles Donnelly.
  5. ^ "Charles E. Denney Dead at 85. Ex-Presldent of Erie Railroad". The New York Times. January 19, 1965. Retrieved July 28, 2008. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Irene Sullivan Denney; two sons, Charles Eugene Denney Jr. and Clark Denney, and three grandchildren.

Further reading

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  • Who's Who In Railroading in North America, 1940 edition. New York: Simmons-Boardman. 1940. p. 161.
Preceded by President of Erie Railroad
1929 – 1939
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of Northern Pacific Railway
1939 – 1950
Succeeded by