The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-06-10
PRESIDENT CASSA7T.
Pennsylvania Railroad Director
Succeeds Frank Thomson.
A RAILRoADER FROM BoYHooD.

He Was First Vice President os the
Rond Under Mr.. Roberts, and Re-
signed I'm 1889, But was Induced to
Return TO the Directorate.
Philadelphia, June 10.-At a special
meeting of the board of directors of
the Pennsylvania railroad yesterday
afternoon A. j. Cassatt. of this city,
was elected president to succeed the
late Frank Thomson. James McCrea,
of Pittsburg, first vice president of the
Pennsylvania company, was chosen a
member of the board of directors to
fill the vacancy created by Mr.. Cas-
salts election to the presidency
Mr.. Cassatt's elevation to the presi-
deney of the great corporation with
which he has been connected for so
many years caused surprise In rail
road and financial circles, as It had
been generally anticipated that First
Vice President Green or one of the
other vice presidents would secure the
honor. The board of directors, how
ever, were unanimously of the opinion
that the emergency caused by the sud
den death of Mr.. Thomson could best
be met by Mr.. Cassatt, and that gentle
man, after some hesitation, concluded
to accept the responsibility. Like Mr..
Thomson, Mr.. Cassatt has been con-
nected with the company since his
boyhood, and has a thorough knowl-
edge of the road, its resources and bus
mess. In 1882 he resigned as first vice
president of the company, but was sub
sequently induced TO become direo-
tor, and since then he has taken q
most active interest In the affairs of
the company, occupying, in fact, the
| position of managing director, or
| power behind the throne" 1t Is no
disparagement of Mr.. Thomson's abil-
| ity or power to say that Mr. Cassatt's
authority in the management of the
road was equal to that of the late pres
| ident. Mr. Cassatt Is perhaps the best
known railroad man in the country,
and he will undoubtedly be leader In
trunk line councils,
Alexander Johnson Cassatt was born
in Plttsburs, Dec 8, 1889, His father,
Robert 8. Cassatt, was for number Of
years closely identified with the fnan-
cial and industrial interests of western
Pennsylvania, and was the first mayor
of Allegheny City A. ]. Cassatt re-
ceived his primary education In the
schools of Pittsburg, took liberal
course in the famous University OF
Heidelberg, and in 1859 graduated as
a civil engineer from the Rensselaer,
Polytechnic college, at Troy, N. Y. In
1861 he settled in Philadelphia and was
appointed a rodman on the Philadel-
phia division of the Pennsylvania rail
road Two years later he was made ar
assistant engineer, and In 1854, when
the Pennsylvania railroad assumed
control of the Philadelphia and Erie
road, Mr.. Cassatt was transferred tc
Remove, Pa, and appointed resident
engineer of the middle division. Later
he was appointed manager In charge
of the Warren and Franklin railroad, {
branch road in the oil regions, and af
terward was made assistant genera
superintendent of the Philadelphia anC
Erie railroad. In 1865 Mr.. Cassatt wa
transferred to Williamsport, with thu
title Of superintendent of motive powe
and machinery of the Philadelphia ant
Erie, and again in 1857 he was appoint
ed to the like position on the Pennsyl
vania railroad, with headquarters a
Altoona. In 1870 he was made gen
eral superintendent, and in 1871, whel
the Pennsylvania road leased the Uni
ted railroads of New Jersey, he wa
appointed general manager Of all tn
Pennsylvania lines. In 1874 Mr.. Cas-
sat was advanced to the position o
third vice president, which Office h
held until 1880, when, upon the retire
ment of President Scott and the ao
cession to the presidency Of Mr.. Rob
erts, he became first vice president
In September, 1882, he resigned hi
high Office and retired to private life
but a few years later he was induce
to accept a seat in the directory of tn
company.