Obituary

Edward was the youngest son of Anthony and Ursula R. VanAken. His childhood was spent on the farm in Michigan, where his parents settled, near the city of Charlotte. he received an early education in the city schools of Charlotte. At the age of seventeen he definitely decided on a career, going to the city of Toledo, Ohio to take up the study of telegraphy, which proved to be his life's work. his first position; was at Wyandotte, Michigan; following he entered the service of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway, at Plainwell, Michigan. In 1888 he moved his family to Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas, where he entered the service of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railway. This service continued almost uninterrupted up to the time of his death a remarkable 43 years. He established residence at Newton, Kansas in 1896, at which time he was transferred, following the removal of the division headquarters to Newton.

He was united in marriage to Carrie N. Douglas in the city of Plainwell, Michigan, November 5, 1884, with whom he established a home; this home was blessed with two children, Mrs. Kenneth A. Lord of Arlington Heights, Mass., and Lawrence W. of Cleveland, Ohio.


Kansan,Friday, Feb. 20, 1931