RICHARD J. ESSON, Huntington, Indiana.
Richard J. Esson is another of the Erie's efficient engineers who donned the blue for service in the nation's army during the War of the Rebellion. He was born near the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, on April 8, 1843. His father was James Esson, a taxidermist, and Mr. Esson attended school in his home town until he was 13 years of age, when he entered into the active affairs of life, learning the carpenter and machinist trades. In 1862, when he was 19 years of age, he enlisted in Company L of the 50th New York Pontoons, and was detailed to the bridge department under Colonel D. C. McCullom of the United States Construction Corps. He served for three years and received an honorable discharge. During that time he was in some of the most perilous places of the service. The building of pontoon bridges was nearly always done under a heavy fire from the enemy, and it will be readily seen that the position was one of extreme danger. Mr. Esson was one of the corps who built the bridge across Bull Run, and was there during the second Bull Run fight when the bridge was burned.

He began his railroad career as a fireman on the Erie in 1870, and after firing freight four years and passenger four years, his high standard of work was rewarded by a promotion to engineer. He ran on the old Erie's road between Jersey City and Port Jervis for six years, and then was transferred to the western end of the road. During the World's Fair he ran extra passenger, but for the past few years he has been on the fast freight service between Huntington and Chicago. He has received his due meed of praise from the officials of the road for efficient service and capable work.

He was married on September 19, 1870, to Miss Mary L. Garrison, daughter of Elia Garrison, a carpenter in the Cooks' Locomotive Works at Paterson, New Jersey. Four children have been born to them, of whom Richard E., aged 28, is an expert machinist and millwright and in the employ of the "Big Four" Railroad; Katie died at the age of 7; Mamie G., 23 years of age, is a graduate of Huntington High Schools, and Lizzie, aged 18, who is at home. Mr. Esson is a member of B. of L. E., Division No. 221, and Knights of Honor, Lodge 1009, of Port Jervis. He has a pleasant home at 75 Oak Street, Huntington, and is a prominent citizen of that city.

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

From the June 11, 1878 issue of The New York Times:
Middletown, NY, June 10 -- An Erie coal train going east this evening struck a cow at Otterkill station, just east of Goshen. The engine, No. 481, left the track. The engineer, Edward Thornton, was instantly killed. He was 37 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children at Port Jervis. Thirteen cars were wrecked, and both tracks were blocked for two hours. Richard Essen, a fireman, was slightly hurt.

R.J. ESSON
Suspended five days from Sept. 2nd for running off switch at Leiters, Train 82 of August 28th, 1890. Was not approaching the switch with sufficient caution.

SOURCE: P. 185, Chicago & Erie Railroad Employment Summary Book, ledger book covering @ 1880-1905. Donated to this site courtesy of Nick Pappas. Transcription by Jim Sponholz (c) 2007.

From the Wednesday, Feb. 3rd, 1901 issue of the Rochester, IN Sentinel:
In the wreck on the Erie near Wren, early Monday morning, the fireman, Chas. Finney, was the only man killed. The wreck was caused by the breaking of an axle on the engine. Engineer Esson remained with his engine and was uninjured. The fireman jumped and was instantly killed. He was a cousin to Mrs. M. R. Heimmiller of this place. Mr. Heimmiller was at Huntington where the fireman had been taken Monday night.

From the March, 1908 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Richard Esson, a former Erie engineer, died at Lonecliff Sanitarium at Logansport, IN in February (1908). The death of Mr. Esson brings to mind his long term of service with the C&E, which terminated some six or eight years ago, and which was marked with a number of events of a thrilling character incidental to life on the rail. Mr. Esson's funeral took place from his home in Huntington, in charge of the B of LE, of which he was a member.