Ernest S. Marsh (January 10, 1903 – October 9, 1975) was president of the Santa Fe Railway system from 1957 through 1966. He was instrumental in forming the railway's holding company, Santa Fe Industries,[1][2] and served on the board of directors for the Regional Transportation Authority in Illinois.

Ernest S. Marsh
Marsh aboard the Chief in October 1966
Born(1903-01-10)January 10, 1903
DiedOctober 9, 1975(1975-10-09) (aged 72)
Occupationrailroad executive

Family and education

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Ernest Marsh was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on January 10, 1903.[3] In 1912, his father died, which led him to the workforce to help support his family.[4] His formal education did not last through high school, with him taking employment rather than graduating.[5]

Career

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Marsh first joined the Santa Fe as a file clerk in 1918 based in Clovis, New Mexico.[4] In a 1973 interview, he revealed that he had lied about his birthdate on his application because the minimum work age at the time was 16;[6] his birthdate in the employee records was not corrected for another 21 years.[5] He served in several clerk positions on the railway until becoming chief clerk at the railway's president's office in Chicago in 1942.[3] He was then promoted in 1944 to be an assistant to the president in 1944 and executive assistant to the president in 1945.[3]

In 1948 Marsh became the Santa Fe's financial vice president. Marsh ascended to the presidency of the Santa Fe on May 1, 1957,[4] succeeding Fred G. Gurley, who had served in that position since 1944.[3] At the same time, John Shedd Reed was named as the president's executive assistant.[3] Marsh was named chief executive officer on May 1, 1958, and chairman of the executive committee on May 1, 1959.[4] Marsh was not averse to spending money to help the railway's success,[1] nor did he spurn new technology, even going so far as to suggest the use of nuclear bombs to help excavate the railway's right-of-way.[7]

On January 1, 1967, Marsh took another promotion, this time to become chairman of the board of directors for the railway.[4] John Shedd Reed then succeeded Marsh as president.

Marsh finally retired from the Santa Fe on January 31, 1973,[6] but remained as a member of the board of directors until his death.[1][2] Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley appointed Marsh to a two-year term on the board of directors for the Regional Transportation Authority in June 1974.[8]

Ernest Marsh died at home following a heart attack on October 9, 1975.[5][8]

Legacy

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Ross, Kenneth (February 5, 1973). "Santa Fe's Marsh still in step with times (continued)". Chicago Tribune. p. 71 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ a b "Marsh retiring from Santa Fe". Chicago Tribune. January 30, 1973. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ a b c d e "Gurley to Become Board Chairman of Santa Fe". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 1957. p. 47 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ a b c d e "Marsh to Move Up To Board Chairman". Albuquerque Journal. December 1, 1966. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ a b c "Ernest S. Marsh". Chicago Tribune. October 10, 1975. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ a b Ross, Kenneth (February 5, 1973). "Santa Fe's Marsh still in step after 55 years". Chicago Tribune. p. 69 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ Clark, William (July 13, 1964). "Marsh's Realm at Santa Fe: From Hotboxes to Atom Blasts". Chicago Tribune. p. 59 – via Newspapers.com.  
  8. ^ a b "Obituaries: Ernest S. Marsh". Chicago Tribune. October 11, 1975. p. 70 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ "Dear Minnie". Los Angeles Times. June 18, 1995. p. 347 – via Newspapers.com.  


Preceded by President of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
1957 – 1966
Succeeded by