He gave full value for his remuneration, working without friction, like a noiseless machine, and shamed slovens by close application and attention to the smallest commissions, manifesting such executive ability and economy as operating man with the Detroit & Bay City Railway, 1878, that the increasing traffic greatly enhanced the railroad’s value. At his thirty-fourth milestone, this popular, but strict disciplinarian, began in 1884, for Charles F. Adams, three years of arduous duties as Vice-President and General Manager, Union Pacific Railway, Omaha, directing reconstruction work of magnitude with force and decision. That tells its own story. Can the reader recall a parallel? It was said of him that he knew almost every man in his employ, but he was not aware of how his unfailing courtesy, freedom from ostentation and justice to all inspired personal loyalty. Always seeking knowledge, he travelled upward, serving three Canadian and nine U.S.A. corporations with an intellectual, sympathetic and expansive grasp of things which pleased magnates and earned his subordinates’ attachment. He broad-gauged the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railway, 1887 to 1894, and by going to W. K. Vanderbilt and the Presidency of the Nickel Plate in 1895, a prophecy made years ago was fulfilled. When he married Miss Jane Ecclestone, at Hamilton, June 7th, 1875, Mr. C. C. Trowbridge, his staunch friend, gave him the following letter addressed to W. H. Vanderbilt: “I take the liberty of giving this sealed letter to Mr. S. R. Callaway, who has been superintendent of the Detroit & Milwaukee during my receivership of two years. He does not know its contents. My object is to give him the honor of your acquaintance, but, more particularly, to have you know him. I regard him as one of the most promising railroad men of the West. He has been in the business from early boyhood on the Grand Trunk, Great Western and D. & M., understands telegraphy, and is familiar with the duties of the different departments. With great purity and gentleness of character, he combines a quiet force and decision which has commanded the esteem and respect of railway men, and his knowledge of detail and love of system, give him great influence with his subordinates, who are ardently attached to him. Perhaps, in the future, when some of your faithful ones drop out, you may want Callaway. I have no motive in taking this liberty but the desire to certify to the worth of a man whose modesty would prevent him from pushing himself into notice, and I feel sure that you will pardon me.” From his patrons and confreres in United States who are said to recognize and place merit before favoritism, honors came fast to this somewhat reticent, easy mannered gentleman with one passion--music and grand opera--which he delighted to indulge at the “Metropolitan” and by playing arias on a magnificent aeolian erected in his home.