MATTHEW H. SHAY, Youngstown, Ohio
He has the courage of his convictions, and the convictions are those of a thorough Christian; truly this is the highest of eulogy, to attain which a man must sacrifice many worldly pleasures, and few there are who have strength of character to forego pleasures and pursuits their consciences condemn. Matthew H. Shay is one of those who has accepted the Bible as his guide through affairs of life, and the record of his experience proves that the man who places implicit trust in God's promises is never forsaken when help is required. Mr. Shay was born in Watkins, Schuyler County, New York, on June 10. 1843. His father was B. L. Shay, baggage master at Watkins for the Northern Central Railroad, a position he held for forty years. He was a thorough Christian gentleman, a prohibitionist in theory and practice, and was a member of the first Prohibition Convention, held in 1868. He was gifted with eloquence, and fired with zeal for the prohibition cause, became a speaker of national reputation, being sought for far and near to present lectures on that subject. Up to the time of his death in 1879 he had spoken at over two hundred meetings in the state of New York.

The subject of this sketch secured a common school education, leaving his studies in 1849 to accept a position as assistant pilot on Seneca Lake, his duties being to take canal boats through the lake. In February, 1860, he began his railroad career as a fireman on the Buffalo Division, running between Corning and Buffalo, via Avon. In 1863 he was transferred to the Susquehanna Division, where he worked in the same capacity for two years when he was again transferred, this time to the Mahoning Division, where he had charge of the shops as Night Engine Dispatcher from March 10, 1865, to the following December. On the latter date he was promoted to engineer and ran a switch engine in the Youngstown yards two years, when he was transferred to Cleveland, from which city he ran freight to Youngstown for some time. He was then given a helper engine and assisted in pulling heavy trains cut of Cleveland for the next six years. Then came the promotion he had long sought-a passenger run between Cleveland and Youngstown, and for three years he performed this service in the most acceptable manner, winning the thorough confidence of his superiors by the efficient manner in which he handled his engine and the trains assigned him. While he had this run came the trial of his life, and he met it bravely, prepared to sacrifice all in his determination to do what was right in the eyes of God. Born and raised in a Christian family, the seed of Christianity had been sown in his heart, and shortly after he had attained man's estate it blossomed forth and he was converted to God, joining the Methodist Church. For several years after becoming a Christian, his conscience was annoyed by the necessity of having to run his engine on Sunday, but he continued until he heard the Lord speak through the medium of a Christian brother, telling him to give up his Sunday work. Despite the fact that he had worked hard for twenty-four years to attain his position on the road; that he had a wife and children to support and no provision made for the proverbial "rainy day," he faced instant dismissal by going to the General Master Mechanic and told him that God and his conscience forbade him making any more Sunday runs. To the everlasting credit of that General Master Mechanic and the Division Master Mechanic, be it stated that Mr. Shay was not dismissed, and furthermore his religious scruples were respected to the extent that he was given another run where Sunday work was not required. For the past seven years he has run freight between Youngstown and Meadville, and though Mr. Shay receded somewhat in the importance of his run he advanced in the esteem of his fellow engineers, superiors, his conscience and his God.

On January 1, 1863, he was married to Miss Helen S. Marks, daughter of Richard Marks, a prominent farmer of Farmington, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Shay has been singularly blessed in his choice of a helpmeet, Mrs. Shay being a woman of fine religious character and one of the most intellectual workers in the Women's Christian Temperance Union. For the past ten years she has been State Superintendent of the railroad work of that order, and on several occasions has addressed state and national conventions in the interest of the work. While imbued with the spirit of the W. C. T. U. cause and active in its behalf, Mrs. Shay has found much time to devote to city missionary work, and with her husband is prominent in church affairs in the city, both being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. With all her interest in religious and temperance work Mrs. Shay has never neglected her home, and those who have had the pleasure of visiting Mr. and Mrs. Shay at their pleasant home on West Woodlawn Avenue, always recall with feelings of greatest pleasure the hospitality they received. Two children have been born to this worthy couple, both of whom are grown to maturity. Helen D. is the wife of Rev. A. J. Bolton, pastor of the Methodist Church at Chicago Junction, Ohio. Harry J., their only son, aged 26, is married to Miss Daisy Smith of Youngstown, and has charge of the freight department of the National Steel Company in that city.

Mr. Shay became a member of the B. of L. E. in 1867, and helped to organize Lodge No. 167 at Cleveland, Ohio. He also organized and was one of the charter members of Division 329 at Youngstown. From the very start he has been prominent in the affairs of the order, and after serving as Chief of Division 329 for one term, was elected to the General Board of Adjustment and for many years has been its Chairman. He is in every respect a thoroughly capable and efficient engineer, but what pleases him more is that he enjoys the respect and confidence of his superiors and is known from one end of the Erie to the other as a man of his word. As Chairman of the Adjustment Committee Mr. Shay is brought into personal contact with the highest officials of the road, and the fact that he is always successful in effecting amicable adjustments is because he possesses the persuasive eloquence of a diplomat and the straightforward honesty of a Christian gentleman. The Erie management is proud of his example; the employes of the road respect and honor him; would there were more of his stamp in the world.

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

From the May, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:

From the July, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
MATT H. SHAY.
Matthew H. Shay, a retired Erie Railroad Engineer, and one of the most picturesque railroad men in this country, died at his home in Cleveland, O., July 2nd (1915), at the age of 72.

Mr. Shay was the engineer after whom the Erie Railroad named its famous engine, the most powerful in the world and about which more has been printed than any other engine ever built. His splendid record as a man, a Christian and railroad man, was the reason why the honor was conferred on him. He had served the Erie well and faithfully since 1860, when he entered the service as fireman. He was an engineer since 1865 serving on the Buffalo, Susquehanna and Mahoning Divisions.

He had been Grand Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers for 12 years, and ill health caused him to decline further honors at the last annual meeting. The death of this good man has caused sorrow throughout the Erie System.

From the May, 1917 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
It is announced that Adelbert College and the College for Women of Western Reserve University have received from the estate of Matthew H. Shay, veteran Erie Railroad engineer, $2,000 each, the income to be used for two scholarships for assisting worthy students.