ALFRED B. JAGGERS, Port Jervis, New York.
In the beautiful city of Port Jervis, with its many happy and prosperous homes, there is none that surpasses in comfort and happiness the home of Alfred B. Jaggers, one of the Erie's rising young engineers. Mr. Jaggers was born in Pike County, Pennsylvania, on March 12, 1851, and is the son of John L. Jaggers, a substantial farmer ot that prosperous county. He attended the public schools until he was 17 years of age, and then for the ensuing two years devoted his attention to his father's farm. In the spring of 1880 he turned his back on the farm and started forth to make his way in the world. Securing a position as brakeman with the Delaware & Hudson Company, he put in five years mastering the duties that fall to the lot of that avocation. He then entered the shops of the D. & H., and for one year worked as blacksmith. While thus engaged he became more intimately acquainted with the "iron horse" of commerce, and decided to become the master of one. In 1886 he secured a place as fireman on the Erie, and for four years ran on the New York Division. A thorough, competent workman, his devotion to duty brought reward, and in 1890 he was promoted to engineer; since which time he has been in the freight service between Port Jervis and Jersey City. Being an excellent fireman, it is but natural that he has developed into a good engineer, and has earned the respect of his fellow employes and superiors.
On November 24, 1879, Mr. Jaggers was married to Miss Lizzie Truesbell, daughter of James Truesbell, a farmer near Carbondale, Pennsylvania. They have four charming children, of whom Nellie, Maude and May are attending school, while Lois is the pet and baby of the family. Mr. Jaggers belongs to Port Jervis Lodge, No. 54, B. of L. E., and takes great interest in the affairs of that order.
Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.
From the January, 1937 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
New York Division engineer Alfred B. Jagger of Jersey City was retired recently and placed on the special allowance payroll at age 75 after 49 years, 10 months of service.
From the December, 1942 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
We regret to report the passing of Jersey City veteran A. Jagger, retired engineer, and extend sympathy to the family.
Also:
Alfred B. Jagger, 82, former Erie engineer, died Oct. 21 (1942) in Stroudsburg, PA. He retired in 1934 after service of 49 years as a locomotive fireman and engineer on the New York Division.
He was born in Dingman's Ferry, Pike County, PA.
Mr. Jagger was a member of Division 54, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and of the Erie Railroad Veterans Association.
Surviving relatives are one sister, Mrs. Martin Quick of Jersey City, and four daughters: Mrs. Orville Mayfield, Seattle, WA; Mrs. Elmer Barrier, Stroudsburg; Mrs. Russell Ponsette, Topton, PA; and Miss Lois Jagger, Passaic, NJ.
The funeral was held in the Methodist Church at Branchfield, NJ and burial was in the family lot in Branchville cemetery.
