Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-02-19
FRANK THOMSON, PRESIDENT
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.

PEhNsf LNANlA RAALteOAD.
At meeting Of tine Board Of Directors Of
the Pennsylvan a Railroad, held at the Gen
efal once ia Philadelphia 0 February 3rd,
Frank Thomson, First Vie President, WAS
unauimo isly elected resident.
10 evey ii I'D Of American development
scotch ancestry IS conspicuous. Many great
mon OF the learned professio 2, the factors Of
the business world, and the high officials OF
our commercial and railroad interests look
back with pride TO lineage Of the land of the
tn site and heather family Of this descrip-
lion is that f Thomson. IN ~ Ale ander
Thompson sailed from scotland and set.eld as
a pioneer in the Cumberland valley Among
his children was son, Alexander, who, after
winning distinction NJ the bar OF ais state,
repre- ented his district In Con gress from 1924
to 1896 Returning 10 the practice OF his pro-
lession, he became judge of the Sixteenth
Judicial District, and subsequently professor
Of law in Marshall College.
His son Frank Thompson. was bora in Oh M
bers urg, Pa, July III, islI. His rudimenta-
rs and classical education was received at the
GhamhershurE Academy, but he did not in
herit the paternal taste Of the law. With the
foresight which has been one OF the distln-
gushing characteristics Of his life, he saw in
the practical work Of the railroad an attrac-
tive and promising field ofactioni and at seven
teen years Of age he entered the Altoona Shops
of the Pennsylvania Railroad for Instruction
A four years course Of training in this great
school of applied science graduated him
mechanical engineer, who ould build loco
motive through every stage Of the progress
from the crude iron 10 the finished engine on
the rails whileit also fitted him to operate as
engineman the product of his own skill.
II required little time for Col. Thomas A.
Scott, General Superintendent OF the road, to
detect in the young engineer evidences OF I'M
usual ability, and The outbreak # civil war
furnished the opportunity Of testing his judge
ment.
Colonel Scott had been appointed by Presi-
dent Lincoln Assistant Secretary OF the War
and placed in charge Of matters relating to
the transportation of troops and supplies, and
he called Frank Thompson TO his aid as Chief
Assistant
Mr.. Taomson took the field Immediately, the
scene II his operations being the South and
the upper Southwest, where he constructed
railroads and bridges, repaired those which
had been injured by the exigencies of war, di-
reeted the transportation OF troops and the
forwarding of supplies TO the front. The sig
nal success of his efforts in this dangerous un-
dertaking not only received fitting recognition
from the War Department, but marked bin as
a railroad man Of rare promise. At the conclu-
sion Of active host lities in this territory he
was relieved from military duty, and in June
1864, was appointed superintendent Of the
Eastern Division Of the Philadelphia and Erie
Railroad. which occupied his time until March
1873. After this experience promotion came
rapidly. In March, 1873, he was made super
inter dent Of Motive Power of the Pennsylvania
Railroad at Altoona.
In this position the vast information and
wide experience gained from his course in the
shops was applied to the work of practical
locomotive construction, and 50 was laid the
foundation of the system which has since pro-
duced those celebrated locomotive known as
the Pennsylya 1ia Railroad Standard Engine
On July 1st, 1s74, he reliuquished this post to
become General Manager of the Pennsylvania
Nallroad system east OF Plttsburg a n Erie.
As General Manager he introduced num-
her Of REFORMS in the management, admins
tration, and maintenance of the road. The
standard track and solid roadbed owes its eX-
istence to his efforts, and the system OF track
inspection and the award ofprizes for the best
sections OF track were instituted by him. The
adoption Of a supe riOr standard Of equipment.
the building Of picturesque stations and the
ornamentation OF their grounds, the use Of the
bloek-signal system and other safety appli-
ances, We're all distinctive features OF his man
agement. he was also Instrumental IN develop
ing that high grade of discipline Or which tn e
Pennsylvania Railroad is snoted
second Nice-Presdent, and on ctober 9th,
ISIS, was advanced to the post of irst Vice
President, which he has held up to the present
date. During his ineumbency OF the Nice-Presi'
Dental offices Mr. Thomson was charged with
the traffic arrangements of the system, both in
the freight and passenger branch, and as adj
ministra i've Office of the road aud direct repre-
sentative Of the President was in position to
carry out TO their fullest t-uttlon the progress
sive retQRnls. M n1ch he Instituted as General
ssfHnager. His direct supervision of the traffic
arrangement existing between the Pennsylva
MIA Railroad and its connections kept him in
close touch with all the railway interests of the
country, and so makes him to-day one OF the
| best informed, most experienced, and ablest Of
/ American railroad managers. These qualfica
! lions are universally acknowledge by all hi.
contemporaries OF the railroad wor d.
SIR. Hhomson's duties as the manager of q
great railway require so mueh of his time that
he has never been identified with many othei
public institutions A notable exception, how
ever. is the Equitable Life Insurance Company
| of which he is d direcror.
The social side Of Mr.. Thomson's life is quite
as comprehensive as its business counterpart
tie Is patron of art, literature. and music
and his handsome res denee at "CorkerhiH'
near Merion station, is enriched with many
examples OF artists in painting and sculpture
whose works are as valuable as they are rare
At this mansion. with the assistance of his
daughter. Miss Anne Thomson, he dispenses
quiet but notable hospitality, TO which hi:
| wide acquaintance, both in this country and
abrsard, has contributed the presence Of many
men and women eminent in the higher walks
OF life His famous "cahiu,' located in his
grounds. uniquely decorated with Che spoil,
| of MS chase, is often the scene of quiet enter
tainmen while his finely appointed house is
given over 10 the more elaborate cial func
lions.
Thesecret Of Mr.. Thomson's excellent health
under the heavy strain OF his duties is found ii
his love Of out-ofdoor sport. He is ali ardent
angler hunter of much merit, and generally
selects for his holiday the season when he may
indulge his taste for the fascination of the roo
or gun. Mr. Thomson is a member of the Phila
delphia Club, The Union Club of New York
and other prominent clubs in both cities.
Mr.. thomson is 4 widOweT, his wife, the
daughter of the late Bedjamin G.. Clarke, oil
New York, having died in June, So. Miss
Anne Thomson, the only daughter, promi
nent figure in Philadelphia eiety, and Frank
Yard compose the family.