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Benjamin (Ben) Hafner (March 24, 1821 – 1899) known as "The Flying Dutchman" and "Uncle Ben," was an American locomotive engineer, who worked for the Erie Railway, and at the end of his life known as the oldest engineer in point of service in the United States.〔''Journal of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers'', Vol. 24 (1890). p. 796〕〔 ''Railway and Locomotive Engineering: A Practical Journal of Motive Power, Rolling Stock and Appliances'', Vol. 9. Angus Sinclair Company, 1896. p. 699〕〔H.R. Romans (eds.) ''(American locomotive engineers: Erie Railway edition, illustrated )'' Crawford-Adsit Co. Publishers, W.H. Welch, Proprietor in Chicago. 1899, p. 304〕 == Biography == Benjamin Hafner, who departed this life in the spring of 1899, was at that time the oldest engineer - in point of service - in the United States. "Uncle Ben," as he was affectionately and familiarly known on the Erie, was born in Baden, Germany, on March 24, 1821, and came to the United States with his parents in 1832. His father was Valentine Hafner, one of Napoleon's soldiers, serving as a first lieutenant, and was in the march to Moscow.〔 Mr. Hafner began railroading as a fireman in 1839, and in 1840 commenced running as engineer on the old slab-rail road between Baltimore and Cumberland, Maryland. He came to the Erie in 1848, and was one of the pioneer engineers running between Piermont and Port Jervis. Later he ran on the Illinois Central, and in 1857 made a business trip to Europe. On his return he re-entered the employ of the Erie and continued in active service until March, 1892, when he quit running, and was given the position of depot master at Port Jervis, in which capacity he acted until his death.〔 He was married February 14, 1858, to Miss Mary Catherine Goetz of Baltimore, and eleven children were born to them, five of whom are living. Mr. Hafner was an honored member of the B. of L. E., and stood high in the esteem of the Erie's officials, while every railroad man on the two divisions had a tender regard for the aged engineer, who was one of the best in his day.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Benjamin Hafner」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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