JOHN MEUSER, Galion, Ohio.
John Meuser has been in the employ of the Erie for the past thirty-four years, and by strict attention to business and exceptional ability he has risen from the humble position of wiper to the proud distinction of engineer on the fast Wells-Fargo Express on Divisions 3 and 4. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 31, 1842. His father was John P. Meuser, a native of Prussia, Germany, who received distinction in the famed battle of Waterloo, and who was decorated with a medal for special bravery by the ruler of his province. The medal is now in the possession of Mr. Meuser's brother, who is also an engineer on the Erie. Mr. Meuser attended school until he was 14 years of age, and for the next four years he worked on a farm in Crawford County, Ohio. From 1861 to 1865 he was foreman in a brick yard, and in the fall of 1865 he entered the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad as a wiper. In 1867 he was promoted to hostler in the Galion shops, a position he held until 1869, when he began firing. He fired nineteen months, when his ability was recognized by promotion to engineer. He ran freight for nineteen years and has been a passenger engineer for over ten years. He is considered one of the best runners on his division, and many times has received commendation from his superiors.

Mr. Meuser narrowly escaped a serious accident at Pottersburg on No. 3. A car standing on the sidetrack was not in the clear, and as Mr. Meuser's engine came along the edge of the car stripped the side of the locomotive. Luckily Mr. Meuser escaped injury, while the fireman was but slightly hurt. In his twenty-nine years' experience no one has ever lost their life on the train he pulled.

Mr. Meuser was married in July, 1869, to Lydia A. Sheaffer, daughter of William W. Sheaffer, a blacksmith in the Big Four and Erie shops at Galion. They have two children: Letta L., aged 27, was educated in Galion, and is the wife of R. C. Case, a fireman on the Erie, and who lives at Galion; Wiliam W., the second child, is 24 years of age and is employed in the Erie shops. He married Miss Alvirda Nelson in 1897, and lives in Galion. Mr. Meuser is a member of B. of L. E., Division No. 16, and Galion Lodge No. 215, I.0.0.F.; Labonah Encampment No. 123, and Rebecca Lodge No. 284. He owns fine double property on South Columbus street in Galion, and a good farm in Polk Township, Crawford County, Ohio. He is a substantial and highly respected citizen.


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