Maj. Erie S. Hosford, agent for the Illinois Central Railroad at Jackson, Tenn., was born in Crawford County, Ohio, August 28, 1834, and is the son of Asa and Alta (Kent) Hosford, natives, respectively, of New York and Pennsylvania. Erie S. Hosford was reared to manhood and educated in his native State. At the age of seventeen he engaged in the railroad business in Ohio, and in December, 1852, came south. In 1853 he accepted the position of civil engineer with the Mobile & Ohio Railway, and served the company in this capacity and as passenger conductor and master of transportation until December, 1865, when he was made division superintendent of the road. He served the company faithfully and efficiently until July 1, 1886. In November, 1886, he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad, at Jackson. In 1859 he married Lucy E. Scales, a native of Tennessee. They have four children living: Walter S., Erie S., Nat. S. and Asa S. Maj. Hosford is and always has been a Democrat in polities; he is a Mason, Knights Templar degree, and is one of the promineut citizens of Jackson.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee