JACOB P. HORRING, Jersey City, New Jersey. Those persons that think that railroad life tends to draw a man away from church life and its influences will find nothing in the career of Jacob P. Horring to substantiate that idea, for he has been a true Christian all his life, and is now one of the pillars of the North Baptist Church of Jersey City. Mr. Horring was born in New York City, September 28, 1838, and is the son of Peter Horring, owner of a sloop, which he sailed for a number of years, afterward retiring to a farm near Bergen, New Jersey. After securing his education in the public schools, Mr. Horring began work as a painter, which trade he followed until February, 1865, when he commenced work on the old New York & Erie as a blacksmith in the Jersey City shops. He followed this but four months, accepting an opportunity of going on the road as a fireman. He served in this capacity for a period of eleven years, being promoted to engineer February 6, 1876. For a number of years he ran on the road in the freight service, making Piermont, the Long Dock, and various other terminals. Some years since he was given a day switch engine in the Jersey City yards, which he is running at the present time. He is one of those fortunate men who soon earns and ever afterward holds the respect of those with whom he comes in contact, and is highly regarded by the officials of his division.

Mr. Horring made a fortunate move on June 29, 1865, for on that day he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen J. Bell, daughter of Aaron G. Bell, a boss stone mason of Orangeburg, New York, and for the past twelve years a watchman on the Erie. Mrs. Horring is, like her husband, a member of the North Baptist Church, and is one of those true Christian women whose religion is wider than the creed of any church, as is evidenced by her great interest in the affairs of the Sisters of St. Michael's Hospital. She contemplates soon joining the Daughters of Liberty, and that organization will be better for having her as a member. They have two children: John, a detective in Siegel Cooper's big store in New York City, also having charge of the supply room; William, who is married, formerly in the employ of the Erie, but now a driver and collector for the J. Kernani Company. Mr. Horring is the owner of some nice residence property in Orangeburg, New York.


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