The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-08-20
ale Sntflliatnfer,
The Career Of the Late william Thaw, Of
Pittsburgh.

"
The Career Of the Late william ThaW, Q
PlttsbuFgh.
Mr.. William Thaw, the we'll know
business man and philanthroplst Q
Pittsburgh, died in Paris Saturday, AM
the news has caused universal mourning
in his home city,
William Thaw was born in Pittsburgh
on October 70, 1878, Of parents who Set
tied there in 1904. His father, Joht
Thaw, came from Philadelphia to accep
the position Of Teller Of the Bank o
Pennsylvania, which was established Ii
Pittsburgh In 1901, The son William
was educated at the Western Univer
sity. His first occupation was that o
clerk in the United States Bank in 1884
In 1885 he engaged IN the forwarding and
commission business as clerk for Mckee,
Clarke & Go. In 1910 in connection
with Thomas S, Clarke he formed the
firm OF Clarke & Thaw, canal and steam,
boat owners and transporters, and re,
NAMED In this business until 1855,
When the Pennsylvania railroad was
opened up Mr., Thaw disposed Of his In
terests and became interested in rail-
reading, In 1855 he Joined his partner,
Thomas s. Clarke, who had the year pre-
Ylous undertaken the conduct OF the
freight traffic ofsthe Pennsylvania rail.
road to and from all points west Of Pitts
burgh. In 1866 the Pennsylvania rail,
road devised the first organization for
supplying through cars, both to avoid
transfer and to supply equipment 10 the
new and poor roads west of Pittsburgh.
OF this undertaking, known as the Star
Union Line, Mr.. Thaw had charge until
1878,
Mr.. Thaw's next step In the railroad
business was taken in connection with
the Pennsylvania Company. Mr., Thaw,
In addition to being a director in the
Pennsylvania Railroad, was second Vice
President Of the Pennsylvania Company
and was also Second Vice President Of
the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati 4 81, Louis
Railroad, managed by the Pennsylvania
Company,
Besides being interested in numerous
charitable institutions Mr.. Thaw has
given literally to educational institu-
tions, such as Hanover, 0berlin, Wooster
University, Geneva, Carroll WISCONSIN,,
the college at MaryYille, Tenn, the
Western Theological Seminary and
Others. He was d member OF the Third
Presbyterian Church for many years.
He was also a Director In the Allegheny
Cemetery and the Allegheny 0bserva-
tory.
Mr.. Thaw was married twice, each
union being blessed with three sous and
two daughters. Ten children survive
him, William Thaw, it,, aud Benjamin
are connected with The Hecla coke
works; Alexander Blair is a physician
practiCing in New York State; Henry
Clay, Edward and Josiah are young men
still at school. His daughters are Mrs.
George B. Edwards, Mrs. w. r. Thomp-
son, wife o. the banker, and Mrs. Mar
garet and Alice Thaw.
While Mr.. Thaw was sometimes vic.
timized by imposters seeking aid, his
charity was usually dispensed in a sys.
tematic manner. Mr.. Frank semple,
who was his legal adviser, states that be-
fore his patron was taken Ill the latter
showed him q list OF over l,400 names OF
persons to whom lie had given aid within
the pasttwo years, each Of whom he o
sidered worthy OF the bounty, He en-
ployed two or three Clergymen who
acted as almoners in tho distribution Of
his money, A great many struggling
young men and women owe their educa-
ton to him. He furnished tho means
OF musical and artistical training TO
many deserving students.