Chicago Surface Lines
Charles N. Weisseg Sr, and his bother Walter are in the picture. Charles Sr is on the right side of the photo. He began around 1911, and retired 40 years later when buses came on the scene. He began his tenure with a two-week probationary period in which you were not paid at all. After the two weeks, he was hired at 11 cents an hour. He started as a conductor, and eventually became a motorman. At some point in his career he was promoted to management but he decided quickly he belonged employed as a conductor or motorman.  He began on the 43rd and Root line, but eventually landed in the Cottage Grove Car barn. That was at Cottage Grove and 39th street. After he retired when he went to work for a few years with my Dad at the Ford Plant near Pulaski. Walter Weisseg only worked briefly with the CSL, but Charles Senior lasted all 40 years. Charles was involved in a serious accident at one point having his right ankle crushed. After much rehab he returned to what he loved. The picture is from around 1915-1916 according to my father, Harry R Weisseg. Dad said his father was the number 2 man in seniority as a Motorman and number one guy as a Conductor.
 After the Ford Jet engine job, (4-5 years) Charles Senior retired once and for all. Later in life Parkinson’s disease ravished his ability to speak well. He walked slowly and a limp was evident due to his ankle injury. We as children visited our grandparents almost every weekend, and although Charles was not in the best of health, he always had a smile for us. He died in 1973 and the following year his wife, my grandmother, followed him.
Mark Weisseg collection Back to CSL Page
Back to CTA Page
Back to Home Page