Frank Hedley (January 9, 1864[1] – July 18, 1955) was an English-American transportation executive who was president and general manager of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company.[2][3]

Hedley in 1916

Biography edit

He was born in 1864 in Maidstone, England. He migrated in 1883 to the United States and began working as a steam locomotive machinist for, first, the New York Lake Erie & Western RR in Jersey City, then New York Central & Hudson River at the locomotive servicing area at Grand Central Depot. Seeking career advancement, he soon got a job with New York Elevated Railroad in Manhattan. In 1890, Hedley was hired as master mechanic (steam) by the Kings County Elevated in Brooklyn. In 1893, he left New York seeking employment on elevated lines in Chicago.[4] By 1900, Hedley was general superintendent of the Lake Street Elevated Railroad in Chicago.[5] In 1903, Hedley returned to New York City to take the position of general superintendent of the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT). Hedley would spend the rest of his career at IRT, rising to company president by 1920.[6]

He died on July 17, 1955, at Saint John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, NY.[2][7]

References edit

  1. ^ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
  2. ^ a b "Frank Hedley, 91, Dies. Former Subways Manager" (PDF). Herald Statesman. July 18, 1955. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  3. ^ "Must Get Another Girl. Youth Who Threatened Frank Hedley's Servant Promises Court He Will". New York Times. June 4, 1911. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  4. ^ 1900 United States Federal Census
  5. ^ Poor, Henry V. "Poor's manual of railroads". pp. 57 v.
  6. ^ "FRANK HEDLEY, 91, OF I. R. T. IS DEAD; -Former President, General Manager Was Pioneer in Adapting Safety Devices". New York Times. July 17, 1955. Retrieved 2014-08-12. (subscription required)
  7. ^ "Frank Hedley, 91, Of I. R. T. Is Dead. Former President, General Manager Was Pioneer in Adapting Safety Devices". New York Times. July 17, 1955. Retrieved 2014-08-12.

External links edit