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Railroad Name on 1918 Draft Registration Card

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 8:31 am
by Atkinson_Railroad
Hand writing on my great grandfather's World War I registration card is not very readable.

Evidently he was a part of the third draft registration that started September 12, 1918
for men ages 18-45.

The last railroad he was employed by as a locomotive engineer was during the Ford era
of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad. Prior to that, oral history has claimed he worked
on the Pere Marquette. The name on the 1918 card is blurry at best. Yet clearly is not the PM.
(Unfortunately, no amount of photo editing improves the poorly scanned attached document .)

One could guess it looks like it says T & TC railway. It could be F&TC but I'm not sure at all.

Someone more familiar with the more obscure railroad lines that existed around the Detroit and Toledo
area 100 years ago may be able to distinguish the roads name.

What railroad name is on the card?

Thank you for your curiosity and assistance.

John

Re: Railroad Name on 1918 Draft Registration Card

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 8:59 am
by cr6903
Sure looks like T&OC to me. The "O" has a little overlap at the top.
Any knowledge if he had worked for the Toledo and Ohio Central at some point?

Re: Railroad Name on 1918 Draft Registration Card

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 10:02 am
by Atkinson_Railroad
Thank you for your reply. I don't have any info that he worked for the Toledo and Ohio Central.

Your "hint" on the hand lettering is very helpful for researching and pursuing further info about that railroad.
Other's may chime in on another guess, but perhaps you've nailed it.

Thank You!

Re: Railroad Name on 1918 Draft Registration Card

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 12:36 pm
by cr6903
Glad to help!

I've looked at a lot of old railroad paper over the years. Definitely has helped in being able to read older handwriting styles.

Let us know what you find.

Re: Railroad Name on 1918 Draft Registration Card

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:19 am
by M.D.Bentley
John, sure does look like T & O C. General consensus among everyone here :) . He may have been a "Boomer" and chased work from town to town. The R.R.B. (Railroad Retirement Board) may have his entire work history. Worth checking into.