WILLIAM F. EMERICK, Vallonia, Pennsylvania.
William F. Emerick, son of William H. Emerick, a farmer of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, was born in Meadville, September 7, 1868. On leaving school at the age of 17 he immediately secured a position in the machine shops of the Erie,, where he worked for eighteen months. In June, 1888, he was advanced to fireman, and as he was particularly adapted to the calling he had chosen he progressed so rapidly that in December, 1891, after three years and seven months, he was promoted to engineer. Since that time he has run continuously in the freight service, and is now regarded as one of the best freight men running out of Meadville. He has never sustained any injury whatever, although he was in a collision at Geneva, Pennsylvania, which smashed both engines. Mr. Emerick made his first trip on engine 1219 to Kent and return with through freight.
On May 10, 1890, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Caddahan, daughter of John Caddahan, a machinist in the Erie shops at Meadville. TRey have a charming family of three children: Loretta. aged 8, and Marie, 6, who are attending school, and William C., aged 5 years. Mr. Emerick is a member of B. of L. E., No. 43 and B. of L. F., No. 207, having been receiver for the B. of L. F. for four years. He is one of the prominent citizens of Vallonia, being interested in the welfare of the village and the advancement of its interests. He is foremost in advancing educational matters and has been a member of the school board for some years.
Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.
From the June, 1926 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Several Meadville Division engineers operating over the Second District were cited for having the best record for thousand gross-ton miles per train-hour for April, 1926, including W.F. Emerick with a number of 34.8.
From the July, 1947 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Sympathy is extended to the family of W.F. Emerick, due to his passing.