San Francisco County
Biographies
BION JOSEPH ARNOLD
ARNOLD, BION JOSEPH, Electrical Engineer. Born in Michigan, 1861. Son of Joseph and Geraldine
Reynolds Arnold. Received early education public schools of Ashland, Nebraska, and in University of Nebraska. Showed marked inclination for mechanics early
and under the adverse conditions of a new country, where machine shops and
technical schools were unknown, made numerous mechanical devices, among them
being a small steam engine at twelve; a full sized working bicycle at seventeen
and a complete miniature working locomotive at eighteen. Spent vacations when in school at practical
engineering work, and graduated from Hillsdale
College with the degree of B. S. in
1884; M. S. 1887; honorary M. Ph. 1889; post-graduate work electrical
engineering, Cornell, 1888-89; E. E. from University of Nebraska, for course of
technical lectures, in 1898; honorary D. Sc., Armour
Institute, 1907; honorary Doctor Engineering, University of Nebraska, 1911;
President American Institute Electrical Engineers, 1903-04; delegate from this
Institute to International Electrical Congress, Paris, 1900; First Vice
President and Chairman Executive Committee, St. Louis, 1904; President, Western
Society of Engineers during 1906 and 1907.
After
graduation was general agent for an engine company; draftsman for the Allis
Company, Milwaukee (now Allis-Chalmers); chief designer
Iowa Iron Works, Dubuque; mechanical engineer, Chicago
Great Western Railway, St. Paul.
Upon
leaving Cornell in 1889 took charge of St. Louis office
Thomson-Houston Company, and later acted as Consulting Engineer of its Chicago
office. Acted in similar capacity for
the Columbian Intramural Railway, Chicago World’s Fair, the
first elevated electric road in the United
States.
October,
1893, opened office as an independent Consulting Engineer. In this capacity has been employed by many
large corporations and municipalities, being
recognized as one of the foremost engineers of the country.
Organized the Arnold Company in 1895, one of the most successful
engineering organizations in the United States, carrying on engineering and construction work for many leading
steam railways and industrial concerns throughout the country.
In
1896 developed and took the responsibility of first applying the rotary
converter sub-station storage battery high tension system of electric railway,
by utilizing it on the Chicago & Milwaukee Electric road. This immediately became standard and was
exemplified in its highest type in the installation of the New York Central
terminal. Was a pioneer in single phase
alternating current railway work and conducted at his own expense a series of
experiments, 1900-04, which was largely instrumental in causing the rapid
development of the single phase alternating current railway system. A number of steam roads have since adopted
the single phase system, among them being the New York,
New Haven & Hartford R. R. and the Grand Trunk Railway. Acted as Consulting
Engineer for the latter company in the design and installation of the electrification
of the St. Clair tunnel.
In
1902, the city of Chicago selected
him to make a thorough study and report of its traction system. This report formed the basis of the 1907
ordinances, under which Chicago is
getting one of the finest street car systems in the world. As Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Board
of Supervising Engineers, he is largely responsible for this work. Also served on various Chicago
commissions valuing surface car lines.
In 1911 submitted complete plans for a comprehensive subway system to
the City Council Local Transportation Committee.
Prepared
series of reports upon the subway system of the Interborough
Rapid Transit Company when acting as Consulting Engineer for the Public Service
Commission, First District, State of New
York. Also acted as director of appraisals in the valuation of all
surface street railway properties of New York and the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co.
Has
recently devoted much time to the solution of public utility problems and has
submitted reports upon the traction systems of Pittsburg, Providence
and Los Angeles. Is now engaged in similar
studies for the cities of San Francisco and Toronto. Has just presented
a report to the Interurban Rapid Transit Commission, upon a comprehensive
system of interurban terminals for Cincinnati, providing
rapid transit to the heart of the city and is now making, for the Federal
court, an appraisal of the properties of the Metropolitan
Street Railway, Kansas
City, Missouri.
Transcribed by Betty Vickroy.
Source: Press Reference
Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page
406, International News
Service, New
York,
Chicago, San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2007 Betty Vickroy.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library