From the March, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
PERFECT EYESIGHT AT 73.
At Batavia, N.Y. on the Attica Branch of the Erie, a telegrapher of the name of J.C. Young, is in active service at the age of 73 years. Mr. Young is not only an active man, but he has wonderful vision, being able to go through the daily routine without the use of eye glasses. Not only that, but he has very recently passed an examination for vision, without glasses, an achievement very rare nowadays for any person at the age of 73.

This veteran is a bachelor. He was born Nov. 7, 1840, which made him 73 years old last November, entered the service of the Erie Railroad Oct. 21, 1863 -- 50 years ago, and is still delivering the dots and dashes of the Morse alphabet as well as in the halcyon days when he was a youth. That his services are appreciated, goes without saying.

He began at Darien as Telegraph Operator, Oct. 21, 1863; was ordered to Wayland, May 1, 1865 and to Le Roy, April 1, 1867. On June 6, 1867 he was transferred to Batavia, where he did telegraph, ticket, freight and express work.

Mr. Young says, "Safety First is a great and good movement, but health first should go with it. I do not remember missing a train account of sickness in the last thirty years."

When Mr. A.J. Stone, General Manager, was advised that Mr. Young had reached the half century mark, as a tried and true employe of the Erie, he wrote the following letter of appreciation and placed something in his stocking that all railroad men covet. Had there been a Mrs. Young, she would have been substantially remembered, as well.

New York, December 30, 1911.
Mr. J.C. Young.
Batavia, N.Y.

My Dear Sir: Please permit me to congratulate you upon the conclusion of fifty years of continuous service with the Erie Railroad Company. This is a record of which you should be very proud, as it is attained by few. I take pleasure in handing you herewith an annual pass in favor of yourself, which I trust you may find use for. Wishing you many more years of health and prosperity, I am,
Yours very truly,
(Signed) A.T. Stone, General Manager.

Answering Mr. Stone's letter, Mr. Young wrote:

Batavia, N.Y., January 5, 1914.
Mr. A. J. Stone, General Manager, New York City

Dear Sir:
Your letter of December 30, 1913, with congratulations upon my conclusion of 50 years of continuous service, and good wishes, very gratefully received. I am sure I shall enjoy the annual pass you so kindly enclosed, and all the more as coming from you so unexpectedly. Allow me to extend to you my wish for abundance of health and prosperity. Yours truly.
(Signed) J.C. Young.