New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-06
MIR. THOMSON,S CAREER.

Frank Thomson was born in Chambersburg.
Penn, on July 3, 1S41. He was of Scotch de-
scent His great grandfather, Alexander Thom-
son. one Of the first settlers in the Cumberland
Valley emigrated from Greenock with his wife
and twelve children In III. and settled on a
farm near Chambeisburg. which he called Cork
erhill after the name Of his ancestral nome.
Frank Thomsons father. Alexander Thomson.
represented his district in Congress from 1924
TO 1896 was president-judge Of the xVIth Ju-
dicial District of Pennsylvania for many years.
and filled professorshp in the law schooi con-
nected with Marshall College.
Frank Thomsons rudimentary and classical
education was received at the Chambersburg
Academy. but he did not inherit his fathers
taste for the law With the foresight which was
one of the distinguishing characteristics OF his
life he saw In the practical work OF the railroad
an attractive and promising field OF action. and
when seventeen years old he entered the Altoona
shops Of the Pennsylvania Railroad for instruc-
tion A four yea's' course OF training In this
great school OF applied science made him
mechanical engineer who could build locomo-
tive through every stage from the crude iron 10
the finished engine on the rails, while II also
fitted him to operate as engneman the product
of his own skill.
WORK IN THE CIVIL WAR.
II required little time for Colonel Thomas A.
Scott then general superintendent or the ROAD.
to detect in the young engineer eVioehces OK
unusual ability and the outbreak OF the Clv'i
War furnished the opportunity OF testing his
Judgment Colonel Scott had been appointed by
President Lincoln Assistant Secretary or War.
and placed IN charge OF all matters relating To
the transportation Of troops and supplies. and
he called Frank Thomson TO HIS aid as chief
assistant. Mr.. Thomson took the field fmme-
diately, the scene Of his operations being the
South and the upper Southwest, where ne con-
structed railroads and bridges, repaired thoss
which had been damaged by the exsencies OF
war. and directed the transportation OF troops
and the forwarding OF supplies to the front The
signal success Of his efforts In this dangerous
undertaking not only received fitting recogni-
ton from the War Department. but marked him
as q railroad man OF rare promise At tho con-
clusion of active hostilities In this territory hs
was relieved from military duty, and In june
1864. was appointed superintendent OF the East
ern Division OF the Philadelphia and Erie Rail-
road which occupied his time until March. 1919.
After this experience promotion came rapidly.
MANY IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED.
In March, 1873, he made superintendent
Of motive power Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
at Altoona. In this place the vast Information
and Wide experience gained from his course In
the shops were applied TO the work of practical
locomotive construction. and so was laid the
foundation Of the system which has since pro-
duced those celebrated locomotives known a.
the Pennsylvania Railroad standard engine
On July l, 1874. he renquished this post to be-
general manager Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad system east OF Pittsburg and Erie.
As general manager he introduced number
O: reforms in the management, administration
and maintenance OF the road. The standard
track and solid roadbed owe their 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
q superior standard Of equipment. the building
Of picturesque stations and the ornamentation
Of grounds. the use Of the block-signsl system
and other safety appliances all distinctive
features Of his management He was also In
strumsntal In developing that high grade OF