T. J. COLLIGAN, Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
It is a sincere pleasure for a man to follow a calling that he truly likes; for to such a man there is something more in his day's toil than simply the money he is earning, and serene contentment marks his journey through life. It is with pleasure we chronicle that T. J. Colligan was one of that class of men. He started on his railroad career as soon as he was strong enough to fire an engine, and has climbed to an honored place among the Erie's engineers.

Mr. Colligan was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1871, and is the son of Edward Colligan, for a number of years car inspector on the Erie at this point. Mr. Colligan began as a caller of engine crews soon after he left school, and was promoted to fireman in 1887. He served five and a half years on freight and six months on passenger, and then, being in line for promotion, he was examined by Superintendent George Van Keuren and promoted with high honors to engineer. Since that time, 1893, he has been running freight on the Jefferson Division, and is uniformly liked by all with whom he comes in contact.

On July 26, 1894, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Rettich, daughter of Anthony Rettich, who resides in Carbondale and for years has been a watchman on the Delaware Canal. They have three pretty children, Frank, aged 6; Paul, 2; and Mary; who are the joy and pride of a very happy home. Mr. Colligan is affiliated with Keystone Lodge, No. 208, B. of L. E., and is a strong supporter of the principles of that order.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.