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George Louis Parkinson

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George Louis Parkinson

Birth
Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, USA
Death
9 Jun 1948 (aged 76)
San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA
Burial
El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California, USA Add to Map
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George was a brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He began his career on the railroad during the steam train era when the brakes on trains were manipulated by hand from the roof of the train. On the roof of the train, in all kinds of weather, George would have to literally jump from one car to another to pull the brakes (as there were almost as many brakes as there were cars attached). Many men died in their duties as a brakeman, fell to their deaths between cars where they were mangled beyond recognition under the wheels of the train. It was a job that took tremendous courage, strength and precise timing.

Railroad workers were typically away from home for days at a time. Sometimes, men were transferred to other "lines" which meant they had to uproot their families and settle somewhere else for a while. George was transferred from California to Oregon for a few years until he was able to settle permanently with his family in Berkeley, near Oakland, California - a busy railroad hub during the early through mid 1900's.

George was remembered as a gentle, easygoing guy with a great sense of humor.

He died of lung disease (an occupational hazard) at Southern Pacific Hospital in San Francisco.
George was a brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He began his career on the railroad during the steam train era when the brakes on trains were manipulated by hand from the roof of the train. On the roof of the train, in all kinds of weather, George would have to literally jump from one car to another to pull the brakes (as there were almost as many brakes as there were cars attached). Many men died in their duties as a brakeman, fell to their deaths between cars where they were mangled beyond recognition under the wheels of the train. It was a job that took tremendous courage, strength and precise timing.

Railroad workers were typically away from home for days at a time. Sometimes, men were transferred to other "lines" which meant they had to uproot their families and settle somewhere else for a while. George was transferred from California to Oregon for a few years until he was able to settle permanently with his family in Berkeley, near Oakland, California - a busy railroad hub during the early through mid 1900's.

George was remembered as a gentle, easygoing guy with a great sense of humor.

He died of lung disease (an occupational hazard) at Southern Pacific Hospital in San Francisco.

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Cremains interred.

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