1921 Duluth & St Louis County MN, Van Brunt.pdf - Garon.us

DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY 743
sources of Duluth, its transportation system. It is doubtful if any man
now living has a broader or more authoritative technical knowledge of
the problems of railroad transportation in the Duluth district.
Mr. McGonagle, who for the past ten years has been president of the
Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway Company, was born at Conshohocken,
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1861, a son of
Joseph and Agnes (McKeeman) McGonagle. His father was born at
Pottsville, and his mother at Norristown, Pennsylvania. His father was
for many years a merchant at Conshohocken, where he died. William A.
McGonagle was one of a family of two sons and four daughters. Three
of the daughters are now deceased. He was educated in the public schools
of Conshohocken, graduating from high school in 1876. The following
year he entered the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1881
with the degree Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. For a few
months he was a draftsman in private engineering work at Atlantic City,
New Jersey, but in July, 1881, he arrived in Minnesota, the state destined
to be his permanent field and the scene of his best achievements not only
as an engineer but as a citizen. His first employment in this state was
as draftsman at Brainerd with the Northern Pacific Railway Company,
and shortly afterward as a transit man with the party engaged in locating
the Little Falls and Dakota branch of that railway. In the fall of
1882 Mr. McGonagle entered the service of the Duluth & Iron Range
Railroad Company as assistant engineer. He was successively promoted
to resident engineer, superintendent of bridges and buildings, and assistant
chief engineer, an office he held until 1902. In the latter year
he became assistant to the president of the Duluth. Missabe & Northern
Railway Company, was made vice president in 1903. and since March,
1909, has been president. While with the Duluth & Iron Range road he
had charge of the maintenance of way and especially of ore dock construction
and the construction of the terminals at Two Harbors. Minnesota,
and the relocation of the line between Two Harbors and Cloquet
River.
While his best years have been devoted to the problems of railroading
and transportation. Mr. McGonagle was also a factor in the organ-
ization of the Duluth Crushed Stone Company, one of the important local
industries of Duluth. He has given his influence, studv and time to many
public movements. He is a former president of the Duluth Commercial
Club, a former chairman of its Public Affairs Committee, and was chairman
of the Relief Committee in the forest fires at Beaudette and Spooner.
Minnesota, in October, 1910. while by appointment of the Governor he
again became chairman of the Minnesota Forest Fires Relief Commission
and took active charge of the relief work during the forest fires of
October. 1918. In the late war he was first chairman of the Duluth Chapter
of the American Red Cross, and held that office until the close of the
war, when he resigned on account of ill health. He is a Republican, but
has never sought nor held political offices. Mr. McGonagle is also a
former president of the Kitchi Ganimi Club, is a life member of the Duluth
Boat Club, a member of the Northland Countrv Club, the Minnesota
Club of St. Paul, the New York Railroad Club of New York, and the
Gitcbi Nadii Club of Superior. Wisconsin. His favorite recreation is jrnlf.
and he is also a great traveler, having lived in ]iractically every section
of the United .States.
Mr. McGonagle is one of the most proinincnt Ma>^ons of northern
Minnesota, having attained the supreme thirtv-third detrree in the .Scotti'^h
Rite. fTe is a past master of Palestine Lodre No. 79. A. F. and A.
M.. past high priest of Key.stone Chapter No. 20. K. .X. M.. past com-