The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-10
PRESIDENT CASSA7T.
Pennsylvania Railroad Director
Succeeds Frank Thomson.
A RAILRoADER FROM BoYHooD.
He Was First Vice President OF the
Road Under Mr.. Roberts, and Re-
signed In 1852, But Was Induced to
Return to the Directorate,

nOhu OHuor Mr. hODorCS, ana IS6-
signed In 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. ]. Cassatt, of this city,
was elected president to succeed tho
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-
dency Of the great corporation with
which he has been connected for so
many years caused surprise in rail-
road and financial circles, as 1t 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 hrst vice
president of the company, but was SUBJ
seQuently induced to become a dirsc-
tor, and since then he has taken a
most active interest in the affairs Of
tho company, occupying, in fact, the
position of managing director, or
power behind the throne" It Ia no
disparasement 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 q leader In
trunk line councils.
Alexander Johnson Cassatt was born
In Pittsburg, Dec. 8, 1899. His father,
Robert 8. Cassatt, was for number Of
years closely identified with the 6nan-
cial and industrial interests of western
Pennsylvania, and was the first mayor
Of Allegheny City. A. J. Cassatt re-
ceived his primary education In the
schools of Pittsburg, took a liberal
course in the famous University Of
Heidelberg, and in 1859 graduated as
civil engineer from the Rensselaer,
Polytechnic college. at Troy, N. Y. In
1851 he settled in Philadelphia and was
appointed a rodman on the Philadsl-
phia division of the Pennsylvania rail-
road. Two years later he was made an
assistant engineer, and in 1884, when
the Pennsylvania railroad assumed
control of the Philadelphia and Erie
road, Mr.. Cassatt was transferred to
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 general
OF the Philadelphia and
Erie railroad In 1866 Mr. Cassatt was
transferred to Williamsport, with the
title Of superintendent Of motive power
and machinery of the Philadelphia and
Erie, and again in 1867 he was appoint
ed to the like position on the Pennsyl-
vania railroad, with headquarters at
Altoona. In 1870 he was made gen.
eral superintendent, and In 1871, when
the Pennsylvania road leased the Uni
ted railroads of New Jersey, he was
appointed general manager of all the
Pennsylvania lines. In 1874 Mr.. Cas-
sat was advanced to the position of
third vice president, which Office he
held until 1880, when, upon the retire.
ment of President Scott and the ac-
cession to the presidency of Mr.. Rob-
erts, he became first vice president.
In September, 1882. he resigned his
high Office and retired to private life,
but few years later he was induced
to accept a seat in the directory Of the