John Cronenwett

From the December, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Erie Engineers Running day and night;
In again and out again, Ever on the flight.
Engineers of the Erie Numbering twenty-five
Galion's faithful few In this toilsome strife.
Never shirking, ever working, Ever on the run,
Reason for this invite is to Stop and have some fun.
Come to the home of John Cronenwett next Monday noon to be cheered and refreshed by the country crowd.
Yours truly,
"Cronie."

The above unique and neat invitation brought to the John Cronenwett home, four and one half miles east of Galion, 0., October 19th (1914), one of the happiest crowds of merry makers that ever went out for a day's pleasure. The start was made from the Public Square promptly at nine o'clock, the bulk of the crowd going on a large hay rigging wagon, while C.F. Shauck and M.A. Ricksecker drove out in their cars. Mike found the way very nicely, while Shauck got lost in the Buckhorn valley.

Receiving a message here that Shauck and his party were lost a party of newspapermen, composed of W.V. Goshorn, R.W. Noyer, Burr Modie, with their staff photographer, C. Burr Marsh, set out at once in search of the lost party. Their search was quickly rewarded for they were soon found in the vicinity of Lexington and piloted back to the scene of the festivities.

After all the guests had finally reached their destination the time to eat was announced and all were served with a bounteous country dinner, fried chicken, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie being some of the head liners on the bill of fare.

Every guest present paid a high compliment to the cooks by partaking very freely of the abundance of good things to eat and it is safe to say that none had ever partaken of a good meal with greater relish. This splendid feature of the day's pleasure was prepared by Mrs. Cronenwett, assisted by her mother, Mrs. J.M. Tucker, Mrs. W.G. Richards and Mrs. Mollie Barnum.

One of the best jokes of the day was pulled off on Harry Mackey and he did it himself, much to his own chagrin, but to the great merriment of the rest of the crowd. When dinner was ready the bell was rung and what do you think Harry did? Did he go in for dinner? No indeed, he grabbed a bucket and ran and filled it with water to help put out the fire. You see Harry used to be a member of the old Galion Volunteer Fire Department. But his valiant service there did not save him for he was late for dinner and had to wait for the second table.

After dinner games and general jollity were engaged in and the engineers present had a group picture taken by Photographer Marsh. James Hill then gave a very interesting descriptive talk on his recent visit in the West. M.A. Ricksecker proposed three cheers for the host and hostess and the boys fairly made the welkin ring with their lusty response.

All too soon the sun seemed sinking behind the western horizon and the good-byes were said, the journey homeward begun after each and every one had voted Mr. and Mrs. Cronenwett most royal entertainers.

The wagon on which the party was transported to and from the scene of the day's enjoyment had placards on both sides in large flaming letters of red "Erie Engineers who Did Not Move to Marion."

Those present to enjoy the many pleasantries of the day were Engineers John Russell, John Dice, John Haley, John Sweeney, John Lovett, John Streby, Wm. Green, Harry Mackey, B.M. Miller, W.G. Richards, Fred Heck, Jerry Wemple, Al. Green, Fred Row, August Gerhart, James Hill, D.G. Bryfogle, C.F. Shauck, Wesley Swabb, William Smith, Isaac Huffman and M.A. Ricksecker.

Other guests present were Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Tucker, Mrs. Mollie Barnum, Mrs. W.G. Richards and son, Willie, C. Burr Marsh, Burr Modie, W.V. Goshorn, R.W. Noyer and Wm. Snyder, the latter being the engineer of the Mallard compound that pulled the guests to and from the city.

C.A. Allen, the grand old man of the Erie, for whom the boys all have a warm spot in their hearts was unable to be present and sent a letter of regret. Other Erie engineers who still reside in Galion but who were unable to be relieved from duty, that they might attend are J.M. Murphy, Sam Jones, W.R. Shade, Wilbur Teets, Peter Alexander, James Freer, Lewis L. Huffmon, William Mornson, H.0. Smith, F.P. Motzinger, Charles Allen, Budd Mosier, Burt White, Ed. Hogan, Pat. McNeff, Herman Sapp, Charles Henkel and R.B. Ackerman.

John Cronenwett is called "Honest John" among his railroad friends, which is seconded by the inclusion of every railroad man of his acquaintance, as well as every citizen in our community. His work is characterized both on duty, as an employee and socially as a citizen, by all that honesty, integrity and veracity implies, literally. He is absolutely dependable under all circumstances and conditions, which is attested by Mr. C.A. Allen, who for many years was his superintendent.

From the January, 1915 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Cincinnati Division engineer John H. Cronenwett was commended for running his engine in passenger service for 30,671 miles between October 1, 1913 and September 1, 1914 without any engine failures.

From the October, 1923 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Conductor Daniel Sweeney and Engineer John Henry Cronenwett, who handled President Harding's funeral train and the Coolidge special, snapped beside locomotive No. 2920 preperatory to departing from Marion, OH with train No. 8, their regular assignment, eastbound over the Kent Division. Both these men were commended for the services they rendered in transporting the late President's remains to Marion. While in transit President Coolidge requested that Conductor Sweeney be presented to him, and took the occasion to congratulate him on the fine handling his train had received while passing over Erie rails. Mr. Sweeney was born September 14, 1856; employed as brakeman February 8, 1879, and promoted to conductor on January 12, 1881. Engineer Cronenwett was born August 22, 1858; employed as fireman December 5, 1883, and promoted to engineer on October 17, 1887. Both men have served the Erie Railroad very creditably.

