GEORGE A. HELLER, Elmira, New York. Train Master.
George A. Heller was born in Breesport, New York, on December 26, 1860, being the son of Israel Heller, a physician and surgeon of that place. The young man left school at the age of 14 and immediately began the study of telegraphy with the Utica, Ithaca & Elmira Railroad, and in December of that year was given a position as operator at Swartwood Station on that road. He remained there until June, 1878, when he resigned and accepted a similar position with the Geneva, Ithaca & Sayre Railroad -- now the Lehigh Valley -- with which he remained until June, 1880, when he entered the employ of the Erie as telegraph operator at Elmira. He was promoted to train dispatcher in April, 1883, and in November, 1891, was appointed chief dispatcher, which advancement was followed on March 1, 1899, by promotion to train master of the Susquehanna Division.

Mr. Heller was married on October 10, 1883, to Miss Ora E. Barnes, daughter of Solomon V. Barnes of Addison, New York. Mr. Heller is a member of Southern Tier Lodge 585, Royal Arcanum, of Elmira, and with his estimable wife is quite prominent in the society of that city.

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