Harvey Springstead

Harvey Springstead. . , Harvey Springstead was arguably the best known locomotive engineer to both passengers and employees of the New York Division of the Erie Railroad. Moving to our town in 1890 he was not only a respected engineer but also a community leader along with his wife Mary. He was known for having one of cleanest and best maintained engines in the US and was rewarded by being one of the first to receive every award that the Erie offered. Based on this performance he was made Foreman of the Road, effectively managing all the engineers in the division. In town he held a number of offices including five years as township committee man, two years as township treasurer and finally elected to the office of special tax collector. His wife was on the school board and they both served as leaders in the Episcopal Church. , To learn more about the fascinating character of Engineer Springstead go to: Edwww.allaboardwaldwick.org , ( timeline ) , 1856 Born to Peter and Emily Springstead of Jersey City, NJ , ~1870 Conductor on Jersey City and Bergen Street car line , 1873 Becomes fireman for Erie at age 17 , 1877 Marries Mary Jackson of Port Jervis who he likely met while working the Goshen way train. Sets up home in Jersey City , 1878 First child is born, Clarence. He will only survive until just before his 6" birthday , 1880 Second son Harry born , 1886 He becomes engineer taking over the train he had been fireman for during the past 13 years. , 1891 Moves to Orvil (now Waldwick) buying 2 lots for $225 at corner of Franklin Turnpike and Lincoln Place , 1895 Elected to Town Committee and serves as Special tax collector, treasurer and chairman before he is forced to resign due to union rules preventing employees form serving in government rolls where the railroad operates. , 1897 Made Foreman of the Engines for the NY division, has responsibility for all engineers in the division , 1904 Assigned new Baldwin G-15 class engine 970. He will operate it for 21 years with only 2 failures and with half as many rebuilds as typical engineers , 1910 Become the first engineer to have his name in gold letters on the side of the engine , 1915 First to be awarded Order of the Red Spot for exceptional efficiency. Number panel background is painted red to make engine stand out. Renewed membership every month. He is on the list for 14 years continuously. , 1917 Mentioned in the newspaper for his extraordinary effort bringing train through blizzard that crippled the NYC area. Harvey was mentioned in several publications over the years including the Saturday Evening Post. , 1922 His wife Mary dies of heart failure at age 66 after 45 years of marriage. , 1923 Marries Hazel Clark a widow half his age with 2 children , 1925 Assigned K1 Class locomotive 2531 , 1929 Retires after 56 years of service and moves to Cory, PA to live near relative. , 1933 Dies in his sleep at 78 shortly after returning ill from his brother's funeral in Jersey City . This historical marker is in Waldwick in Bergen County New Jersey