The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-29
OBITUARY.
j. Edgar Thomson, President OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad.

Pennsylvania Railroad.
The death of Mr.. J. Edgar Thomson occurred on
Wednesday evening in Philadelphia The deceased
gentleman had been sick for several weeks dur
ing which time his death was expected
to occur at any moment HIS diseases
were several and 50 complicated that from the first
period OF his sickness little hope had that he
could be saved from death. His lungs were at first
affected, and nom them disease spread through
out his system. Though he suffered greatly
throughout his sickness, he passed away without
giving evidence having pain at the moment OF
dissolution.
Mr.. Thomson was born in Delaware county,
Pennsylvania, IN 1903. His father, John Thorn
son, was q civil engineer and man OF intense
energy and foresight He was interested in many
improvements in the means OF travel throughout
Pennsylvania, and he projected several enter
prses towards the close OF the last century that
evnce the fact that he had forecast in his mind the
future need OF increased ways for our commerce
At one time John Thomson was associated with
the celebrated engineer Benjamin ii. Latrobe. In
whose company he laid out canal between the
Delaware and Chesapeake bays. This enterprise
fell through for lack OF MEANS want OF faith
In the need for sucn canal 1t is also note
worthy iact that he foresaw the necessity for
water communication between the Atlantic
and the lakes, such as is had
through the Erie Canal He believed that
many of the natural water ways OF this State
could be utilized Tor this purpose and in 1893 he
made q iatiguing and somewhat perllous voyage
in small schooner IRON Erie, Pa, through this
state TO this city, having his vessel several times
transported over land.
Mr.. j. Edgar Thomson inherited the enterpris
Ing spirit and foresight that characterized mis-
father, and, like him, he was educated TO become
He began his professional career in 1927 on the
Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, now portion
OF The main line oil the Pennsylvania Railroad. IN
Railroad, the eastern portion OF which was put
under his direction. Alter this service and some
minor engagements he visited Europe to in
spect the railways and canals Of the Old World.
Soon after his return from Europe he accepted
an appointment as Chief Engineer OF the Georgia
Railroad, extending from Augusta to Atlanta,
with branch to Athens. This work he COM
1t was CONNECTED. He was appointed General
Manager OF the business of the line, and remained
in that capacity until he was called to the position
OF Chief Engineer OF the Pennsylvania Railroad in
1S47.
friends, purchased the Montgomery and West
Point Railroad, of Alabama, which had fallen into
bankruptcy and after Its completion, under his d.
rectlOn as consulting engineer. 1t became very
profitable enterprise. He also during that period
laid out the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad
the North, upon the route laid out by him.
After he had entered upon his duties as Chief
Engineer Of the Pennsylvania Railroad IN lS47 ne
was offered large Inducements to return to the
South and assume charge OF the Charleston and
that region, but having become SO deeply inter-
ested as an engineer In the location and construc-
Harrisburg and PittSburg, he declined these nat-
In 1852, while absent in the West. he was nomi-
mated and elected to the position OF President OF
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, position to
which he was regularly reelected every succeed
ing year, having thus been kept at the head OF this
great corporation during consecutive period OF
twenty-five years.
had not consented to become a candidate tor it;
but, while both his interests and inclinatt0ns
such that he could NOT refuse to assume the heavy
responsibility thus thrust upon him. When he en-
dollar in the treasury, and when he vacated it at
the call OF death It's resources were practically I'M
limited.
present enormous extension OF the business OF the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Mr.. Thomson, as its presl-
deserving OF credit. After the consolidation OF the
several lines between Pittsburg and Chicago he
was elected director OF the consolidated company
The line from Pittsburg to Fort Wayne was then
in operation and some progress made beyond that
from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company this line
was extended to the town Of Plymouth, from
by way Of Laporte, by the use Of portion Of the
Michigan southern Railroad. This arrangement,
e s0 "a n On m mas
! renewed efforts were made TO complete the whole
road. Alter session ofnearIy two weeks to devise
graphed to the Board to aid in directing what
| was to be done under the circumstances. Upon
ne and list Of assets Tie avail
able for its completion. he informed the Board that
would take these assets and build the remain
ing eighty-two miles: They at once accepted
marketable value than he anticipated he was com.
PEELED 70 use his private credit to accomplish this
o ne ad asse 10 the
enable him to better fill the object OF his appoint
ment as CHIEF Engineer they also elected
Of the noances Of the COMPANY, upon
the original position he held in the company before
It's emDarrassments: A lew years ago the com
Wayne and Chicago Railroad, was leased to the
! Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and mas since
the Pennsylvania Company, which Is controlled BY
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company by the owner
Mr.. Thomson projected, after struggling against
! many adverse circumstances, the means that have
enabled the pennsylvania Railroad at first to COM
pete with the parallel lines to the West and finally
to pass beyond them in amount OF business. II
was mainly through his endeavors that the
the Pennsy wanna Company. was secured to It.
This system now includes the, direct line from
line to Cincinnati, BY way Of columbus; the line
from Columbus to Louisville; a line from ST.
Loganspors, TO Chicago; the line lrom Pittsburg
to Cleveland, ana the line from Pittspurg to Erie.
Al these roads, combined with the main line
aggregate total OF about 1900 miles, fully
equipped and in successful operation.
Having secured direct control OF such an enOr
nous Western system, 1t became necessary for the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company to obtain an
| Eastern outlet that would not be subject to en-
barrassment through an independent management
or the intrgues Of rival trunk lines. Alter much
negotiation and tedious litigation, this desirable OBJ
ject was finally accomplished by the lease for 999
years OF the United Railroads OF New Jersey includ-
ing the Old Camden and AmbOy Railroad, portion OF
/ Will CHI was originally located by Mr.. Thomson, and
all the branches and roads IN the state which were
under its control. This arrangement went into
operation the LIST oil December, 1871.
! Mr.. Thomson, besides the Pennsylvania Rail-
road was interested In numerous other railway
enterprises. Among these are the Texas and
California Railroad Company, which is to follow
the thirty-second parallel; the Atlantic and Pacific
director, in August last, and whose line Is to cross
the Continent IN the neighb0rhood OF the thirty
! lial tno and no