E. S. BLOCKER, Huntington, Indiana
Among the Erie engineers who make their home in Huntington there are none more highly respected nor who stand higher in the esteem of the officials than E. S. Blocker, who has a run on the fast passengers, Nos. 13 and 12. The son of Sherman Blocker, an attorney of Medina County, Ohio, he was born in Wadsworth, that state, July 14, 1849. He received both a common and high school education, and at a very tender age began work with a construction crew on the A. & G. W. After three months of this work he went with a civil engineer corps, and when the Erie was completed he secured a position as brakeman, which he held for two and one-half years. In 1867 he was transferred to the mechanical department by Master Mechanic Hill, and for the ensuing three years fired for Engineer B. C. Bosworth between Kent and Galion. In 1871 he was promoted to engineer, but in 1875 he resigned to accept a position with Chambers & Company of Cleveland as Chief Engineer of their plant at Akron. He held this place two years, leaving to accept a place as Engineer under Master Mechanic Allen Cook, and worked on construction train on Chicago & West Indiana, virtually building that road between Chicago and Hammond, Indiana. In the spring of 1883 he received an offer from Master Mechanic Ackley of the Erie and he returned to the employ of that company. He was assigned to the freight service at first, but as his ability was proven he was advanced to more important runs until now he holds one of the fastest runs on the schedule. He is popular among the employes, and many times has received commendation from his superiors for fast runs and good judgment displayed.
He was married February 12, 1874, to Miss Addie M. Vallen, daughter of Joseph Vallen, a prominent farmer of Summit County, Ohio, and three children have been born to them. Raymond B., 21 years of age, is a machinist in the Erie shops at Huntington; Marcie G., aged 16, and Loyd S., are attending school in Huntington. He is a member of B. of L. E., Division 221, and for two terms was Chief Engineer of this division. He occupies a place of prominence among the small world of railway people of the city, and is a valued citizen of Huntington, owning a fine home on Frederick street.
Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.
E.S. BLOCKER
Suspended 10 days for derailing engine and breaking car at Markle, Nov. 25th. Report 601.
SOURCE: P. 174 and 180, Chicago & Erie Railroad Employment Summary Book, ledger book covering @ 1880-1905. Donated to this site courtesy of Nick Pappas. Transcription by Jim Sponholz (c) 2007.