Stephen Cary was born in Pennsylvania, and after attaining to man’s estate, married Mary Conners, establishing his home in Wayne County, Ohio. His occupation was that of a farmer, and his death occurred on the old homestead. Of his family besides our subject there are four daughters living, these being married and making their homes near the parental homestead. Former generations of the family were of the strict Presbyterian belief.

The subject of this notice was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 29, 1832, passed the days of his boyhood on a farm, and attended the public schools, and afterward entered the Edinburg Academy in Wayne County, Ohio. The first occupation in which he engaged, was that of a teacher, which he prosecuted some three years, after which he turned his attention to that which has been his life work—railroading. Going to Ft. Wayne, Ind., he assisted in laying the first track there, saw the first engine launched, and began breaking on a passenger train on the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne road. After nine months spent at this employment, he took charge of a baggage car, but two weeks later assumed control of a construction train. On leaving that, he took charge of a freight train, and after an experience of two years began the career of a passenger conductor.

In 1871, after seventeen years service for the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne Road, Mr. Cary changed to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, acting as a freight conductor three months, and then running a passenger train from Milwaukee to Berlin. After three years’ service of that nature, he spent two years as “mine host” of an hotel, then returning to the business of a passenger conductor, took service on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois. His next enterprise was to take charge of trains on the Western Indiana Railroad as Depot Master, in Chicago, after which, in 1883, he removed to Peoria, and again took charge of a passenger train, this time on the Peoria & Pekin Union Railroad. For six years he continued his service, then took a leave of absence, visiting Colorado and other places in quest of renewed health. His reputation among railroad men is that of a faithful, efficient, honest man, while among the patrons of the various roads in which he has held service, he became known as a courteous and genial officer.

In 1860 Mr. Cary led to the hymeneal alter Miss Rebecca Casebeer, a native of the Buckeye State, and one of a family of thirteen children. She is a capable, energetic woman, whose home is neat and cheerful, whose children have been carefully instructed, and whose friends are many. Mr. and Mrs. Cary are the parents of three sons: Harry Ellsworth married the only daughter of Judge Brackenridge, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., his home now being in Omaha, Neb.; Edmund is in the real-estate business in Denver, Col.; William H., a young man of eighteen years, is still at home.

Mr. Cary belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and to the Order of Railway Conductors. He and the entire family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are numbered among those who bear a hand in all the good work instituted by that body. Mr. Cary had one brother who was in the Union service during the Civil War.

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