The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-08-01
MAN OF EXPERIENCE.
Short Biographical Sketch Of Lieut. Thos.
A. Roberts. New Superintendent.

A. Roberts. New Superintendent.
To-day the A. v. R'y becomes a part
Of the great Pennsylvania railroad sys-
TEN and the Low Grade Division Is
added 10 the Middle Division Of the
Philadelphia g. Erie railroad, with
Lieut.. Thomas A. Roberts, of Remove,
as superintendent Of same. II is but
natural that our people would want 10
know something about the man who
Will be superintendent Of this branch Of
the railroad, and from the Elmira Daily
Gazette Of May 4, 1900, we clip the fol-
lowing biographical sketch:
"The birth Of this widely-known rail-
road man occurred IN the city Of Phila-
delphia on the Goth day Of June, 1871.
He received thorough training In the
public schools of that city and entered
the service Of the city survey depart
ment Of Philadelphia in the year 1853.
In 1861 he was commissioned as second
lieutenant Of Company B, Fifty-third
Pennsylvania volunteers, at that time
commanded by Colonel John II. Brooke,
now major general Of the United States
army. Mr.. Roberts experienced con-
siderable service but at the end Of eight
months was obliged to resign on account
Of Ill health. During the year 1864 he
made his entry into railroad service In
the capacity Of a rodman on the construc-
tion Of what was then known as the
Pan Handle railroad, a line constructed
between Pittshurs and Ateubenville,
Ohio, From 1864 to 1880 he was an
assistant engineer In the engineering
department Of the Pennsylvania rail-
! road. In 1880 he was promoted TO the
position Of division superintendent Of
the Pennsylvania system and has since
so served. In 1883 Mr.. Roberts was
transferred FROM the superintepdency
Of the Bedford division Of the Pcnnsyl.
! vania Railroad company TO take charge
Of the division known az the middle
division Of the Philadelphia Il Erie
railroad extending between Remove and
Kane; this position also involves the
superintendency Of the extensive rail-
road shops at Remove, as well as Of
three different branches OF the middle
division. The middle division from
Remove to Kane Is IOI miles long.
The branch from Heating to Kar-
thus is twenty-five miles; from Ridg-
way TO Falls Creek is twenty-seven
miles: and the branch from Johnson
to Clermont covers twenty miles. The
shops at Remove employ an average Of
100 men and those on the division foot
up as many more, making total Of
about 1900 men under Mr.. Roberts
supervision. Mr.. Roberts ia 1890 was
elected school director at Remove and
at once became president Of the school
board. He has since continuously filled
the position, and from the first has
taken very active part in the advance
ment of the cause of education. BY those
intimately acquainted with his SER
vices in that direction, IL is stated that
he is one Of the best qualified men in
the state, outside OF the teachers pro-
school affairs. Mr.. Roberts belongs to
the Episcopal church. where for num-
Der OF years he has served as treasurer.
He belongs to the Engineers club OF
Philadelphia. United Service club OF
the same city, and TO the Masonic fra
ternty. A wife and six children con-
stitute his family. Mr.. Roberts has
been the architect Of his own fortunes
and has gradually and steadily risen to
an honorable and influential position in
railroad circles. He is gentleman Of
careful Judgment and is an executive
officer OF great tact and ability. Under
his watchful scrutiny the important in
terests Of the great Pennsylvania sys-
TEN, on the middle division and at
Remove, receive the closest attention,
on the part of the large force Of men
under his supervision.