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Frank Gilliams Odenheimer
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| Name | Frank Gilliams Odenheimer |
| Ortssitz | Philadelphia (Penns.) |
| Art des Unternehmens | Eisenbahnbeamter |
| Anmerkungen | 1856 - 1935. Privatsekretär von Präsident A. A. McLeod der "Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company". |
| Quellenangaben | [Philadelphia and popular Philadelphians (1891) 243] |
| Hinweise | [Philadelphia and popular Philadelphians (1891) 246]: Portrait |
| Zeit |
Ereignis |
| 17.08.1856 |
Geburt von Frank G. Odenheimer in Philadelphia |
| 09.10.1935 |
Tod |
| ? |
Odenheimer ist Privatsekretär von Präsident A. A. McLeod der "Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company" |
Zeit = 1: Zeitpunkt unbekannt
| ZEIT | 1891 |
| THEMA | Lebenslauf |
| TEXT | Frank Gilliams Odenheimer, private secretary to President A. A. McLeod, of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, was born in Philadelphia, August 17, 1856. He is of German descent on the paternal side and of English extraction on that of his mother, whose Southern blood accounts for the cordiality of his disposition and that genial warmth of manner which impresses so favorably the people of "all sorts and conditions" with whom he is constantly brought in contact in the fulfilment of his duties. He received his education in the various grades of the public schools of his native city, and graduated with honor from the Central High School, after' which he entered the employ of J. B. Lippincott & Co., and later that of John Lucas & Co., the members of both of which firms he counts among his warmest friends. After leaving the employ of John Lucas & Co., he became secretary to George R. Kaercher, Esq., General Counsel of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, remaining as such until the appointment of Mr. McLeod as General Manager of the company when that gentleman made him his private secretary, and upon his election to the Presidency placed Mr. Odenheimer in the position now held bv him; and every one who has business with his chief can bear witness to the good judgment shown in his selection as evidenced by his peculiar fitness for the delicate and responsible position he so capably fills. Of course with the enormous amount of business requiring his attention it is out of the range of possibilities for President McLeod to see each and every one who calls and it is the business of the private secretary to see that his chiefs time is not consumed and frittered away by useless or unnecessary interviews. It is for him to decide, unless special arrangements have been made to the contrary, who shall or shall not see the president. He listens to what the caller has to say and at once makes up his mind whether the subject is one which demands the attention of the president, or should be referred to some department which has such matters in charge. All who come are received courteously, and their requests receive prompt and due attention. The subjects brought before him for decision are as varied as those wdiich fill the advertising pages of one of the great dailies. Some one enters and expresses a desire to exhibit to the president a patent device for coupling cars. Another has a means of heating, which will do away with the life-destroying stove. Another has a patent platform which will insure immunity from danger in the event of a collision. Another has a fuel saving invention for the use of locomotives, and so on through the whole category of inventions applicable to railroad use. At the end of the year the secretary becomes a perambulating patent office catalogue, which would make him valuable to the United States Government. Then some poor woman comes with her sad story of how her husband, son or some near relative has either been maimed, or lost his life in the performance of his duty. Now follows a committee from some township that desires to have an extension of the line made through their district with the view of developing its resources. Then some large operator in coal or iron is anxious to consummate a deal in his specialty, which may reach into the millions. All these people are seen, their requests duly-heard and promptly attended to, the major portion of them not requiring the attention of the president, but calling for the exercise of careful judgment on the part of the secretary. From this brief sketch one can readily sec that Mr. Odenheimer has but little spare time on his hands; but however busy he may be all callers are sure of a cordial reception and polite treatment, and whether successful in accomplishing the object of their visit or not they are impressed with the fact that he is possessed with an earnest desire to faithfully serve to the best of his ability his big and brainy chief, for whom he has a sincere and enthusiastic regard. |
| QUELLE | [Philadelphia and popular Philadelphians (1891) 243] |
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