Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-07-17
A SELF-MADE MAN.
Brief Sketch Of a Railroad King.


Colonel Thomas A. Scott was
born in London County, Pennsylva-
MIA, less than half a century ago,
and his public career dates from his
boyhood, when he selected the rail
road for his future theatre. The
State of Pennsylvania at that time
built and operated railroads and
canals, and at fifteen he was promo
ted from his active duties on the
road between Philadelphia and Co.
lumbia (which latter place was the
eastern. terminus of the canal ito the
responsible position of collector of
tolls at Columbia. The construction
of the Pennsylvania Central over the
Alleghanies being completed, his
skill as an organizer, his knowledge
of men, by which he won their con-
fidence and hearty cooperation in
his labors, led to his selection as Su-
perintendent of the Western Divi-
sion of the Pennsylvania R. R.
While still youth his continued
success as ruler among men soon
gave him the position of General
Superintendent of the entire line,
and from that hour new duties in
enlarged spheres have been crowd
ed upon him until to-day he presides
over sixty railroad companies, reach
ing south and west from New York
and Philadelphia over $1,000 miles
and employing oyer 10000 operators
of various kinds. His wonderful ad-
ministrative capacity and his liberal
treatment of employees have been
such that he has never had strike
on any of his lines, and probably no
set of men engaged in any work in
the country have so unbounded con-
fidence and respect in their chief as
have the battalions who are proud
to serve under the banners of Col.
Thomas A. Scott. In 1861, when
the storm cloud burst over the coun-
try and the mastering and transpor-
tation of men and supplies became
at Harrisburg an ineXIricable mass
of confusion that arrested the march
ing of men to the front, Col. Scott
was sent for by Governor Curtin, and
seated in the executive chamber, his
marvellous energy and skill sooE
brought order OF chaos and wrought
a change that led President Lincoln
and Secretary Cameron to send for
him, and install him at the War De-
partment as Assistant Secretary of
War, in charge of transportation and
supplies. Soon the telegraphic
wires reached from his desk to every
camp, warehouse and railroad sta
ton: rails went down through the
streets of Washington and Baltimore
and the armed camp in front was Civ
en- the connection with the sources
of supplies that relieved the Admin
istration from a world of care and
trouble, and enable the great War
Secretary to to devote time to i'm
portant matters of State. This led
him, on Col. Scott being summoned
back 10 his railroad duties in Penn
syivania, so long neglected, to write
him the following merited tribute:
"WAsHINGToN,D. c. WAR DEPART
MENT;" June l, 1862.
DEAR SIR.-In taking leave of
you,in consequence of your resigna-
tion of the office of Assistant Sec
retary of War, it is proper for me to
express my entire satisfaction with
the manner in which you have dis
charged your duties during the whole
period of our official relations.
Those duties have been confidential
and responsible, requiring energy,
prudence, and discretion. and it
gives me pleasure to say that to me
you have proved to be in every par
ticular and able and faithful assis-
tant.