—He went to public school until at age 15  Elijah traveled to Edinburg Scotland for an apprenticeship and for study. After years of study he was certified in Scotland as a mechanical engineer. Even though in Michigan McCoy could only find work as a fireman and oiler at the Michigan Central Railroad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_McCoy
 http://www.railfame.ca/sec_nom/en_nomineesdetail.asp?id=286&ssec=