New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-30
OBITUARY..
LEWIS LYON.

LEWIS LYON
Lewis Lyon, the President OF the Third Avenue
Surface Railroad Company. died from heart disease
at his home, No. $50 Nadis)n-ave.. at O'Clock
yesterday afternoon lie had been i'll FOR some time
and his death was not unexpected. lie had been
under the Of Professor Delaeld and Drs. Meyer
and Hadden Mr.. Lyon has been for the last fifteen
years conspicuous figure among street railroad men,
and in that time has demonstrated his capacity rs a
business man Of great courage tact and ability
lie born in Birmingham, England In 1880 and
came TO this country when young man. lie was
for many years successfully engaged in mercantile
pursuits, and In 1876 first turned his attention TO
railroad matters by becoming largely interested IN
the Thrd-ave. road. HIS energy and ability soon
made themselves felt, and in 1879 he was elected
president Of the road, which office he held up TO
the time Of his death.
One Of his most Important acts during his presidency
Of the road was TO cause the consolidation OF the
Tenthave. and One-hundred- and twenty hthst roaia
with the Third-ave line, thereby giving that cor
poration the control Of about fifteen miles Of double
track steel surface railroad. When Mr.. Lyon tool
charge Of the Thlrdsve road its stock was selling
at 800 or thereabouts. soon afterward the Third
ave elevated railroad was built and result the
stock Of the surface road fell rapidly until it touched
mar Mr. LYON was of a sanguine temperament
however. and he not only held on dogsedB
TO his own stock, but he induced his wife's uncle
Henry Hart the WeknOWn StrectrluWaN UllHondHr
to increase largely his holdings Of the stock with the
result that between them they acquired controlling
interest in the road Since that time the earnings OF
the road have largely increased, and the stock is no"
fully - valuable as it before the elevated railway
was built
Nr. Lyon was the first man to introduce the cable
system Of street railroads this city II was through
his influence that the cable was laid In Tcnthave ano
in one hundred and twenty ffth-st This great i'm
provement in uptown rapid transit was not effected
without strong opposition. 1t was urged that ul'
climate Of New-York was unsuited to cable roads hui
Mr. LYON persisted in his plans until the cable roads
were an accomplished fact, with the result that Iii two
years the earnings Of the road increased $1,000 Mr
LYON also -ecured the right 10 Law the cables in Third
ave although he had to make determined hgh
against the authorities TO this concession ina
work is now approaching completion, but Mr.. LSo'
was not permitted to see his greatest achievement Il
operation.
During the great railroad strkcS Mr. Lyon sho"e'
great nerve and determination. and hnaly compcHe'
the cnpoyes Of the road to recognize the right OIL On
corporatiou 10 run its own affairs one OF the resU
NJ that strike was the organization of the Third Avenue
Raiiroad Empoye, Mutual Benefit ASSOCIATION, D
rbirb Mr. lyon was an hOnOred member at the time
bts death NJ Lvon wa active in NUMB y 81 hebfeV
lfarifie. and was prominent Free Mason re ItdNc'
yr,fe and five daughter tiree Of them, MIS- LeopoN
Kavser Mrs Albert J. Elias and Mrs LeOPoi Na' ~
O'Clock Oh sunday morning at lls houi1' NJ ."
LODI ave