Erie Railroad Biography - Henry M. Vail


Henry M. Vail

HENRY M. VAIL. Youngstown, Ohio.
Henry M. Vail, generally known as "General Hooker," is one of the oldest and best known engineers of the Mahoning Valley Division. He was born in Coitsville, Ohio, in September, 1844, and was the son of a farmer of that place. Both his parents are dead, his father dying at the age of 82 and his mother when 78 years of age. Mr. Vail left home at the age of 10 and apprenticed himself to a cabinet maker and undertaker in Youngstown, with whom he remained five years. He became an expert in the undertaking line and for the last two years of his stay had full charge of that branch of the business, being considered the best undertaker in the city. In April, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his regiment was added to the brigade commanded by Brigadier General Body. After leaving Youngstown the regiment went successively to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, and then began to see service, first at Murphysboro, then Stoney Ridge, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. At Chickamauga Mr. Vail was shot in the left leg, and at almost the same moment his haversack was shot from his back. He was recovered sufficiently to be in his place at Missionary Ridge and again the aim of a "Johnny Reb" caught him. This time he was shot in the right leg between the knee and ankle, shattering the shin bone. He was in the hospital six months from the effects of the wound, which was so severe that the surgeons insisted on amputating his leg. Mr. Vail would not consent to the operation, saying, "If I have to die here I will die with both legs." His persistency saved the limb and he is happy that he did not allow them to use the saw, although the wound has bothered him more or less ever since. He received his discharge from the service on account of disability, and returned to Youngstown. He receives a small pension from the government, but money is little compensation for the trouble his injury has caused him at different times.

On returning home he worked as undertaker at his old place for about a year, when Engineer Henry McCartney persuaded him to enter the employ of the Erie. He began firing July 3, 1865, and worked in that capacity till 1869, when he was given an engine. In 1870 he was assigned to passenger and for eighteen years ran from Niles, Ohio, to New Lisbon on trains Nos. 12, 3, 64 and 71. He then took local freight between Youngstown and Sharpsville, which he ran for three months. One day while mounting his engine at Youngstown the step turned with him, and while he was trying to save his injured leg he broke the other one three-fourths of an inch above the ankle joint. His injury was very severe and he was laid up for a full year in consequence of it. When able to return to duty he was given a passenger run between Youngstown and New Castle, which he ran for two years, when his injured leg gave out from the heat and jar of the engine. His faithful and efficient service was rewarded by being given a yard engine in the Youngstown yard at road pay, and he has since continued at that work. He is a very competent and conscientious engineer and when in the road service was a great runner. In his whole 35 years on the foot-board he has never had a wreck and was never called up for explanations but once, and that was for no fault of his own.

He was married at Bradford, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1866, to Miss Hattie L. Goist of Liberty, Ohio, and they have had four children, two of whom survive. Mr. Vail is a member of B. of L. E., Division No. 329, and is a valued citizen of Youngstown, where he is quite popular.

He came by his nickname at a social gathering of engineers, some years ago, when, a stranger referring to Mr. Vail asked: "Who is that gentleman over there?" Mr. Vail overheard the remark and replied: "I am General J. Hooker." Since that time the name has clung to him and nearly every engineer calls him General Hooker now. Mr. Vail is a great lover of fine horses and has owned several fine blooded equines which were very speedy. He now has a finely bred mare which can reel off a mile in good time and Mr. Vail values her at a very tidy sum.

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




From the September 20, 1910 issue of the Marion Daily Star:
An ax vigorously wielded by Thomas Edwards, a cab driver, cut off the leg of William J. Shaw, Erie fireman, at Youngstown Monday afternoon, and liberated him from the debris of a wreck when an engine was sideswiped by a passenger coach near the Erie depot.

Shaw and the engineer, H.N. Vail, were caught in the wreckage and both were badly scalded. Shaw was held in the debris by his leg and the use of the ax probably saved his life. The leg was cork.

Shaw is quite well known in the railroad circles here.




From the January, 1923 issue of Erie Magazine:
From a Youngstown newspaper the death of Harry M. Vail is learned. It stated that he was a retired Erie engineer and a Civil War veteran. He passed away at his home in Youngstown from the infirmities of old age in his 78th year. He had been in the Erie service 46 years. On account of his fine war record his intimates referred to him affectionately as "General Hooker."


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