Springfield-Greene
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WALTER P. GUSTIN. To the average mortal success in material things in this world comes as a result of persistent striving and grim determination. Walter P. Gustin, general yard master for the Frisco at Springfield, has succeeded in his life work as a result of applying right principles.
Mr. Gustin was born at Piqua, Ohio, October 31, 1871. He is a son of Joseph E. Gustin, who was born in Warren county, Ohio and there he grew to manhood and attended the common schools. Early in life he took up the butcher business, which he continued to follow until his death, which occurred in 1911 at the age of seventy-eight years. He first engaged in business in Dayton, Ohio, finally coming to Springfield, Missouri, where he operated a large butcher shop on Main street for a number of years. During the Civil war he enlisted in an Ohio infantry regiment and for gallantry was promoted to lieutenant. He saw much hard service and fought in a number of important engagements, including Bull Run. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Harriet Holt, a daughter of Phillamon Holt, of Dayton, Ohio. She makes her home on North Jefferson street, Springfield, being now seventy-one years of age.
Walter P. Gustin spent his early boyhood in Ohio, where he attended school, finishing his education in the public schools of Springfield. However, he left school when sixteen years of age and went to work for his father in the butcher business. Returning to Ohio, he began working, in 1890, in the shops of the Little Miami Railroad Company, later did yard work at Dayton until 1892, then returned to Springfield and went to work for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott and Memphis Railroad Company, in the yards, where he worked until 1894, then went back to Ohio, and entered the train service of the Pennsylvania and Columbus Railroad Company, as brakeman, later being promoted to conductor, which position he held until March, 1902, when he came to Springfield and took a position as foreman in the engine yards, then became night yard master and finally general yard master. He was train master of terminals at Newberg, Missouri, for eighteen months or until July 4, 1910, then was yard master at Monett, this state, until September, 1912, then came back to Springfield as general yard master of terminals, Which position he now holds. He has under him seventy-five hands. He has given eminent satisfaction in all the various positions he has held since entering railroad service.
Mr. Gustin was married in 1903 to Elsie Fisher, a daughter of David Fisher, of Xenia, Ohio. To this union four children have been born, namely: Charles, Francis, Walter P., Jr., and Rachael. Our subject owns his own home on North Jefferson street.
Politically, Mr. Gustin is a Republican. He has been a member of the Order of Railway Conductors for the past fifteen years. He belongs to the Benton Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.
[1899-1900]
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