WILL G. VAN VLECK, second vice president and manager of the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio and the Texas & New Orleans railroads, entered the service of these roads October 1, 1875, as warehouseman at Flatonia, Texas. His promotion to executive head of one of the important lines of the Sunset System is a distinct achievement in the career of modern railroading. From warehouseman he became telegraph operator, then successively train dispatcher, train master, division superintendent, general superintendent, and on October 1, 1895, twenty years after entering the employ of the road, was promoted to second vice-president and manager.

Mr. Van Vleck is one of the best known citizens of Houstons, prominent in business and social circles. He was born March 5, 1857, at Elbridge, Onondaga county, New York. He is a son of William H. and Lydia M. (Babcock) Van Vleck, both natives of New York state. His father, who now lives retired in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was an expert mechanic.

Mr. Van Vleck was reared in Michigan, where after attending the common schools he entered the employ of the G.R.& I. Railway (a part of the Pennsylvania System), at first as warehouseman and then as telegraph operator and agent. He came to Texas in September, 1875, at the age of eighteen, and soon after took the employment which led to his present office. He is a director of the G.H.& S.A. and the T.& N.O. Railway companies, the Southern Pacific Terminal Company, and the Direct Navigation Company.

He is a member of the Boston Club of New Orleans; the San Antonio Club; Houston Country Club; charter member of the Houston Club; fraternally, a 32d degree Mason, being connected with the following bodies: Gray Lodge, No. 329, A.F.& A.M., Washington Chapter, R.A.M. San Antonio Commandery, No. 7, K. T., El Mina Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In national politics he is Republican, voting independently in local affairs.

He married, in 1878, Miss Florence Wolcott. She is a daughter of R.R. Wolcott, of Union City, Michigan. They have one son, Will G., Jr.