From the February, 1924 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
A record performance for the Chicago Region was established when a special train was operated from Hammond, IN to Kent, OH, a distance of 361 miles, in 6 hours, 56 minutes, at an average speed of 53.3 miles per hour. The total delays sustained on this run amounted to 23 minutes, which, if excluded, make the average speed for the distance 55.5 miles per hour.

The reason for this special movement was to overtake Erie train No. 4 to accommodate a party of business men arriving in Chicago from a western line 2 hours 46 minutes after the departure of the Erie train. It was necessary, therefore, to make an exceptional effort, or run special a greater distance, the latter course being undesireable.

The train, consisting of three cars, with engine 2562, Engineer John Brumbaugh (Born Sept. 14, 1864, employed as fieman Aug. 17, 1888, promoted to engineer Jan. 25, 1896) and Conductor W.T. Drake, passed through Hammond at 2:20 p.m., stopped for water at Rochester, IN, went through Huntington without a stop, took water at Ohio City, and arrived at Marion 6:56 p.m. (Central time), a distance of 248 miles for the crew and engine, at an average speed of 54.3 miles per hour, including stops, or, exclusive of them, 57.1 miles per hour.

This is the first train that ever went through Huntington, en route from Hammond to Marion, without stopping. In the past efforts have been made, but it remained for Engineer Brumbaugh, the yard force and dispatchers at Huntington to establish this record. The passengers commented on the fact that there was not a rough start or stop enroute; that a steady speed was maintained upgrade and down, and that at no time were speed restrictions violated, the performance being accomplished by maintaining a steady, even speed and reducing to the very lowest minimum unnecessary stops. It was noticed that there was no black smoke, the steam pressure was maintained, and in every way the performance was one of which the entire crew might well be proud.

At Marion, the Kent Division forces took charge of the train and did equally as well. Engineer John Cronenwett (Born August 22, 1858, employed as fireman Dec. 5, 1883, promoted to engineer Oct. 17, 1887), with engine 2547, and Conductor M. Mason made the run from Marion to Kent in 2 hours 17 minutes, a distance of 114 miles, at an average speed of 50.0 miles per hour. An effort was made for a non-stop run, and this would have been accomplished had not a train of another railroad interefered with the movement on joint track at Akron Union Depot, making it necessary to stop four minutes. No water stop was made on the Division and none due to Divisional operating interference over a distance of 114 miles. While this is a good distance to run for water on any low-grade division, it is an exceptional performance when one takes into consideration the fact that the Kent Division is a succession of grades, and brings out very clearly the perfect handling by Engineer Cronenwett.

As on the Marion Division, the run was made without violating any speed restrictions and only goes to prove how needless fast running is when a steady, even speed is maintained and stops eliminated.

To accomplish these results required the cooperation of not only the men operating the train, but all other employees on the divisions. The dispatchers, other train crews, switch tenders, crossing watchmen, and all others were required to cooperate. It is quite evident that these things do not "just happen." They are the result of careful training and supervision in the everyday conduct of affairs. Such a performance shows the results of the efforts put forth by trainmasters, road foremen and others, who possibly, at times, do not perceive the results being attained. It proves that when all unite to make a division one where such things can be performed a spirit of harmony and unity must prevail, and goes to show the spirit that has brought the Erie Railroad up to the position of prominence in its operation which it occupies today. These results cannot be obtained with poor roadbed, power or equipment.

From the April, 1926 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Passing of Honest John Cronenwett
Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud? Like a swift flying meteor, a fast flying cloud,
A dash of the lightning, a break of the wave. He passeth from life to his rest in the grave.

'Tis the wink of an eye; 'tis the draught of a breath
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death,
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud;
Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud? �William Knox.

We cherish the memory of John H. Cronenwett, for nearly forty years an engineer on the Kent division of the Erie Railroad. There is scarcely a person within the range of his acquaintance who will not feel his loss and think of him as the man who always stood for those things which he believed were just and right. He was a man -� a faithful husband, loving father, a good friend and a courageous citizen.

"Honest John is dead." Those four words take but little time to say. But for those who have known and loved him long they spell long years of grief. Many are the men who departed this life leaving behind them little to mark their passing. But Honest John was not one of these. In him were embodied the great principles -� charity, justice, brotherly love, fidelity.

In him was that indomitable heart that from its first to its last beat knew not fear, knew always steadfastness and intense loyalty. It is particularly of his years of service with the Erie Railroad to which our thoughts turn at this moment, for it was in the close bonds of that great organization we came to know him best.

Of the details of that service the record stands imperishable in the annals of the company's archives. Step by step he rose until he commanded the full confidence of all who were fortunate to make his acquaintance.

With such a comrade, such a friend, I fain would walk till journey's end;
How many say these words with me, With tender love and sympathy?
With tender love your life entwined
'Round countless hearts you've left behind.

�John C. Ryan, telegraph operator, Galion, Ohio.

JOHN H. CRONENWETT
John H. Cronenwett died at the Good Samaritan hospital, Galion, 0., March 5, 1926 of peritonitis, resulting from an operation for appendicitis.

Mr. Cronenwett was born in Morrow county, Ohio, August 22, 1858, and in 1879 came to Galion, where he entered the service of the Erie in the shops. On Dec. 5, 1883, he became a fireman and Oct. 17, 1887, was promoted to engineer, in which capacity he was employed at the time of his death.

He is survived by his widow, one daughter, three grandchildren, one brother and three sisters.

From the June, 1926 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine: