Walter S. Franklin (died August 17, 1972) was an American railroad executive. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1949 to 1954.
Walter S. Franklin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Walter Sidmons Franklin III Ashland, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 88) Northeast Harbor, Maine, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Railroad executive |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Legion of Honour Distinguished Service Medal |
Early life
editWalter Sidmonds Franklin III[citation needed] was born in Ashland, Maryland.[1] He graduated from Harvard University in 1906.[2]
Career
editIn 1906, Franklin began work at Pennsylvania Railroad as a clerk. In 1933, he became vice president in charge of traffic. In 1937, he was elected to the board of directors.[3][4] He later worked at freight offices in Baltimore, York, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Atlanta.[3] He served as president of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad from 1929 to 1931, president of Wabash Railroad and Ann Arbor Railroad from 1931 to 1933.[3][4] He was president of Long Island Rail Road from 1950 to 1955.[3][4]
Franklin served in the U.S. Army during the Mexican board troubles.[2] During World War I, Franklin directed the movement of troops and supplies through England.[5] He received the Distinguished Service Order, Legion of Honour and the Distinguished Service Medal for his service during World War I.[3] He helped establish the Port of Philadelphia and a multi-million dollar pier at Greenwich Point in Philadelphia.[2]
In 1938, Franklin returned to Pennsylvania and became director.[3] During World War II, he was advisor to the Secretary of Navy.[3] He was appointed executive vice president of Pennsylvania Railroad in 1947. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Railroad from June 16, 1949, to May 31, 1954. He continued as a director until 1959.[3][1][4] He was president of the American Trading Company of New York City, an import-export firm, for ten years.[5][4]
Personal life
editFranklin had a daughter and son, Mrs. Casper W. Morris and William B.[3][2] He lived at 45 West Old Gulph Road in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.[5][2]
Franklin died on August 17, 1972, aged 88, in Northeast Harbor, Maine.[3][2]
Legacy and awards
editFranklin received an honorary degree from the University of Pennsylvania.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Ex-Pennsy Rail President Dies". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 12. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g "W. S. Franklin, Ex-RR Prexy". Philadelphia Daily News. August 19, 1972. p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Walter Franklin Dead at Age 88; Headed Railroad". The Hartford Courant. August 19, 1972. p. 49. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Retired prexy of Pennsy RR dies". The Morning Press. August 19, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Walter S. Franklin at 88, Headed PRR". The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 19, 1972. p. 23. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
