Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1897-02-17
Frank Thompson. pres. RI. n.

A.eXdn0er, VINO, dIUer WluuluR OlHuuc
ton at the bar Of his state represented
his district in Congress from 1924 to
1926. Returning to the practice of his
profession, be became Judge OF the Six
teenth Judicial District, and subsequently
professor Of law in Marshal College.
! His son, Frank Thompson, was born
in Chambersburg, Pa, July 5th 1841.
His rudimentary and classical education
was received at the Chambersburg Acad-
eny, but he did inherit the paternal
taste for the law. With the foresight
which has been one of the distin-
gushing characteristics of his life, he
saw in practical work OF the railroad an
attracting and promising field of action,
and at seventeen years ofage he entered
the Altoona Shops Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad for instruction. A four years
course of>trainiDg in his great school oil
applied science graduated him mechani-
| cal engineer, who could build locomo-
tive through every stage of progress,
| from the crude iron to the flushed engine
| on the rails, while it also fitted him to
operate as eDgineman the product of his
own skill.
| 1t required little time for Col. ThOs. A.
Scott, General Superintendent of the
road, to detect in the young engineerevi-
dences of UNUSUAL ability, aud the out
break OF civil war furnished the oppor-
tunity of testing his judgment.
| Colonel Scott had been appointed by
President Lincoln Assistant Secretary of
War, and placed in charge of all matters
| relating to the transportation of troops
and supplies, and he called Frank Thom-
son to his aid as Chief Assistant.
Mr.. Thomson took the field immedi-
ately, the scene of 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, directed
| the transportation of troops and the
forwarding of supplies to thetront. The
signal success of his efforts in this dang
erous undertaking not only received fit
ting recognition from the War Depart
ment, but marked him as railroad man
of rare promise. At the conclusion of
active hostilities in this territory, he
was relieved from military duty, aud in
June, 1864, was appointed Superintend-
ent of the Eastern Division of the Phila-
delphia and Erie Railroad, which occu-
pied his time until March, 1878. After
this experience promotion came rap
idly. In March, 1873, he was made
Superintendent of Motive Power of the
Pennsylvania Railroad at Altoona.
La this position the vast information
aud wide experience gained from his
course in the shops was applied to the
work of practical locomotive construc-
ton and so was laid the foundation of
the system which has since produc
those celebrated locomotives known as
the Pennsylvania Railroad Standard
Engine" On July LIST, 1874, he relin-
quished this post to become General
Manager OF the Pennsylvania Railroad
system east of Pittsburg and Erie.
AS General Manager he introduced a
number of reforms in the management,
administration, and maintenance of the
road The standard track and solid
roadbed owes it's existence to his efforts,
and the system OF track inspection and
the award of prizes for the best sections
of track were instituted by him. The
adoption of a superior standard otcquip-
ment, the building of picturesque stat
ions and the ornamentation of their
grounds, the use of the block-signal
system and other safety appliances, were
all distinctive fea lures of his manage
ment. He was also instrumental in de-
velop ng that high grade of discipline for
which he Pennsylvania Railroad isl noted.
On October LIST 1882, Mr.. Thomson he
came second Vice-President, and on Oc-
tober 9th, 1888, was advanced to the
post OF First Vice President, which he
has held up to the present date. During
his incumbency OF the Vice Presidential
offices Mr.. Thomson was charged with
the traffic arrangements of the System
both in the freight aud passenger branch
and as administrative officer of the road
and direct representative of the Presi-
dent~was in position to carry out to
their fullest fruition the progressive re-
forms which be instituted as General
Manager. His direct supervision of the
traffic arrangements existing between
the Pennsylvania Railroad and its con-
nections 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
qualifications are universally acknow-
lodged by all his contemporaries OF the
railroad world.
Mr.. Thomson's duties as the manager
Of a great railway require SO much of
his time that he has never been idnetified
with many other public institutions. A
notable exct ption, however, is the Equi-
table Life Insurance Company, of which
he is director.
The social side of Mr. Thomson s life is
quite as comprehensive as its business
counterpart. He is a patron of art,
literature, and music, and his handsome
residence at "Corkerhill," near Merton
Station. is enriched with many examp-
les 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 Anna
Thomson, he despenses q quiet but not
able hospitality, to which his wide ac-
guaintauce, both in this country and
abroad, his contributed the presence of
many men and women eminent in the
higher walks of life. Hisfamous scabin"
located in his grounds, uniquely de-
corated with the spoils of the chase, is
often the scene Of quiet entertainment,
while his finely appointed house is given
over to the more elaborate social func-
tions.
The secret of Mr.. Thomson's excellent
health under the heavy strain of his du-
ties ia found in bis love of out-ofdoor
sport. He is an ardent angler, q hunter
OF much merit, and generally selects for
his holiday the season when he may in
dulge his taste for the fascination of the
rod or gun. Mr., Thomson is member
Of the Philadelphia Club, the Uaion Club
of New York, and other prominent clubs
in both cities.
Mr.. Thomson is a widower, his wife.
the daughter Of the late Benjamin G.
Clarke, Of New York, having died in June,
1887. Miss Annie Thomson, the only
daughter, i prominent figure in Phila-
deiphla society, and Frank G. and Clarke
Thomson. both students at Harvard,
compose the family.