CHARLES D. ANGLE, Port Jervis, New York.
As engineers go on the Erie, Charles D. Angle is to be considered one of the young men; nevertheless he has been in the service of the company for thirty years, all of that time with a clear record. Born in Pike County, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1849, and leaving school at the age of 17, he remained upon the farm up to his 20th year, and then, in June, 1869, began his long and honorable railroad career as fireman on engine 362, with engineer Dan. Kenyon, and remained firing on freight till December, 1877, being then promoted to engineer in charge of engine 338, running extra freight between Port Jervis and Jersey City from that time till 1889, when, after putting in six months as extra passenger man, he took runs 28 and 29, Port Jervis to Jersey City, which runs he is still holding down, having, at the present time, engine 369.

Mr. Angle was married at Port Jervis, March 17, 1874, to Charlotte E. Coykendall, their one child, Olive, having been taken from them by death in January, 1888, in her 13th year. Although Mr. Angle is the owner of two houses in Matamoras, he lives in Port Jervis at the present time, preferring to be nearer his work. A member of Division 54, B. of L. E., of Port Jervis, he has never aspired to office, though taking the deepest interest in all things pertaining to the best good of his fellow-workers. He is also a Freemason, having been made so in Port Jervis Lodge, No. 328, in 1872. From 1894 to 1806 Mr. Angle successfully conducted the affairs of the Republican county committee of Pike County, Pennsylvania, as its chairman, and his interest in politics still remains strong, although he is not desirous of office.

Throughout his long and varied service Mr. Angle has met with the vicissitudes common to railroad men, but has had but one serious accident, this being on September 24, 1897, when his engine collided with a coal train in the Port Jervis yard, the accident being due to the cut-out cock being closed, thus rendering it impossible to apply the brakes in time. On this occasion he was rendered unconscious for hours, and was severely cut and bruised, being compelled to remain four days in hospital, and being under care for thirty days before resuming his run.

In religious matters Mr. Angle is a prominent and progressive member of the Baptist church of Port Jervis, and is trustee of the society and deacon of the church. His heart is deeply concerned in the furtherance of Christian endeavor and the promotion of the religious welfare of his brother men. Mr. Angle is deeply interested in the forwarding of the Y.M.C.A., having become identified with that order some eight years ago when the association was general. In 1897 the association was merged with the branch conducted under the auspices of the railroad men, and Mr. Angle was instrumental in effecting the new organization. In 1894 he was chosen as one of the directors, and in 1895 was elected President of the Board of Managers, which position he now holds. Mr. Angle has seen the good results of the work among his associates, and can recall numerous individual instances where the influence of the association has changed men and brought them closer to church work. He feels a just pride in his interest and labors in this line of duty. Concluding, we must not neglect to call attention to the fact that Mr. Angle was a charter member of the original organization of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, in December, 1872, and takes a just pride in the success of that organization.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the May 25, 1878 issue of the Port Jervis Evening Gazette:
Engine No. 246, "The Eclectic," Charles Angle engineer, while running at a high rate of speed between Suffern and Ramseys Thursday evening, broke the eccentric strap, causing considerable excitement among the train men, and doing slight injury to the engine. At every evolution of the drivers the broken strap would strike the bottom of the boiler violently, breaking through the same, causing the water and steam to escape. Brakes were called for, but owing to the escaping steam it was impossible for the men to move about on the cars, and the train had run about half a mile in this condition before it was stopped. The fire was drawn, and no other injury sustained.

From the April, 1925 issue of the Erie Railroad Magazine:
This is a sketch of one of Erie Railroad's genuine old-timers, who after fifty-five years of service was retired last year, and is now living at Slate Hill, NY. His name is Charles Doty Angle. His record is particularly entertaining in view of the brilliant career as engineer before he was assigned a less responsible job when old age overtook him.

He was born June 29, 1849, in Pike County, PA, and started railroading as a locomotive fireman on the New York Division, at that time known as the Eastern Division of the Erie Railroad, under A.P. Bethconde, Superintendent, and L.D. Tufts, Master Mechanic, making his first trip on a little Grant engine, No. 362, in the summer of 1869 with Engineer Dan Kenyon on the way freight between Greycourt and Jersey City. Dan was nicknamed "Buttermilk," which was given him by his fellow workers, who state that when he was temporarily assigned to the milk train he lost so much time that the milk was sour on arrival at destination, it being a common practice at that time to apply nicknames based on operation performances of trains.

After being in service six months as fireman he was given Cook engine No. 235 as a regular assignment, with "Yankee" Ed Babcock as engineer, later being assigned to engine No. 338 with the same engineer. In 1877 he was promoted to engineer and assigned to engine (Cook) No. 246. During 1889 the track gauge was changed and he was assigned to engine No. 549, better known as a "Modoc." It was a narrow-gauge engine. At that time the third rail was put in service, and both broad and narrow gauge equipment was handled in the same train, coupled together by means of the three-link. After running in freight service for six months, he was promoted to the passenger service and assigned to train No. 30 east and No. 11 west, with "Soul" hard coal engine No. 39. He remained in passenger service and was in charge of the train pulling President E.B. Thomas of the Erie Railroad, accompanied by Mr. Harriman, making a record run from Buffalo to Jersey City. Also he ran a special train over the New York Division in 100 minutes, running via Paterson, and had charge of the President Roosevelt and Governor Flower specials over the same division.

In 1919 he retired from active service as engineer, due to ill health, and did not regain his health sufficiently to return to service in that capacity, but served in several minor positions, the last service being coal field watchman, which position was given up in 1924, due to the death of his wife. He moved to Slate Hill, NY to live with relatives, and at present is located at that point.

Following is his full record with the Erie:

June 10, 1869, fireman, New York Division; Dec. 1, 1877, engineer; Dec. 4, 1888, passenger engineer; April, 1918, various positions at Port Jervis terminal; Sept. 1, 1919, coal field watchman, NY Division; April 1, 1924, resigned on account of poor physical condition.

Asked how he happened to enter the service of the Erie Railroad, he said:

"When a young boy I visited the home of the veteran Erie Engineer G. Eiseman (Iseman), who took me to the engine house when going out on a trip, and after the completion of his trip I was to meet him. In both cases I assisted him about his engine with tools, etc., later taking a trip or two over the Division with him, which resulted in my taking an interest in railroad work and created a desire on my part to become an engineer, which ambition was realized when Mr. Eiseman secured employment for me as a fireman, and took me to his home, where I remained during the early years of my employment."

The reason he gave for sticking to his job for over fifty years is as follows:

"While an interest in railroad work had already been aroused in me by my association with Mr. Eiseman, at the same time I realized the railroads were a necessity at all times and provided a source of steady and permanent employment for those who desired to comply with the rules and accomplish the work assigned them, and while I experienced some discouragement at times, due to fluctuation in business brough about by panics, etc., this was overcome by the acquaintances and friendships I formed among my fellow workers and my employers, to the extent that I appreciated it so much that I determined to devote my entire time to my work, and when I now think of some of the instances during my term of service, they serve as a memory so pleasant that I do not feel at this time, if I had to do it all over again, that I would exchange for money or any position, my opportunity for having worked for the Erie Railroad as an engineer and served in that capacity so long. Fortunately, however, I also came to the conclusion at an early age that there was a considerable truth in the old adage, 'A rolling stone gathers no moss,' and also decided if one desired to make a success in any field of endeavor it required (to use my own synonym), stickability."

When Mr. Angle was asked what his impression of the railroad situation in general is today, he said, "That is a question that would take considerable time to answer owing to the fact that the railroads affect practically every social, economic and commercial condition throughout the country. As for the situation as it affects the employes, I know that the management has and is using every means obtainable to insure not only the comfort of the employes but particularly the Erie is the pioneer in effecting safety for the employes. As the situation affects the public I am glad to see by the reports that have come to my attention through the press, that the public in general is taking a more friendly attitude toward the railroads, which heretofore was one of enmity brought about by the influence and propaganda of a certain few solely for their own personal gain, either politically or financially, and I am satisfied that the feeling is extending so far as to eliminate these old influences and effecting a better understanding for the good of all."

From the February, 1933 issue of the Erie Railroad Magazine:
Charles D. Angle, retired engineer on the Erie's New York Division, died late in December (1932) at his home, 41 Fowler Street, Port Jervis.