Alexander Cassatt

Infobox Person
name = Alexander J. Cassatt


caption = Alexander Cassatt somewhere between 1890-1900
birth_date = birth date|1839|12|8|mf=y
birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
death_date = death date and age|1906|12|28|1839|12|8|mf=y
death_place =
relatives=Mary Cassatt, sister

Alexander J. Cassatt (December 8 1839 – December 28 1906) [cite web
last =Bingaman
first =J.R.
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Brief History and Reminiscence of One of Pennsylvania Railroad's Presidents
work =
publisher =Altoona Tribune
date =1916-12-15
url =http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/blair/bios/cassatt-alex.txt
format =
doi =
accessdate =2007-07-20 ] [cite news| url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B06E2DA1430E132A2575BC1A9609C94689ED7CF| format=PDF| title=Alexander J. Cassatt| work=New York Times| date=1899-06-18| accessdate=2008-06-30| ] was the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad from June 9, 1899 to December 28, 1906. Frequently referred to as A.J. Cassatt, his best-remembered accomplishment under his stewardship was the planning and beginning of the project to finally give the PRR a station in New York City, which became Pennsylvania Station. Unfortunately, Cassatt died before his grand station was complete.

Cassatt more than doubled the PRR's total assets during his term, from US$276 million to US$594 million (an increase of 115 percent). Track and equipment investment increased by 146 percent. The route from New York through Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Altoona to Pittsburgh was made double-tracked throughout; to Washington, DC, four-tracked - Pennsy's "Broad Way". Many other lines were double-tracked; almost every part of the system was improved. New freight cutoffs avoided stations; grade crossings were eliminated, flyovers were built to streamline common paths through junctions, terminals were redesigned, and much more. Cassatt initiated the Pennsy's program of electrification which led to the road being the United States' most electrified system.

Birth

He was born on December 8 1839 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [At least one reference uses the year 1838] His sister was the painter Mary Cassatt.

Chesterbrook Farm

A. J. Cassatt was a horse enthusiast and fox hunter who owned Chesterbrook Farm in Berwyn, Pennsylvania where he bred Thoroughbred racehorses. The convert|600|acre|km2|sing=on property is today the site of a subdivision with office buildings and homes using the Chesterbrook Farm name. The original main barn designed by Philadelphia architect Frank Furness has been maintained and restored. Cassatt's racing stable owned the 1886 Preakness Stakes winner, The Bard and the 1889 Belmont Stakes 1889 winner Eric. As well, he was the breeder of Montague, the 1890 Preakness winner and Foxford who won the 1891 Belmont.

In addition to flat racing his Thoroughbreds, in 1895 A. J. Cassatt helped found the National Steeplechase Association to organize competitive steeplechase racing. He was also responsible for the introduction of the Hackney pony to the United States. In 1878 he acquired 239 Stella in Britain and brought her to Philadelphia. In 1891, Cassatt and several fellow Hackney enthusiasts founded the American Hackney Horse Society. The organization and registry continues to this day with its headquarters now in Lexington, Kentucky.

Death

Alexander Cassatt died in 1906 after a six-month illness. He was succeeded as Pennsylvania Railroad president by James McCrea.

Legacy

Gramercy Mansion was built by Alexander Cassatt in 1902.

References

Further reading

* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2005), " [http://www.rpi.edu/about/hof/cassatt.html RPI: Alumni hall of fame: Alexander J. Cassatt] ". Retrieved February 22 2005.
* White, John H., Jr. (Spring 1986), America's most noteworthy railroaders, "Railroad History", Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, 154, p. 9-15.
* Jacobs, Timothy. The History Of The Pennsylvania Railroad; Bison Books Group 1988; ISBN 0-517-63351-5, p. 78-88 The Cassatt years.
* Jones, Jill. Conquering Gotham. Building Penn Station and Its Tunnels.; Penguin Books 2007; ISBN 978-0-14-311324-9.
* [http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/texts/schmidtd/chesterbrook_and_way.html Chesterbrook Farm - The Lower Merion Historical Society]
* [http://www.hackneysociety.com/ American Hackney Horse Society]