JOHN CARTER, Buffalo, New York.
John Carter was born at Kingston, Canada, in 1856, of American parentage. When the subject of this sketch was but six weeks of age, his mother took up her residence at Rochester. It was in that city that young Carter began his school education in 1864; about this time, however, the family removed to East Elba, Genesee County, where the future engineer, with that indomitable energy and thirst for knowledge which has distinguished him throughout life, walked two and a half miles daily, and back again, in order to profit by the advantages offered by the nearest school. In 1866 he sustained a severe loss by the death of his mother, and from that time the boy, only 10 years of age, made his own way in the world, gradually forging ahead in spite of many difficulties which might well have appalled an older head and a stouter heart. His first position was in a woolen mill, where he worked for $9 a month for one summer. His employer, a Mr. Hall, taking notice of the youth's eagerness for an education, secured for him a place with a widow lady, where, in return for his board, he "did the chores," with the express stipulation that he was to be allowed to attend school. The next summer he returned to his former employer, but at higher wages, for so well had he spent his time heretofore that he had learned from some girls at the mills the art of weaving, so that, when his employer offered him the same salary as formerly, $9 per month, he demanded and received $12. From this time on, he alternated between working in the summer months and attending school in the winter, until he had qualified himself for admittance to Alexander Seminary, where he attended for three terms, supporting himself in the meantime by working on a farm for J. B. Ellis. While so employed young Carter got a chance to work at nights, as watchman on a steam shovel; he was not slow in taking advantage of this opportunity for double employment, and held it until the fall of 1872, when he was made fireman on the shovel; this position he held, on and off, for five years, when he left it to fire an engine for his father-in-law, W. E. Davison, running between Buffalo and Hornellsville, at which he was engaged for eighteen months, leaving it to fire on extra passenger engine No. 11, William Goodenough, engineer. Six months later he went on with engineer George Smith, passenger engine No. 483, out of Hornellsville. On January 18, 1883, Mr. Carter was promoted to the position of engineer, taking charge of a steam shovel, which he ran at Sparkill, Attica, Bloods, Cooper's Plains, Addison, and other places, notable among them being the great cut at Hornellsville.
In the meantime Mr. Carter had been married, at Hornellsville, to Miss Ellen Louise Davison, daughter of his first engineer. Their union has been blessed with two children, both boys, the eldest of whom, William Chester Carter, has graduated from the Buffalo High School, and is now holding the position of clerk in the Wagner Palace Car Company. The younger, John Charles Carter, is still attending school in Buffalo.
Mr. Carter, like so many other of our well-known engineers, is a staunch supporter of the doctrines of the Brotherhood, having become an ardent disciple in the year 1884, since when he has used his influence for the good of the order on many occasions. Mr. Carter, in his home life, is surrounded by many luxuries not to be found in the homes of many a wealthier man, chief among them being a library which bears out the trend of his childhood days, when he persisted in obtaining his education under difficulties which might have disheartened many others. His chief hobby in this direction is history, and upon his shelves may be found authorities and biographies which show the earnest mind of the man.
Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.
From the September, 1921 issue of Erie Magazine:
John Carter, mainline engineer, running between Buffalo and Hornell on trains 482 and 477, is honored by having his name placed on engine 2521.
From the October, 1922 issue of Erie Magazine:
Engineer John Carter, employed by the Erie during the past 40 years, was injured on the New York Central. He is up and around and will soon be back to work.
From the November, 1922 issue of Erie Magazine:
John Carter is steadily gaining strength after his accident in the NYC RR derailment, and expects to be able to resume duty very shortly.
From the May, 1925 issue of Erie Magazine:
On March 8 last (1925), two Buffalo Division employees in the Mechanical Department performed meritorious service. Train 477, while near Canaseraga, and running westward at about 25 to 30 miles per hour, passed an Allegany Division freight train eastbound. Fireman G.A. Anderson, who was looking out, noticed the engine crew on the Allegany engine suddenly become excited, and at the same time he noticed dust flying under the Allegany train a short distance away.
He shouted to Engineer John Carter and followed it up by immediately going to the engineer's side and closed the throttle, while he and engineer Carter jointly applied the emergency brake, with the result that the passenger train came to a stop but a few car lengths away from several derailed freight cars which blocked the eastbound main track.
Their quick action undoubtedly prevented a serious accident. Engineer Carter and Fireman Anderson have each been thanked and given a credit mark.
The service record of Engineer John Carter follows:
Date of birth: May 6, 1856; entered service, Dec. 23, 1878 as fireman; promoted to engineer Jan. 18, 1883.
Engineer Carter is a member of the Order of the Red Spot, and has his name inscribed in bold letters on the cab of his engine, No. 2524, one of the big fellows of the Class K-1 type.
