Thomas William Symons

Background

Thomas William Symons was born on February 7, 1849 at Keeseville, Essex County, New York, the son of Thomas and Syrena (Eaton) Symons.

Education

After a year spent at the Michigan Agricultural College, Lansing, Thomas William Symons secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Career

Graduating at the head of his class in 1874, Thomas Symons was commissioned second lieutenant in the corps of engineers. After service at Willet's Point, New York, 1874-76, and with the survey expedition under Lieutenant George M. Wheeler, 1876-79, during which time, May 2, 1878, he was promoted first lieutenant, he was made engineer officer of the Department of the Columbia. In the course of his varied duties in this position he made a survey of the Columbia River, the results of which were published.

From December 28, 1882, until June 7, 1883, he was on duty with the Mississippi River Commission, and from June 18 to December 15, 1883, with the Mexican boundary survey. For the next few years, except for a very brief tour of duty in March 1885 at Hot Springs, Arkansas, he was in Washington, D. C. , aiding in the construction of the Washington aqueduct and serving as assistant to the engineer commissioner of the District of Columbia.

On June 2, 1884, he was promoted captain. From November 1889 to October 1895 he was stationed in Portland, Oregon, in charge of important river and harbor works in the Portland district. Transferred to Buffalo, he now began notable engineering projects on the Great Lakes. He had charge of the construction of the Buffalo breakwater, which, when completed, was the largest in the world. He was promoted major March 31, 1896.

During the following year he made a study of the problems involved in a project for a ship canal to open the Great Lakes to ocean shipping and published several reports.

From July 1898 to April 1903 he was engineer of the 10th Lighthouse District, which included the Great Lakes system (within United States territory) up to the outlet of Lake Huron.

In 1899 Governor Theodore Roosevelt of New York appointed him a member of the state canal commission, in which capacity he was a strong advocate of the construction of the New York State Barge Canal.

By special act of Congress, April 20, 1904, he was granted leave of absence from June 2 of that year to July 1908, during which time he served on the advisory board of consulting engineers which supervised the construction of the New York State Barge Canal of which he came to be known as the "Father. "

Unfortunately, this great project, although technically a fine example of engineering skill, proved to be of little economic value and a complete financial failure. Symons was appointed colonel on May 8, 1908, and was retired at his own request on July 28 of that year.

Thereafter his residence was in Washington, where he died.

Achievements

• Thomas William Symons' chief achievement came in 1899 when Governor Theodore Roosevelt of New York appointed him a member of the state canal commission, in which capacity he was a strong advocate of the construction of the New York State Barge Canal. He was later appointed to succeed Colonel Theodore Bingham as superintendent of public buildings and grounds in Washington, D. C. in 1903, and as military aide to President Theodore Roosevelt. Among his remarkable projects was an elaborate lighthouse and fog signal on Lake Erie, near Toledo. Grandest of all, however, was one of Thomas Symons’ signature accomplishments: planning and constructing the world’s longest breakwater (over four miles long). Built along the shores of Buffalo, it was a project that earned him considerable attention. His role in the building of America is undeniable, from New York to Washington State; the border with Mexico; the Mississippi River; Washington, D. C. ; and so many other places. The world’s longest breakwater (at Buffalo) and New York’s barge canal system stand out as his major career accomplishments. Symons also was known as a "right-hand man" of the president and became the public face of all White House events. Everyone had to go through Roosevelt’s right-hand man before meeting the president. Symons also played a vital diplomatic role by mingling with the guests, ensuring all were seated and handled according to their importance, and allowing the President and First Lady to feel as secure as if they had planned each event themselves. He was also the paymaster general of the White House, seeing to it that all funds appropriated for expenses were spent properly.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The City and the Allegheny River Bridges. Recommendations for Bridge Heights and Pier Locations to Meet the Various Transportation Needs of Pittsburgh

    (Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)

  • History of Buffalo harbor: Its construction and improvement during the nineteenth century

    (This volume is produced from digital images from the Corn...)

  • The City And The Allegheny River Bridges: Recommendations For Bridge Heights And Pier Locations To Meet The Various Transportation Needs Of Pittsburgh (1910)

    (This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)

  • Report Of An Examination Of The Upper Columbia River: And The Territory In Its Vicinity In September And October, 1881 (1882)

    (This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)

  • Report of an Examination of the Upper Columbia River and the Territory in Its Vicinity in September and October, 1881, to Determine Its Navigability,

    (This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before ...)

  • The Symons Report on the Upper Columbia River & the Great Plain of the Columbia

    (pp. 133, 25.Limited edition 323/484)

  • In Valleys green and still < words by A. E. Housman > , and The Divine Image < words by William Blake > . Two songs

Connections

On October 12, 1884, Thomas William Symons married Letitia Robinson Symons, daughter of Alexander Robinson of Philadelphia, by whom he had two sons and a daughter.

Father:

Thomas Symons

Mother:

Syrena (Eaton) Symons

Wife:

Letitia Robinson Symons

References

• Who's Who in America Vol XI 1920-1921 : A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of the United States