WILLIAM J. HULL, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
The successful career of William J. Hull outlines a course through life that any young engineer would do well to emulate, should he have ambition to reach the top of his calling. Mr. Hull was born April 11, 1832, in Ackworth, New Hampshire, his father, E. T. Hull, being a pioneer farmer of Sullivan County. The young man assisted on the farm and attended the district school until he was 18 years of age, when he secured a position as car driver with a construction crew working on the Sullivan County Railroad. After three months he entered the employ of the Chapman & Belknap Company, as fireman on a steam shovel; seven months later he was promoted to engineer and remained in that place until July, 1850, when he resigned to accept a place as fireman on the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad. His knowledge of engines and machinery won him promotion to engineer one year later, in July, 1851. He ran three years on this road--one year on freight and two on passenger--resigning to go to the Buffalo, Frankfort & Goodridge Railroad. He was with this company but seven months, accepting an offer from the Erie in 1855. He ran freight two years between Susquehanna and Port Jervis, and then was advanced to a passenger run which he held until 1871. His superior ability was then recognized by the company with an appointment as Assistant Engine Dispatcher, and a year later he was given the position of Engine Dispatcher. Mr. Hull's work was once more rewarded in promotion to Road Foreman, a position he held from 1874 to 1882, when on his own request he was allowed to return to regular road work, and after a year running freight between Susquehanna and Deposit he was given a pusher between Susquehanna and Gulf Summit, which he has run ever since. A more popular engineer could not be found if a canvass was made along the entire line, and as a member of Division No. 137, B. of L. E. Mr. Hull has gained great prominence. He was organizer of this division and for thirteen years its chief, and while holding that position organized the Great Bend, Oneinta, Carbondale and Binghamton Divisions. He is also affiliated with Lodge No. 453. K. of P.

On February 14, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Bliss, daughter of Azro Bliss, a bridge carpenter on the St. Lawrence & Atlantic. Five children have been born to them: William F. is a machinist in the Brooklyn Navy Yards; Charles H. is a machinist in the employ of the Erie; Minnie E., married and lives in Chicago: Addie. married and lives in Florence, Colorado, and Emma C., one of Susquehanna's belles, who resides with her parents. Mrs. Hull is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary, B. of L. E., and is prominent in its affairs. Mr. Hull is a property owner and one of Susquehanna's most substantial and reliable citizens.

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

Excerpted from the November 7, 1864 issue of The New York Times:
William Hull of Susquehanna was severely cut and bruised in a derailment of the Buffalo and Dunkirk Express (Conductor Fred Butler) at Callicoon on November 7, 1864. Horace Berrvger, the fireman, was killed, as was a postal official, a soldier, and a machinist from the Port Jervis Erie shop. The train ran through an open switch, causing the accident. It was said that Hull's injuries were so severe, "it is thought, he cannot recover."

From the March, 1906 issue of the Locomotive Engineers' Monthly Journal, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers:
Brother and Mrs. William J. Hull, member of Div. 137, Susquehanna, PA, who organized the Division in 1872 and who was its Chief Engineer for twelve years in succession and delegate to several conventions, celebrated the fifteenth (sic) anniversary of their wedding on February 14 (1906). Their many friends called during the afternoon and evening to join in the festivities of the felicitous event and to extend them congratulations and best wishes.

On the 8th of January last, Brother Hull completed fifty-one years of service on the Erie road, the greater part of which has been on a locomotive.

He began railroading in 1848 as a fireman on the CVRR, promoted to engineer in 1851; took service with the Erie Road (then known as the NY & Erie RR) in 1855; was appointed dispatcher in 1872; road foreman of engines in 1874. In 1882 he resumed running an engine, and has since been in continuous service.

From the August, 1907 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
W.J. Hull, the veteran engineer who was retired from road service under the 70-year rule, has been appointed Station Master ar Susquehanna, PA, the position having been created for him as a reward for long and faithful service. Of recent years Mr. Hull, who is a veteran of the veterans, has been running an engine in the pusher service at the Susquehanna hill.

From the November, 1908 issue of Erie Magazine:
Stationmaster William J. Hull, at Susquehanna, carries a gold watch that is one of his most prized posessions. This was presented to him while in the employ of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railway. Inside the front case there is an inscription that reads: "St. Lawrence & Atlantic RR, William Hull, Engineer. From C.S. Czowski, Chief Engineer, and A.C. Webster, Treasurer." On the rear case is inscribed: "To William Hull, in acknowledgement of his sturdy courage and presence of mind as evidenced in the conduct of an engine on the 26th of January, 1853." Mr. Hull had been an engineer less than two years, when he won the evidence of his skill by averting a bad wreck in the midst of a furious snowstorm, and when the head-on collision that seemed certain, was averted by his cool-headedness and promptness in the emergency.

That phase of his character which won for him recognition from his employer has followed him through all his career, and when he gave up life in the cab on May 3, 1907, he left that active portion of his service with a clean record. Of course, he had had his turn as fireman before he went into the cab in 1851. After three years' work in Canada he came to the States and was an engineer on the Buffalo, Bradford & Pittsburg, running out of Fort Erie. It was but seven months later that he came to the Erie, and since 1855 he has been with this company. After two years in the freight service he was given a passenger run, which he held until 1871. His ability was then recognized by promotion to Assistant Engine Dispatcher, which post he filled for a year, to be then promoted to the post of Engine Dispatcher. In 1874 he was made Road Foreman of Engines, a position he held from 1871 to 1882, when, at his own request, he was allowed to return to road work, taking a pusher on the grade between Susquehanna and Gulf Summit. His last run with the pusher was made May 3, 1907, when his faithful road service of 52 years was ended, he having passed the age limit by several years. As a reward for his faithful service the position of Stationmaster at Susquehanna was created for him, and there he now is, one of the oldest men in continuous service on the Erie.

From the April, 1921 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Wedded Fifty-six Years
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hull of Port Jervis have been wedded fifty-six years. Mr. Hull up to the time of his retirement was employed as engineer on the Delaware Division of the Erie. They are among the oldest married couples in this country, and both are in fairly good health. The happy event was celebrated by visits from friends who extended congratulations and brought gifts of remembrance. Also, a luncheon was served in the evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Hull were married in Canada in 1865, and came to Susquehanna soon after. Mr. Hull, who will be 89 years old this month, served the Erie as engineer for 50 years, and was station agent two years. He survived five attacks of pneumonia, and escaped in two accidents that befell his train, in one of which he was thrown into the Delaware River.