Following is the service record of Fieman G.A. Anderson:
Date of birth: Jan. 23, 1894; entered service, Nov. 10, 1915 as fireman; promoted to extra engineer Dec. 26, 1922.
From the August, 1928 issue of Erie Magazine:
John Carter, the only engineer to drive a locomotive into the Buffalo yards with the name of the engineer on it, has retired after 55 years of service with the Erie. A red plate on the front of the cab, number 2521, shows Mr. Carter to be a member of the Order of the Red Spot, an honor for record runs and general efficiency.
Mr. Carter, who joined the Erie in 1873, has been running between Hornell and Buffalo. He has left the company with regret and has gone to his home in Williamsville for quite and rest.
From the Buffalo Evening News, Monday, June 27, 1928:
Engineer is Honored at End of Last Run - John Carter Completed 55 Years of Service With Erie Railroad Yesterday
The shrill whistle of a locomotive announced the arrival of the 2 P.M. train from Hornell at the Erie station, Sunday afternoon, five minutes ahead of schedule, with Engineer John Carter, 72, of 57 Rinewalt street, Williamsville, at the throttle, who completed his last trip for the Erie railroad, yesterday, after 55 years of service with the company.
"I started working for the Erie in 1873," declared the veteran trainman, after he had climbed out of the cab and stood inspecting the locomotive he had driven for the last ten years. "My mother died when I was a boy of 11 years and I left home to make my way in the world. I worked my way through Alexander Seminary which was near the farm on which I spent my earlier days and later attended Attica Normal School.
Started As Watchman
"My first job with the Erie was as a watchman and engine wiper. Following those days I was promoted to a steam shovel which covered all lines in western New York. In 1878 I was made a fireman and during January of 1883 I was made a full-fledged locomotive engineer, in which capacity I have acted ever since. During the summer moments I have operated steam shovels for the railroad on every division on the Erie system.
"The trains nowadays don't travel a great deal faster than they did 25 years ago, but they run more often and give a great deal better service.
"Yes, I am sorry to leave the railroad and particularly my old engine which I considered one of my family," said the aged engineer, as he gazed almost affectionally upon his charge, which he was abandoning. His own name, "John Carter" has been initialed on the side of his cab in recognition of of his efficiency by railroad officials.
Received High Honor
Mr. Carter proudly boasted that he was the only engineer who drove an engine into Buffalo railroad yards with the name of the engineer pun it. A red plate on the front of the cab numbered 2521 shows Mr. Carter to be a member of the Order of the Red Spot, a high honor for record runs and general worthiness in railroad circles.
"During my career I have a various times been commissioned by the International Railway Company to help put lines through different parts of Western New York," continued Mr. Carter. "One of the most difficult jobs I ever accomplished for them was the trolley between Lockport and Olcott Beach.
"In 1893 during the switchmen's strike I was bringing a way freight into Buffalo. The strikers had blocked up all entrances to local stations and after a conference with one of the strike leaders, I was given permission to drive my cab to Lancaster and came into Buffalo on the east side with 90 freight cars and in this way cleared trackage into the city considerably."
Mr. Carter had nothing but high praise for the younger generation and declared there was "nothing wrong with 'em." He said he attributed his success in railroading to regular hours of rest and eating plenty of good food.
From the January, 1929 issue of Erie Magazine:
John Carter, 72, who has been retired after 50 years of service on the Erie, and Mrs. Carter, who was Miss Ellen Louise Davison, daughter of his first engineer, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary at their home, 57 Rinewalt St., Williamsville, NY. Mrs. Carter's father, W.E. Davison, entered the Erie service in 1859, which has allied her with the Erie for 69 years.
Mr. Carter, who is a member of the Order of the Red Spot and had the distinction of having his name placed on his engine, 2521, fired his first engine on the Erie between Buffalo and Hornell, then Hornellsville, for his father-in-law in 1878. Later he fired with engineer William Goodenough and George Smith.
In 1883 Mr. Carter was promoted to engineer and placed in charge of a steam shovel which he operated at Sparkill, Attica, Bloods, Cooper's Plains, Addison, and the big cut at Hornellsville.
The Carters have two sons, William Chester Carter, accountant for the Matzger Construction Corporation, and John Charles Carter, assistant general sales manager, Buffalo, General Electric Company.
A small photo of Mr. and Mrs. Carter was also published.
From the April, 1942 issue of Erie Magazine:
John Carter, 86, retired engineer, died Feb. 26 (1942) in Williamsville, NY, where he lived at 57 Rinewalt St. He had been in Erie service more than 50 years. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Div. 15, and the Erie Railroad Veterans Association. Surviving are his widow, Louise, and a son, William.