Members reach 100-year milestone

This issue marks the return of the Centenarian Salute. Whenever a BLE member reaches 100 years of age, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer's International Division is notified in writing by the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. In the past several months, there have been two BLE members who celebrated 100th birthdays. The BLE also saw the passing of a member who was over 100 years old.

Leslie W. Knowles is a member of BLE Division 790 (Chicago). He was born on August 14, 1901 and has been a BLE member for nearly 73 consecutive years, joining BLE Division 790 on April 2, 1929. He worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad.

Congratulations can be sent to Brother Knowles at: 23 Hilltop Dr., Bourbonnais, Ill. 60914-1011.

Brother Harold A. Finney joined BLE Division 850 (Flat Rock, Mich.) on August 7, 1964. He was born on August 24, 1901. He made his last run on August 1, 1978 on the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad.

Congratulations can be sent to Brother Finney at: 414 First Ave., Waverly, Ohio 45690.

Brother Edward F. Small, who was 102, passed away on September 1, 2001 in Cheyenne, Wyo. He was profiled in the Winter 1999 Locomotive Engineers Journal after an appearance on the "Today Show" with Willard Scott.

Small, a member of BLE Division 103 (Cheyenne, Wyo.), was born on August 27, 1899 in Laramie, Wyo. He graduated from high school in 1918 and later went back to attend the University of Wyoming. He married Helen Martin in 1925, and has two children, Martin J. Small and Joann M. McConnaughey.

Brother Small went firing on November 21, 1917 for the Union Pacific Railroad and was promoted to engineer in 1923. He became a BLE member in 1938. Small made his last run on August 19, 1969.

Condolences may be sent to: Joann McConnaughey, 367 Arbor Lane, Cheyenne, Wyo. 82009.

Back to Winter 2001 Journal

© 2001 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers