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Teacher's Packet Oral Histories Articles Historic Research Students	Pacific Railroad Dignitaries "Last Spike Ceremony" including dignitaries May 10, 1869 with "119" behind them by Andrew J. Russell (Union Pacific Photographer)
Central Pacific Railway Leland Stanford was the first President of the Central Pacific Railroad. From 1864-66 he served as California's governor and became a United States Senator in 1885. He was a dynamic, charismatic, leader whose political acumen made him very effective in obtaining favorable railroad legislation. In 1891 he founded Stanford University which still stands out as one of the country's leading schools. Collis P. Huntington ran the affairs of the Central Pacific in Washington D.C. His political savvy made him very adept at obtaining railroad and financial legislation favorable to the Central Pacific. Huntington, like the rest of the Big Four, was a shrewd and crafty businessman. Charles Crocker served as the director of construction efforts for the Central Pacific. He admittedly had no prior experience in railroading, but attacked the work with great zeal. His ramrod-like attitude was just what was needed to conquer the Sierra Nevada. Charles Crocker is responsible for the hiring of tens of thousands of Chinese workers in California who became known as "Crockers Pets". Mark Hopkins, also known by many as "Uncle Mark", was the financial wizard of the Big Four. He kept the books, paid the bills, and squeezed every penny out of every dollar. His efforts kept the Central Pacific financially solvent and operational when funds were scarce and the company operated heavily on borrowed money. Theodore Judah was the construction engineer whose energy and vision deserves much of the credit for the transcontinental railroad. He surveyed the route through the treacherous Sierra Nevada Mountains and created the Central Pacific Railway. He is also responsible for convincing the Big Four to back the railroad with their considerable talents and wealth. Judah never saw his dream fulfilled. He contracted yellow fever while in Panama and died in 1863. James H. Strobridge was the Construction Superintendent for the Central Pacific Railway. During the construction of the railroad he was considered to be a large and powerful man who ruled with an iron fist. His effectiveness and aggressive work habits helped the Central Pacific to lay hundreds more miles of track than anyone thought possible. Samuel S. Montague replaced Theodore Judah as the Chief Engineer of the Central Pacific. Since Judah had already surveyed the route, it was Montague who took on the task of tunneling through the granite mountains. The Sierra Nevada also forced him to build hundreds of trestles and bridges, and over 37 miles of snow sheds. Historians consider Montague to have been a very fine engineer. Union Pacific Railway Dr. Thomas C. Durant held the position of Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad. He was a doctor of medicine before he began his career as a railroad man. He eventually came to be thought of as one of the worst robber barons. Durant had a course personality that won him few friends. His shrewd and often underhanded methods helped the Union Pacific to succeed in its early years and made him very wealthy in the process. Oliver Ames along with his brother, Oakes Ames, owned a shovel manufacturing company in Massachusetts when they first became involved with the UP. Oliver replaced John Dix as president of UP, and also served as a United States Congressmen. He was heavily involved in the political and financial aspects of the railroad. Sidney Dillon held the position of President of the Credit Mobilier Company while also serving as a member of the UP board of directors. He commonly overstepped his bounds to look out for Durant's interests while he was away. Dillon was known for his questionable business practices. John Duff sat on the Union Pacific Stockholders executive committee and was a company director. He opposed the unethical practice of awarding construction contracts to company directors. Ironically, he was president of the Wyoming Coal and Mining Company which had a fifteen year contract to supply coal to the Union Pacific. Dan T. Casement came from Michigan with his brother Jack. The Casements were a team. Dan was the book keeper and financier. He made sure the bills were paid, and some how found the money to keep a steady flow of wages to the workers, even at his own expense when necessary. He also made sure that all supplies were ordered and delivered on time to keep the crews busy. General John S. "Jack" Casement was known among his men as "General Jack". He and his brother, Dan, were small men (just over 5 feet tall), but were a bundle of energy and were so tough that many men feared them. Jack was a general in the Civil War and ran his track laying crews like a military unit. Trouble makers could easily find themselves on the wrong end of a bullwhip that the general carried. Grenville M. Dodge earned his rank for meritorious service during the Civil War and was even wounded on at least two occasions. Dodge's role for the Union Pacific was that of Chief Engineer. His skill and ability were unmatched. Because of the speed at which he could lay track during the war it was said of him "we don't know where General Dodge is, but we know where he's been." Dodge often disagreed with Durant and once, presidential candidate Ulysses Grant was needed to settle a disagreement between the two men.