Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Charles Edmund PUGH
General Manager of all the lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad east of Pittsburgh and Erie, was born at Unionville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1842. He is a son of the late Elijah Pugh, a well-known merchant of Chester County, whose wife, born Eliza Taylor, was a daughter of Richard Taylor, and like her husband a native of the county named. The subject of this sketch attended the district school at the village of Unionville, and when duly prepared, entered the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Here he completed a very thorough course of study and at its close went into his father's office in a clerical capacity. It did not take him long to discover that he had no vocation in the monotonous duties of a clerk in the retail trade, and being determined to rise in the world, or at all events to secure a more congenial occupation, in which the latent capabilities that he felt he possessed might be afforded more ample opportunity for exercise, he left home at the age of twenty and went in search of a wider field. Although wholly inexperienced, he succeeded in securing a subordinate position in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1859, having demonstrated to the satisfaction of his superiors that the confidence reposed in him was not misplaced, he was advanced to the position of Station Agent at Newport, Perry County, Pennsylvania. Increased responsibilities only served to prove that he was entirely capable of bearing them, and recognizing his merit, the company determined still further to advance him. The position selected for him to fill was the very important one of train despatcher. To prepare himself for this post, more especially to familiarize himself with all the details attending the running of trains, he served six months as a conductor on a passenger train. In 1864, having made himself master of the required knowledge, he was appointed train despatcher of the Philadelphia Division. In 1870 he was made General Agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad for Philadelphia, and held this position until 1879, when he was promoted to the office of General Superintendent, with headquarters at Altoona. Here he remained until October 1, 1882, when he was appointed to his present position, with headquarters at Philadelphia. During the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, in 1876, Mr. Pugh was ordered to the Centennial Stations in West Philadelphia, and placed in charge of the movements of all trains entering and leaving them. It is safe to say that never before in the history of American railroads had a heavier responsibility been laid upon one man's shoulders. But, as occasionally happens, the emergency found the man competent to deal with it. Mr. Pugh's labors in this regard were truly remarkable, and his success was the marvel of railroad men all over the country. Upwards of three million passengers were received at and despatched from these stations during the continuance of the Exhibition, and so admirably were the arrangements perfected by Mr. Pugh, not only for handling such an immense number of people, but for doing so with every care for their comfort and safety, that in all that time, a period of nine months, not a single accident occurred. Mr. Pugh has abundantly demonstrated his fitness for every position to which he has been appointed, and his rapid promotion has been honorably earned. There are few things in connection with the conduct of railroads that he has not acquired a mastery of, and his high reputation as a manager is due to this fact. He is an indefatigable worker, trusting to no eye save his own in all important matters, and untiring in the discharge of duty. Accustomed for years to direct the movements of others he has acquired an air of command which sits well upon his fine physique, and has a high value in expediting the work carried on under his supervision. No small share of his success is due to his decision of character. He readily comprehends his duties, whatever the demand or emergency, and quietly and promptly meets them. There is no unnecessary noise or confusion, for his orders are so clear that his subordinates down to the lowest grade understand and execute them with ease and dispatch. Having himself that thorough and indeed indispensable acquaintance with every detail of his profession, he inspires the respect of those under him, with the happiest results from a business point of view, and to the great advantage of the general public. In the city of Philadelphia he is very popular, and few men are better known there in business circles, in society, or on the promenade. Mr. Pugh married, in 1884, Miss Clara Jaggard, daughter of Clement Jaggard, Esq., of Altoona. Two children have been born to this marriage, both girls, viz: Annie Jane and Clara Elizabeth.
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