Internet Horology Club 185
Unusual B.of L.E. Fob

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/522108123

July 31, 2010, 22:02
Eugene Buffard
Unusual B.of L.E. Fob
This is a fob I picked up about a year ago. Has any one seen any like it.


July 31, 2010, 22:03
Eugene Buffard
There is nothing on the back of the fob.


August 01, 2010, 10:41
Tom Brown
Eugene

I like the looks of that fob, I know very little about brotherhood fobs, so I can't given an opinion as to how common it was. I do have one similar in shape & style that was from the Civil War & belonged to a Doctor.

Your F.R. Brown might be Frank R. Brown in the 1910 census he is living in Nashville area, he is listed as a railroad engineer. He was born about 1876 in Maine. He is married to a Mary Brown & is living with her parents John & Mary Edwards.

The 1920 census shows the same information & lists him as a locomotive engineer. Still in Nashville.

In 1930 he & Mary have their own house, he is listed as a engineer railway, they have a 22 year old son Everett who is listed as a fireman railroad.

Tom
August 01, 2010, 11:26
Buster Beck
Very nice history and info Tom Smile I feel sure you have him pegged. A lot of the brotherhood fobs and memorabilia from that time period deployed the shield form. Any info on which RR employed Frank Brown Confused Hey, he might be a long lost relative of yours Wink Mr. Brown was a true "old head" engineer, and worked the old steam engines with the beautiful whistles and the fantastic looking tall driver wheels Big Grin

regards,
bb
August 01, 2010, 11:37
Larry Buchan
Division 514 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was called "Jere Baxter Division" and represented locomotive engineers working for the Tennessee Central Railway out of Nashville, Tennessee. This looks like a handmade watch fob, quite intricate, with the front-end engraving of a steam locomotive with the date 1913. The one peculiarity I find with this fob is the marking "LODGE" rather than "DIVISION" the term Lodge was used by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen & Enginemen, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen's organizations. While Division was used by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and the Order of Railway Conductors. I have a similar handmade fob in my collection from Clinton Forge which I will post later.

Larry
August 01, 2010, 21:38
Eugene Buffard
Thank every one so much. I searched for a day and could not find a thing on Frank Brown. Not a bad buy for $35.