Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Charlton, Alexander Drysdale November 15, 1859 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com and   July 14, 2006, 9:18 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Volume II, 
Pages 161-162

	ALEXANDER DRYSDALE CHARLTON.  Natural predilection and inherited 
tendencies inclined Alexander Drysdale Charlton toward the railroad business, 
in which he has continued throughout life, and each step in his career has 
been an upward one, bringing him broader opportunities and greater 
responsibilities.  He makes his headquarters in Portland and has been in the 
service of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company for more than forty-four 
years.  A native of Canada, he was born in Hamilton, Ontario, November 15, 
1859, and his parents were James and Mary (Drysdale) Charlton.  His father was 
born in Newcastle, England, and went to Hamilton, Canada, as auditor for the 
Great Western Railway Company.  Afterward he located in St. Louis, Missouri, 
and went from that city to Chicago as passenger traffic manager for the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad Company.  He was an officer of the Transcontinental 
Passenger Association and achieved national prominence in that branch of 
railroad service.  Endowed with the qualities of leadership, Mr. Charlton left 
the deep impress of his individuality upon his work and his useful, upright 
life was terminated in 1913, when he was eight-one years of age.
	In the acquirement of an education Alexander D. Charlton attended the 
public schools of Hamilton and at the age of fourteen obtained his first 
knowledge of railroad operations, becoming an office boy for the Great 
Western.  From 1877 until 1884 he was connected with the Chicago & Alton line, 
residing during that time in the Windy city, and on February 15, 1884, arrived 
in Portland.  He was made general western passenger agent of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad Company in that year, later becoming assistant passenger 
agent, and for several years has been general passenger agent.  Mr. Charlton 
has charge of the company’s passenger business from Montana to the Pacific 
coast as well as the traffic in Alaska and southern California and the 
oriental passenger business.  Broad experience enables him to readily solve 
the difficult problems which are constantly presented to him and the work of 
his department is thoroughly systematized.  He has a special aptitude for the 
railroad business and is also interested in financial affairs, serving on the 
directorate of the Portland Trust & Savings Bank.
	In 1889 Mr. Charlton married Miss Ida M. Comstock, a native of 
Portland and a daughter of T. B. Comstock, one of the city’s honored pioneers, 
whose wife was a child of five when her parents made the overland trip to 
Oregon, joining the second train of emigrants who undertook this long and 
hazardous journey, and the family settled at The Dalles.  Mrs. Comstock’s 
father was a fine type of the western pioneer and aided materially in 
developing the natural resources of this region.  Mr. and Mrs. Charlton are 
the parents of a son, H. C., who is a graduate of Stanford University.  During 
the World war he enlisted in the aviation corps and was made an instructor in 
flying.  His attention is now given to commercial pursuits and Portland 
numbers him among its successful hardware merchants.  He is married and has a 
son, Robert, aged four years.
	Alexander D. Charlton is a member of the Auld Lang Syne Society, the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Arlington Club and the Multnomah Golf 
and Athletic Clubs.  He takes a leading part in the activities of the Chamber 
of Commerce and is allied with the republican party but has never sought 
political preferment.  Notable changes have occurred during the period of his 
residence in Portland and the progress of the city is a matter in which he 
takes much personal pride.  Stable in purpose and conscientious and energetic 
by nature, he has accomplished much and stands deservedly high in the esteem 
of his fellowmen.	


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Volume II, 
Cnicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1928

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