FREDERICK E. BLAKE. Hornellsville, New York
Frederick E. Blake, a popular and efficient engineer of the Erie, was born in Greenwood, Steuben County, New York, on June 30, 1863. He left school at the age of 13, but attended during winter after that, his time being employed during the summer. In the fall of 1887 he secured a position as fireman on the Erie, and for two years and seven months served in that capacity on the Susquehanna Division, running on the Wells-Fargo express part of the time. He was promoted on June 19, 1890, and is now running in the freight service.
Mr. Blake joined the B. of L. E. some three years ago and takes great interest in the affairs of that order. He has been exceedingly fortunate during the nine years he has been running, having no accidents worthy of note, and has never injured any one.
Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.
From the April, 1908 issue of Erie Rairoad Magazine:
Traveling Engineer Fred Blake has been laid up for some days with a badly scalded face and neck, the result of a globe valve bursting on engine 1645, which he was riding on train 77. The accident happened near Binghamton, where Mr. Blake had his wounds dressed, coming to his home here (Hornell, NY) on train 17.
From the January, 1913 issue of Erie Rairoad Magazine:
ERIE ENGINEER COMMENDED.
The following letter was received by Superintendent English of the Erie's Susquehanna Division. It needs no comment or explanation, beyond saying that Mr. Blake is an engineer on the Susquehanna Division and runs train 81. He takes the same pains in running Erie trains as he displayed on the occasion referred to in the letter:
Auburn, N.Y., Jan. 11th, 1913.
To Mr. W.J. English, Superintendent Erie R.R. Co.,
Hornell, N.Y. Dear Sir:
About 1:00 P.M. on January 3d, Mr. F.E. Blake, of Hornell, N.Y., who, I understand, is an engineer in your employ, stopped at Waverly and reported water running over Auburn Division track just east of Smithboro. At that time we had no knowledge of the situation and action was taken immediately in the direction of getting sectionmen on the scene to avoid washout or other unpleasantness.
I cannot find words to express my appreciation of the interest Mr. Blake displayed in taking the action he did, and assure you that it certainly is very highly appreciated, and I trust that you will convey to Mr. Blake my sincere thanks and best wishes for his future health and success.
(Signed) W.W. Abbott, Supt, Lehigh Valley R.R.
From the April, 1915 issue of Erie Rairoad Magazine:
F.E. Blake, Road Foreman of Engines, Susquehanna, resigned to resume his position as engineer.
From the June, 1915 issue of Erie Magazine:
Susquehanna Division Engineer F.E. Blake was commended for running his engine in fast freight service for 29,400 miles between April 9, 1914 and May 5, 1915 without any engine failures.
From the July, 1923 issue of Erie Magazine:
F.E. Blake received a credit mark for bringing train 1001 to Hornell on time, although his engine, No. 2542, had the cylinder packing gone on one side. Fireman E.Q. Jackson also received a credit mark for assisting.
From the January, 1926 issue of Erie Magazine:
F.E. Blake discovered a broken rail near block 206-2, Susquehanna Division, and took prompt action in stopping his train at Great Bend, from which place he made a prompt report.
From the Binghamton Press:
F.E. Blake was killed in a fiery wreck on July 11, 1929. Click Here for details.
The Erie Magazine obituary from September, 1929 follows:
Frederick E. Blake, 66, Erie engineer who was killed in the wreck near Corning, was the fourth member of the Blake family of Hornell to die within the past year, the other members being Mrs. Louise Hastings, Elmira, a niece about a year ago; Mrs. George King, Ogden, Utah, a sister, in November; A.J. Tobey, Elmira, a brother-in-law, in February. Mr. Blake had been an engineer for 39 years and recently was chosen to draw the Erie Limited out of Hornell.
