The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-02-17
FRANK THOMSON, PRESIDENT
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.

General Office in Philadelphia on Febru.
ary Sd, Flank Thomson, First Vice Presi-
| dent was unanimously elected President.
every field Of American development
Scotch ancestry is conspicuous. Many
great men OF the learned professions, the
factors Of The business world, and the
high officials Of our commercial ard rail
road interests look back with pride to a
lineage of the land Of the thistle and
heather, A family Of this description is
that Of Thomson. In 177l Alexander
as pioneer in the Cumberland Valley.
Among his children was son, Altxan-
der, who, after winning distinction at the
bar OF his State, repres' uted his district
in Congress from 1894 to 1926. Return
ing to The practice OF his profession, he
became judge Of the Sixteenth Judicial
District, aud subsequently, professor Of
law In Marshall College.
His son, Frank Thomson, was born 10
Chambetsbnrg, Pa, July 9th, 1871. His
ruGimentary and classical education was
received at the ChHmbersbarg Academy,
but he did not inherit the paterna taste
for the law. With the foresight which
has been one OF the Distinguishing charac.
terstlcs of his life, he saw in the pracli-
cal work OF the railroad an attractive and
promising field OF action. and ut seventeen
years OF nge he entered the Altoona Shops
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad for instruc
ton. A four years course of training 10
this great school of applied science grad
uated him a mechanical engineer, who
could build locomotive through every
stage of the progress, from the crude iron
to the finished 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. Thes. A.
Scott, General Superintendent OF the road,
To detect in the young engineer evidences
OF unusual ability, and the outbreak Of
civil war furnished the opportunity Of
testing his judgment.
Colonel Scott had been appointed by
President Lincoln Assistant Secretary of
War, and placed in charge OF all matters
relating 10 the transportation OF troops
and supplies, and he called Frank Thorn
son to his aid as Chief Assistant
Mr.. Thomson took the field immediate
ly, the scene of bis operations being the
South and the upper Southwest, where be
constructed railroads and bridges, repair
ed those which had been injured by the
exigencies of war, directed the transpor
tation OF troops and the forwarding of
supplies to the front. The signal success
Of his Efforts in this dangerous undertak.
In
from the War Department, but marked
him as a railroad man of rare promise.
AT the conclusion of active hostlitcs in
this territory he was relieved from mill
tary duty, and in June, 1864, was ap
pointed Superintendent Of the Eastern Di-
vision Of the Philadelphia and Erie Rail
road, which occupied his time until
March, 1873. After this experience pro-
motion came rapidly In March, 1873, he
was made Superintendent of Motive Pow
er OF the Pennsylvania Railroad at Al
toona.
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, aud so
was laid the foundation OF the system
which has since produced those celebrat-
ed locomotives known as the "Peunsyl-
vania Railroad Standard Engine On
July lst, 1874, he relinanished this post
to become General Manager of the Penn
sylvania Railroad system east of Pitts
burg and Erie.
AS General Manager he introduced n
number OF reforms In the management,
administration, aud maintenance OF the
road. The standard track aud solid road
bed owes its existence TO his efforts, aud
tho system of track inspection and the
award Of prizes for the best sections of
track were instituted by him, The adop.
lion OF "A superior standard OF equipment,
the building OF picturesque stations aud
the oTnamentutiou of their grounds, the
use of the block signal system aud other
safety appliances, were all distinctive fea-
lures of his management. He was also
Instrumental in developing that high grade
OF discipline for which the Pennsylvania
Railroad is noted.
On October LIST, 1882, Mr. Thompson
hecame Second Vice President, and on
October 9th, 1883, was advanced to the
post of First Wee President, which hi
has held up TO the present date. During
his incumbeucy of the Vice Presidential
offices MIR. 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 President
was In position to carry cut to their
fullest ttuition the progressive reforms
winch he instituted ms General Manager.
His direct supervision OF the traffic ar
engagements existing between the Penn
sylvunia Railroad and its connections
kept him In close touch with all the rail
way interests OF the country, and So
makes him TO day one of the best inform
ed, most experienced, and ablest of
American railroad managers. These quail
iflcstions are universally acknowledged
by all his contemporaries OF the railroad
world.
Mr. Thnmson's duties as the manager
of II great railway rtqnirc 80 much Of hi
time that he has never been identified with
many other public institutions. A nota
BILE exception, however, is the Equitable
Life Insurance Company, of which he is
director.
The social side OF Mr.. Thomson's life is
quite as comprehensive Ms its business
counterpart lie is a patron Of art, liter.
ature aud music, and his handsome resi-
deuce at "Corkcrhill, near Merton Sta
ton. is enriched with many examples of
artists in painting aud sculpture, whose
works are as valuable as they are rare
A, til mansion, with the assistance OF
his daughter, Miss Anne Thomson. hi
dispenses quiet but notable hospitality,
to which his wide acquaintance, both in
this country and abroad, has contributed
the presence of many men aud women
eminent in the higher walks of life. His
famous "cabin." located il his grounds,
uniquely decorated with the spoils Of the
chase, is often the scene OF quiet enter
tainment, while his finely appointed house
Ia given over to the more elaborate social