SAMUEL R. CALLAWAY
His Character and Notable Career
David Hume, historian and observer, declared
“It is better to be born with a cheerful disposition
than inherit an income of ‘Ten Thousand’ a year.”
The gentleman whose features are reproduced on this page possessed that jewel beyond price. Despite vicissitudes in boyhood and stubborn perplexities later, it was his wont to always maintain a kindly, unruffled exterior which seemed to spring from the centre of his being, reflecting an equable temperament and much self-mastery. With this invaluable asset, and other sterling qualifications of mind and method, Samuel Rodger Callaway quietly and steadily spiraled through adverse currents to an altitude in the science of railroading, surmounted by the golden legend, “Eighty thousand a year.” In his brief span he attained an eminence in the commercial firmament which most men cease not to dream of, but seldom realize.
Born of English-Scotch stock at Toronto, Canada, December 24th, 1850, the loss of his father summoned him to toil’s daily round early in life. As the champion and counsellor of his mother he was thrust into the arena at the age of thirteen, when he entered the Grand Trunk service under the eye of the late Sir Joseph Hickson, who soon observed his precocious self-control, prudence and business aptitude even at that chrysalis stage.
A four year novitiate beside Superintendent Gilman Cheney, of the Canadian Express Company, was followed by twelve months clerking for William Wallace, Superintendent of the Great Western, Hamilton. His chief recreation then was reading, and mild indulgence in the aquatic pleasures which Burlington Bay permitted.
A secretaryship to W. K. Muir fell to him in 1870, when both joined the fettered D. & M., Detroit, marking young Callaway’s assumption of important responsibilities.
He gave full value for his remuneration, working without friction, like a noiseless machine, and shamed slovens by close application and attention to the smallest commissions, manifesting such executive ability and economy as operating man with the Detroit & Bay City Railway, 1878, that the increasing traffic greatly enhanced the railroad’s value.
At his thirty-fourth milestone, this popular, but strict disciplinarian, began in 1884, for Charles F. Adams, three years of arduous duties as Vice-President and General Manager, Union Pacific Railway, Omaha, directing reconstruction work of magnitude with force and decision. That tells its own story. Can the reader recall a parallel? It was said of him that he knew almost every man in his employ, but he was not aware of how his unfailing courtesy, freedom from ostentation and justice to all inspired personal loyalty.
Always seeking knowledge, he travelled upward, serving three Canadian and nine U.S.A. corporations with an intellectual, sympathetic and expansive grasp of things which pleased magnates and earned his subordinates’ attachment.
He broad-gauged the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railway, 1887 to 1894, and by going to W. K. Vanderbilt and the Presidency of the Nickel Plate in 1895, a prophecy made years ago was fulfilled. When he married Miss Jane Ecclestone, at Hamilton, June 7th, 1875, Mr. C. C. Trowbridge, his staunch friend, gave him the following letter addressed to W. H. Vanderbilt:
“I take the liberty of giving this sealed letter to Mr. S. R. Callaway, who has been superintendent of the Detroit & Milwaukee during my receivership of two years. He does not know its contents. My object is to give him the honor of your acquaintance, but, more particularly, to have you know him. I regard him as one of the most promising railroad men of the West. He has been in the business from early boyhood on the Grand Trunk, Great Western and D. & M., understands telegraphy, and is familiar with the duties of the different departments. With great purity and gentleness of character, he combines a quiet force and decision which has commanded the esteem and respect of railway men, and his knowledge of detail and love of system, give him great influence with his subordinates, who are ardently attached to him. Perhaps, in the future, when some of your faithful ones drop out, you may want Callaway. I have no motive in taking this liberty but the desire to certify to the worth of a man whose modesty would prevent him from pushing himself into notice, and I feel sure that you will pardon me.”
From his patrons and confreres in United States who are said to recognize and place merit before favoritism, honors came fast to this somewhat reticent, easy mannered gentleman with one passion—music and grand opera—which he delighted to indulge at the “Metropolitan” and by playing arias on a magnificent aeolian erected in his home.
Invited to New York to exercise his wisdom in directing the destinies of the L.S. & M.S., and the retirement of Senator Chauncey Depew a few months later signalled the elevation of Mr. Callaway to the Presidency of the N.Y.C. & H.R.R., and affiliated properties, March 30th, 1898, the acknowledged master of one of the greatest business enterprises of the century.
A New York newspaper, commenting on that appointment, said, “It has long been ‘President Callaway’, as he was born Christmas Eve, 1850, and since youth has been a Santa Claus offering to the railways.”
It is related that when William K. Vanderbilt urged Mr. Callaway to accept the Presidency of the American Locomotive Company, because his corporation could not meet the princely salary mentioned in the new contract, the interesting rumor spread so rapidly that it appeared in the press before the new executive had opportunity to acquaint his family how he had become a business man with prospects that would keep the wolf so far from the door that he dare not venture this side of the next concession. The newspaper references came to the notice of his son, a boyish wag at college, who immediately wrote home saying, “Dear Father—I see by yesterday’s paper that you were forced to get another job owing to the extravagance of your family. I want to congratulate you on your great success, for, judging from what the notices say, you have struck an ‘oily’ position.”
Samuel Callaway had spent thirty years of active life time in the railway’s service and was considered a perfect type of the administrative American railroading man through inclination and training from boyhood, conquering difficulties and contending with stern realities without seeking publicity. He did not like to talk, but he knew well how to meet the world and writing of him after his decease, biographers said his business manners were flawless.
When he first went to New York as President of the New York Central Lines there were some who thought a chill had come over the President’s office, so long kept beaming—as one writer put it—by the geniality of Senator Depew. The cool reserve of the new President was at first misunderstood, but those who had business with him soon realized that on business matters he was one of the most approachable of men. During office hours he was never diverted from close attention to the company’s affairs.
As a thinker who saw clearly for the financial colleagues of a dozen corporations; as a man of the world discussing big projects in exclusive clubs of the metropolis, his extraordinary judgment was emphasized, but the simplicity of his quieter side, his love of little ones and thought for kith and kin in his native land, were likewise noticeable.
He counted much on the success of his children and was devoted to his family, but was not vouchsafed the anticipated pleasure of their society in later years when his duties would have been less arduous.
At the age of fifty-four, the zenith of capability and ripened opinion, after completing three years as first President of the American Locomotive Company, his mighty brain ceased to originate and execute. To his memory earnest and widespread tribute was paid.
His career was a homily to men pessimistic regarding life’s outlook, who capitulate to cynicism. The example he set cannot soon be forgotten, nor should study of the character and purpose of S. R. Callaway be disregarded by the youth of this generation.
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