Ref: William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas

Atchison County - Part 16

Published in 1883 by A.T. Andreas, Chicago, IL

JOHN FAGAN, Division Master Mechanic of the A., T. & Santa Fe R. R., was born in Lancaster County, Pa., September 29, 1816. Commenced railroading in 1832, on what is now known as the Penn. Central R. R., where he remained until '38; then removed to Dearborn County, Ind., and in 1852 engaged with the Cin. & Indianapolis R. R. as engineer, during his employment with them, held various responsible situations.

In 1869, he left there, moving on a farm in Tippecanoe County, same State, but after operating it for two years, came west to Atchison, and in August of 1871, again entered the railroad service, as engineer for the A., T. & Santa Fe; continued as such a little more than one year, and from that time until the completion of this line to Atchison, had charge of the delivery of material for the construction of the road.

Mr. Fagan was then appointed to his present situation, where he has charge of about twenty men, and has general supervision of the Round-House . He is without doubt the oldest railroad man in the State, and during his many years service as such, has always been extremely fortunate, never having met with any accident in his whole railroad career. His wife was Miss Jane A. Ward, to whom he was married in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1840. They have but one son

living, W. W. Fagan, Superintendent of the Central Branch of the U. P. R. R