BIOGRAPHY: Thomas J. EMERY, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 534-535.

  THOMAS J. EMERY, car inspector for the Pennsylvania railroad, Ryde Station, 
Wayne township, Mifflin county, Pa., was born April 19, 1848, in Bratton 
township, Mifflin county.  He is a son of Perry and Hetty (Kaufman ) Emery.  
Perry Emery was born in Juniata county, of English descent.  He received a 
common school education, and was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company, in the capacity of brakeman on freight trains.  He married Hettie 
Kauffman, born in Berks county, daughter of Joseph Kauffman, a shoemaker of 
Wayne township.  Thomas J. was the only child.  After the death of Perry Emery, 
in Juniata county, his widow was again married to Stephen Kauffman, of Wayne 
township.  She died in Wayne township in 1891.  Perry Emery was a Democrat, but 
took no part in politics.  He was, however, prominent in church matters, being a 
zealous member of the Presbyterian church.
  Thomas J. Emery attended the public schools at the old Wharton school house 
till he was fourteen years of age, when he began to work for the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company, his father being dead and he being obliged to support his 
widowed mother.  He was first an attendant on the Pennsylvania railroad stone-
masons for six months, after which he went into the repair gang of the road, at 
which labor he remained for four years.  At the expiration of this time, he was 
promoted to assistant foreman on Division No. 33.  Four years later, he was 
promoted to foreman on the Lewistown and Sunbury railroad, in which place he 
remained for three years.  He was then, for five years, foreman at Bells Mills, 
on the Bedford County railroad.  From this place he was sent to Manayunk, now 
Ryde Station, to take charge of a floating gang.  After eight months, he went to 
work at cleaning engines at Ryde Station, and continued at this for six years.  
April 28, 1888, he was appointed by John Dietrick, of Mifflin, car inspector at 
Ryde Station, which position he has acceptably filled ever since.  Mr. Emery's 
record, during all these years of service with the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company, has been one of industry, close attention to duty,  and zealous, 
acceptable devotion to the best interests of the company.  Since 1881, thousands 
of cars have passed through his hands, while his service to the company has, on 
all occasions, been intelligently and faithfully given.
  In 1875, Mr. Emery married Hester Mitchell, born in Snyder county, daughter of 
Henry Mitchell, a justice of the peace of Snyder county.  They have five 
children:  Sadie P. (Mrs. A. M. Bratton), of Bratton township;  Thomas F., who 
is still attending school and is a noted hunter;  Blanche;  Ethel;  and Tulula, 
who died in early life.
  When but fourteen years of age, Mr. Emery made an effort to enlist in the 
army, going to Harrisburg to enter the "Bucktail" regiment.  He was not, 
however, tall enough to be accepted and was brought home by his mother.  He is a 
prominent member of Council No. 433 of the Jr. O. U. A. M., being one of its 
past commanders;  he was chairman of the building committee which erected the 
new hall, and is now one of its trustees.  He is also a member of a lodge of the 
I. O. O. F., in Snyder county.  He belonged to the I. O. R. M.;  and to Bratton 
Grange, No. 771, P. of H., in which he passed through all the chairs.  He is 
also a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad Relief Association.  A fine house 
which Mr. Emery had erected was destroyed by fire, in 1870;  but with 
indefatigable energy, he has replaced it with a much better one, having in other 
ways much improved his home.  Mr. Emery is a Democrat, and enthusiastic for 
silver.  He is a consistent member of the United Brethren church.