The New International Encyclopædia/Scott, Thomas Alexander

SCOTT, Thomas Alexander (1824-81). An American railroad manager, born at Loudon, Pa. Entering the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1851, he was rapidly promoted, and in 1859 became vice-president. In 1801 he was appointed by President Lincoln Assistant Secretary of War,in which capacity he rendered invaluable services by reorganizing the entire system of transportation. Returning to the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, he inaugurated the policy of securing control of Western railway lines for operation in connection with the Pennsylvania system. He was president at different times of various railroad lines, and from 1874 until a short time before his death was president of the Pennsylvania Railroad.