University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

Page 16 text:

HONORABLE THOMAS MELLON. The subject of this sketch is one of the oldest and best known citizens of Pittsburgh. He was born February 3, 1813, at Camp Hill. County Tyrone, Ireland, and when five years old accompanied his parents to America, settling in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. From that time until he was twenty years old he lived upon the farm, working in summer, studying in winter, and by his fondness for study making it clear that he should enter some profession rather than remain upon the farm. Accordingly he was sent to the Classical School at Monroeville, Allegheny county, conducted by the Rev. Jonathan Gill, and later matriculated in the Western University of Pennsylvania, then situated on Third street. Pittsburgh. Here he graduated in the class of 1837. Two years before his graduation he began to read law with Judge Shaler, a leading attorney of the day. and in December of 1838 he was admitted to the Allegheny County Bar. While a student in the University, he brought to his work the same painstaking care, intensity of application and discrimination of judgment which characterized him in all his after life and made it so eminently successful; and when, at the opening of the college term after he had finished his course, a temporary vacancy occurred in the Latin department, young Mellon was. by reason of his accurate and thorough scholarship, chosen to fill the position. Ever afterwards he declared that his experience in the professor’s chair was of incalculable benefit to him. For some months he served as managing clerk of the Prothonotary’s office, and in June, 1839. he began the active practice of the law. His office was on Fifth avenue and Market street, and from the beginning he enjoyed a remarkable lucrative practice. In 1858 Ins intense labors began to tell upon his health, and his friends both at the bar and on the bench, prevailed upon him to become a candidate for a judgeship recently created in the Court of Common Pleas No. 1. and he was elected. He discharged the duties of this [ 6 ]

Page 15 text:

DEDICATION. As the history of a nation, so the history of a great public institution is embodied in the lives of its great men. A strong alumni body is both foundation and reserve power for a university, and thus with a realization of the noble office which our alumni have tilled in. the history of the Western University of Pennsylvania, recognizing the dignity thus gained for their infant publication, the editors of the Owl” respectfully dedicate their maiden effort to the oldest living alumnus of the University and one who has ever had its best interests at heart, HONORABLE THOMAS MELLON. [ 5 1

Page 17 text:

office with the most signal success until the close of his term, but declined renomination. From this time on he engaged in the banking business and in 1886 the firm of T. Mellon Sons was established. The firm immediately took rank as one of the strongest in the country, Mr. Mellon showing the same capacity for a business career as he had in the practice of law. He has ever been distinguished for accurate knowledge, clearness of perception, keenness of vision, quickness of decision, honesty of purpose, integrity of character, and in everything he has undertaken has given evidence of qualities of mind and character that have insured success. In 1843 Mr. Mellon was united in matrimony with Miss Sarah J. Xogley, and eight children were born of this marriage. He joined his four sons with him in business, and they have manifested the same distinguished abilities as their father. Some years ago Judge Mellon retired from active participation in the management of affairs, though for a long time he continued daily to visit his office. Tho the firm of T. Mellon Sons lias grown into one of the largest corporations in the country, the business is still conducted in the same location where it was begun many years ago. Three sons, Mr. James R., Mr. Andrew W., and Mr. Richard II., and five grandsons compose the strong and influential Mellon name in the business world to-day. Judge Mellon, at the advanced age of ninety-three, is spending his closing years tranquilly at his beautiful home on Kegley avenue. Surrounded as he is by his sons and daughters, his grand-children and his friends, held' in highest regard by the people of the city where he has spent practically his entire life, he is able to look back over the past with pride and satisfaction, and forward into tlje future with serene trust. As the oldest living alumnus of the Western University the editors have dedicated this initial volume to him. [ 7 j