LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the life and accomplishments of
Alonzo John Wemple, railroad engineer and fireman, and recognizing his
significant role in the history of our Nation

WHEREAS, The year 2012 marks the 83rd Anniversary of the death of rail-
road engineer Alonzo John Wemple; and
WHEREAS, Alonzo John Wemple was born in Schenectady, New York, on
October 1, 1833; he spent his entire professional life as a railroad
man, working throughout the United States; during that time, he was
present at many significant historical events of that era; and
WHEREAS, While working for the Illinois Central Railroad during the
Civil War, Engineer Wemple transported captured Confederate soldiers to
union prison camps; and
WHEREAS, In 1865, Alonzo J. Wemple joined the elite group of engineers
who piloted the funeral train of President Abraham Lincoln, which trans-
ported Lincoln's body, with stops for viewing, from Washington, D.C.,
through Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana, and Chicago,
and then on to its final resting place in Springfield, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, While working at the time for the New York Central Railroad,
Alonzo J. Wemple piloted the train on part of its journey, most likely
from Schenectady to Troy, New York, although it is possible he was the
engineer who brought the train into Springfield; and
WHEREAS, A few years later, Alonzo J. Wemple was running a switch
engine in Illinois and witnessed the great Chicago fire that ravaged the
city in 1871; and
WHEREAS, Alonzo J. Wemple then moved to Texas, and from 1886 to 1888,
he piloted trains on the Texas and Pacific Railway that headed west from
Texarkana; he went on to settle in Bonham, Texas, where he piloted
switch engines for many years into the 1920s; and
WHEREAS, On January 21, 1929, Alonzo J. Wemple died in Fort Worth,
Texas, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, His first wife was Charlotte Pennington and together they had
six children, Frances, Minnie, Frederick, Mary, Charles, and Charlotte;
after his wife's passing in 1892, Alonzo married Pearly Lou Williams,
and they were the proud parents of one son, Judie Newton Wemple; and
WHEREAS, History is made not only by the deeds of the famous but also
by the accumulated experience of countless individuals, and although
Alonzo J. Wemple played only a small part, he was a witness to some of
the most important events of his time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the life and accomplishments of Alonzo John Wemple, railroad
engineer and fireman, and to recognize his significant role in the
history of our Nation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Katherine Chansky, Librarian and Archivist, Schenectady Coun-
ty Historical Society, 32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, New York
12305.