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 [decorative delimiter] Class of 1874

Vol. III
p228
2525

(Born Pa.)

Russell Thayer

(Ap'd Pa.)

17

Born Philadelphia, PA.​a

Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, Sep. 1, 1870, to June 17, 1874, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Second Lieut., 11th Infantry, June 17, 1874.

Served: at the Military Academy, as Assistant Instructor of Artillery Tactics, July 6 to Aug. 31, 1874; and on leave of absence, Aug. 31 to Sep. 30, 1874.

Resigned, Sep. 30, 1874.

Civil History. — Civil Engineer, since 1874. Assistant Engineer of Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 1874‑75. Superintendent and Chief Engineer of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pa., since June 12, 1875. Secretary of the Board of Directors of the "Memorial Hall," in Fairmount Park, since 1875. Brigadier-General, Pennsylvania Militia, 1876‑77.

Vol. IV
p244
[Supplement, Vol. IV: 1890‑1900]

Civil History. — Civil Engineer, Philadelphia, Pa. — For twenty-three years Chief Engineer and Superintendent of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. — Now connected with certain corporations of United Gas Improvement Company of Philadelphia.

Vol. V
p219
[Supplement, Vol. V: 1900‑1910]

Civil History. — Invented and perfected and introduced, commercially, the Thayer "Auto-Trolley System" of electric transportation, by means of which electric trolley roads can utilize on their railway systems vehicles of any type which can be operated from the overhead current while running on the tracks, and are also able to operate on their own independent electric power while off the tracks on the ordinary roadway; also invented a new system of dirigible balloons or airships, for war purposes, (submitted to government). — Residence, Philadelphia, Pa.

Vol. VI
p192
[Supplement, Vol. VI: 1910‑1920]

(Born Dec. 24, 1852.)

Military History. —

Second Lieut., 11th Infantry, June 17, 1874.

Resigned, Sept. 30, 1874.

Civil History. — For 23 years, Chief Engineer of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, and designed and executed practically all of the improvements now existing in that great pleasure ground. After this service, he was for 17 years President of several of the sub‑lighting Companies of the United Gas Improvement Co.; invented, perfected and introduced commercially the "Thayer Auto-Trolley System" of electric transportation; invented a new system of dirigible balloons for war purposes. After leaving the United Gas Improvement Co., devoted his time to original chemical research in the Platinum group of metals; discovered the "Thayer Volatilization Process" for the commercial recovery of these metals from their sands and ores; obtained U. S. Letters Patent on the process; organized and financed the Platinum Metals Co., which controls these patents and of which he is President; member of American Society  p193 of Civil Engineers for over 30 years; member of Board of Managers of St. Vincent's Maternity Hospital and of St. Vincent's Home for Orphan Children; member of Board of Trustees of Catholic Cemeteries of Philadelphia.

Address: 1029 Drexel Building, Philadelphia, Pa.

Vol. VII
p122
[Supplement, Vol. VII: 1920‑1930]

Military History: —

Second Lieutenant, 11th Infantry, June 17, 1874.

Resigned, Sept. 30, 1874.

Civil History: — For 23 years, Chief Engineer of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, and designed and executed practically all of the improvements now existing in that great pleasure ground. After this service, he was for 17 years President of several of the sub‑lighting Companies of the United Gas Improvement Co.; invented, perfected and introduced commercially the "Thayer Auto-Trolley System" of electric transportation; invented a new system of dirigible balloons for war purposes. After leaving the United Gas Improvement Co., devoted his time to original chemical research in the Platinum group of metals; discovered the "Thayer Volatilization Process" for the commercial recovery of these metals from their sands and ores; obtained U. S. Letters Patent on the process; member of American Society of Civil Engineers for over 30 years; designed and promoted the Delaware River Vehicular Tunnel to connect Philadelphia with Gloucester, N. J.; the proposed Express Highway from Camden, N. J. to Atlantic City, N. J.; Vice President and Consulting Engineer of the New Jersey Sea Level Ship Canal Company to connect Delaware River with N. Y. Bay; member of Board of Managers of St. Vincent's Maternity Hospital and of St. Vincent's Home for Orphan Children.

Address: Packard Building, Philadelphia, Pa.

Vol. VIII
p49
[Supplement, Vol. VIII: 1930‑1940]

Military History: —

2d Lt. 11th Inf., June 17, 1874.

Resigned, Sept. 30, 1874.

Died, Oct. 21, 1933, at Philadelphia, Pa.: Aged 80.

Portrait and obituary in Annual Report, Association of Graduates, for 1934.º


Thayer's Note:

a Mr. Thayer's birthplace is from his AOG obituary.


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