Chenango Union, Norwich, N,Y., Thursday, June 13, 1929
Ends Service of 57 Years
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George L. Geer of Walton, O. & W.
Conductor, Oldest Employee
With One Exception
Conductor George L. Geer has retired after fifty-seven years of active service on the Ontario and Western railroad. Mr. Geer made his last run on the Delhi branch Saturday, June 1. At the time of his retirement he was the oldest employee of the Ontario & Western in point of length of service, with one exception.
When a youngster Mr. Geer, who is now 72 years of age, drove a team on the old Chenango canal between Utica and Binghamton and in 1871 started work in the railroad restaurant in Norwich. The following year he was given job with the railroad as brakeman and in 1876 was promoted to baggageman under Conductor N. R. Hankins. On April 2, 1877, he was made conductor of the first milk train north of Bloomingburg. Geer held a run on trains 5 and 6, the old night line, but in the past few years has been on the Delhi branch.
Recently Conductor Geer was called to the railroad offices in Middletown in conference with J. H. Nuelle and was informed that he had reached the age when he was eligible to retirement the company would be glad to show its appreciation of his long and faithful service by placing his name on the pension list, providing company earnings permit the continuance of the present pension policy. Conductor Geer has accepted the offer.
He plans to make Walton his home and old friends will find him at the garage of his son-in-law, Charles LaFrano, where he will be glad to supply their wants or renewed acquaintances.
Conductor Geer’s long period of service has been a notable one. He believes that every employee of the railroad, both those in the passenger and freight service, should make courtesy to patrons of the railroad a cardinal virtue. The creation of good feeling between company officials and the railroad workers. Mr. Geer believes that if every worker will speak a good word for the railroad when the opportunity offers it cannot but help. The railroad is essential to the communities along its line and its property is closely intertwined with theirs.
Conductor E. R. Johnston, who has long been on the long milk, is taking Mr. Geer’s place on the Delhi branch. Another railroad employee to retire on pension is John Stothard, formerly car inspector in the Walton yards. Mr. Stothard has been with the railroad nearly thirty years. His health has not been of the best in recent months and he retires to take a well earned rest. - Walton Reporter.
