THOMAS WILLIAM SYMONS
SYMONS, THOMAS WILLIAM, lieutenant-colonel in the corps of engineers of the United States army, is now, 1906, stationed in Washington, District of Columbia, and is in charge of public buildings and grounds, including the White House, is military aide to President Roosevelt, and is in general charge of all the large social and official functions at the White House. Before coming to Washington in 1903, he had designed and built at Buffalo, New York, the largest breakwater in the world. He has been consulting engineer for the United States government and for states, cities and corporations, notably as a member of the advisory board on the policy of New York state regarding its canals, 1898-99; consulting engineer on canal work and high lift locks, in New York, 1899-1900; member of the advisory board of consulting engineers by appointment of the governor of New York and special authority of congress, 1904; and member of the Electric Canal Towage commission of New York.
He was born at Keesville, New York, February 7, 1849. His father was a merchant, devoted to his family and his work. His mother was a woman who exercised the best influence over her son. Not very strong in childhood he was strengthened, no doubt, by such tasks as usually fall to a boy's share in a small town. "Farm and garden work, sawing wood and other manual labor he performed, with the effect of rendering him unafraid of work." He studied in the common schools in Flint, Michigan, and was for one year in the State Agricultural college at Lansing, Michigan. In 1874, he was graduated from the United States military academy at West Point, New York. From 1874 to 1876, he pursued a post-graduate course at the Torpedo school at Willetts Point, New York, now Fort Totten. He began the active work of his life as second lieutenant in the corps of engineers, United States army, and has since that time performed continuously all the duties of an officer in that corps, up to his present rank. Since 1874 he has been in charge of civil and military engineering works in Washington, District of Columbia, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Montana and on the Great Lakes and their
