JACOB VOORHIS
From the June, 1915 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
CONDUCTOR JACOB VOORHIS.
Among the very popular Passenger Conductors on the New York Division is Jacob Voorhis, whose picture is presented with this sketch. Conductor Voorhis represents the intelligent and discerning type of Conductor -- the kind whose manner and method of running trains appeals to and pleases the traveling public, rather than offending it. No one knows better than railroad officials, that a conductor can influence business for a company, or he can drive it away, as his attitude toward people may be. A polite conductor, who has the quality of being a gentleman, always having in mind the comfort and rights of his passengers and goes out of his way to show it, is a business getter. On the other hand, a conductor, who carries the everlasting grouch into his train, disregards the rights of his passengers and acts as though he were bestowing a special privilege on those who buy tickets and ride with him, by allowing them to ride, drives away patronage, establishes a bad name for his company and a worse one for himself.
Conductor Voorhis is a gentleman, in or out of his uniform, and bears such a fair name among commuters and holders of trip tickets, that he is a sign of good cheer, when he enters the doors of his cars. He is one of many Erie Conductors that set an example to his fellows, and didn't miss his calling, when he joined the Erie forces.
Many pleasant stories are told of how Conductor Voorhis handles his passengers, all of which reflect credit on him and hold friends for the Company. He is particularly solicitous for the welfare of women, children and old people, never allowing them to climb aboard his trains, if he is within reach to assist them, and he never orders his trains to start, if he sees a person running to catch them, if they are within a reasonable distance away.
Conductor Voorhis was born at River Edge, N.J., March 31, 1867, and entered the Erie service in September, 1888, as Passenger Trainman. In September, 1891, he was promoted to Freight Conductor. Between March, 1888 and September, 1891, he flagged for Conductors John Tyrrell and George Carpenter on the Way Freight running from Jersey City to Goshen and Pine Island and the Jersey City "Pickup." In March, 1893, he was promoted to Passenger Conductor, Main Line. For the past 19 years he has been running Trains 103 and 118, formerly 105 and 114, between Jersey City and Waldwick, N.J.
About 1904 he served as Trainmaster at Port Jervis and Jersey City for 2 years, later going back to his train.
He is a member of Pavonia Division, No. 490 of Jersey City and for 3 years was Local Chairman of the Committee. His brother, Calvin, is an Engineer on the New Jersey & New York Railroad, running a "Red Spot" Engine, and he has two brothers on the Pennsylvania R.R., one each in the Passenger and Freight service.
