In winter the rail-switches on streetcar tracks in Winnipeg froze and jammed with freezing mud and snow. Keeping them clean, whatever the weather, was the job of the switchman.

He hired out on the Milwaukee Road Railroad soon after and would spend several decades working as a switchman, in addition to serving as the secretary treasurer of his Local Union. Allan was a ...

He was born in Atchison, Kan., and lived in Kennewick for five years. He was a retired railroad switchman. Life Tributes Cremation Center, Kennewick, is in charge of arrangements.

He was of solid Irish-American stock, born in Forest City, Pennsylvania, in 1890. A one-time railroad switchman, he also had circus experience by the time he discovered an interest in movie making.