The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-02-03
DIED OF OVERWoRK.


President Roberts. of tho Pennsylvania
Railroad, Succumbs to an Attack Of
Heart Failure.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 1.-George B.
Roberts, president of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Co., died at 4:30 o'clock Satur-
day afternoon at his home in Bala, a
suburb of this city, from heart failure,
srperinduced by indigestion and ca
tarrh of the stomach. Mr.. Roberts
had had serious organic trouble of
the heart for more than Is years. In
July last Mr.. Roberts went to New
England for short rest, and while
there more serious symptoms were de-
veloped. On his return to his home,
on August 81, his ,affliction had so in
creased that it was necessary for him
to be confined to his room. Since then
he has been gradually failing.
In the death Of George b. Roberts Philadel-
phia loses one OF its foremost citizens and the
Pennsylvania Railroad Co. an official whose
executive ability and practical knowledge has
placed the road Ia the very front Of The rail-
way systems of the world, Mr.. Roberts life
from LoyhOod almost was u history Of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Co. for when he was
not yet out OF his teens he entered the service
of that corporation and by industry, ability
and attention to the thousand and one details
OF railroading advanced fro one position to
another until he reached The presidency Of the
great corporation. Mr. Roberts in character
was plain man and sou HI little distinction
In the so ,Ial world, but devoted all his time to
the interests OF the company with which he
was identified He W " recognized BY railroad
magnates and flnancers as their equal in the
world of business, and MS opinions were
sought and respected and by the ST areholders,
directors and his co-wor ;e.s in The company
he was conceded to be the directing brain Of
the great enterprise.
Mr.. Roberts was born In 1888 on u farm owned
by his fatl er on the outskirts of Philade phia.
TSiS farm Mr.. Roberts retained all his l,fe and
OF late years used it as country residence. He
received professional training In the Poly
technic ms .ilute at Troy, N. Y, and immed-
ately upon graduating entered the service Of
the Pennsylvan a Railroad 60. He began his
career as u rod man in an engineer corps on the
All gheny Summit division and in 1852 when
but ID gearS of age. he had reached the position
! of assistant engineer of the Philadelphia
Erie railroad During the next ten years he
/ WIS ciyely engaged in the ocation Of the va
riois divisions Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
{ o. in this state and New Je soy. In 1872 he
was made assistant Pres dent J. Edgar
/ 4 omSOu H., engineering abilities and eX-
/ ccutive apac, were deveio ed by seven years
in ms position and in lsU9 he was promoted to
| the position Of fourth vice president. Almost
Immediately after he was promoted 10 second
| vice lresGent
! ON lu e :, 1874 when the late Col. Thomas A.
HScotF sucteeded Mr.. Thomson In the prest!
deaCy OF the road, Mr.. Roberts was advanced
to he position of first vice president. In this
position all engineering questions relating to
the construction extension and improvements
! Of the Pennsylvania system we're under his
control and he had general supervision OF the
accounts of the Company through the comp
| troller
On Ju 'e |, 1870, Col Scott resigned the presi-
dency and Mr. Rob brts was chosen for the
head Of the corporation. Since that time Mr..
Roterts mas been reelected annually. and un-
der his management has seen the road grow
! with leaps and bounAs until to-day It's railroad
sys en- is unsurpassed by any railroad in the
| world.