James Theodore Harahan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Theodore Harahan
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| Born | January 12, 1841 Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | January 22, 1912 Kinmundy, Illinois, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Kehoe Mary N. Mallory |
| Children | 4 |
James Theodore Harahan (1841–1912) was an important American businessman. He led the Illinois Central Railroad as its president from 1906 to 1911.
Early Life and Beginnings
James Harahan was born on January 12, 1841, in Lowell, Massachusetts. His parents, Thomas and Ann Harahan, were immigrants from Ireland.
A Career in Railroads
Harahan started working for railroad companies when he was young. He began as a brakeman, which was a tough job on trains. He worked his way up through different roles. Eventually, he became the president of the Illinois Central Railroad. He took on this important role on November 7, 1906, and served until 1911. He followed Stuyvesant Fish as president.
During the American Civil War, James Harahan also served as a captain in the Union Army.
Family Life
James Harahan married Mary Kehoe in 1866. She was from New Orleans, Louisiana. They had four children together. One of their sons, William Johnson Harahan, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 22, 1867. William also became a successful railroad leader. He was the president of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad twice. William passed away in 1937.
Later, James Harahan married Mary N. Mallory on April 14, 1899. She was from Montgomery County, Tennessee.
Legacy and Remembrance
James Harahan passed away on January 22, 1912, in a train accident. He was in his own private railroad car in Kinmundy, Illinois. He was traveling with three other railroad leaders to a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. They were going to discuss building a new railroad bridge across the Mississippi River.
Their private car was at the very end of the train. Another train, called The Seminole Limited, accidentally crashed into their car from behind. The bridge they were planning was later built and named the Harahan Bridge in his honor. It opened in 1914.
The city of Harahan, Louisiana, is also named after him. James Harahan is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
