Henry M. Flagler, W. H. Tilford and A. J. Cassatt - 1895 dated Standard Oil Trust Stock Certificate

STANDARD OIL TRUST. 100 share certificate signed by Henry M. Flagler and W.H. Tilford, both very important officers in the Standard Oil Trust. Most importantly, it was issued to A.J. Cassatt and signed at the back. Cassatt was a civil engineer and Railroad executive. As President of Penn Railroad he nearly doubled their earnings. He was the brother of the extremely famous artist, Mary Cassatt.

Alexander J. Cassatt (1839-1906) was the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad between 1899 and 1906. The best-remembered accomplishment under his stewardship was the planning and beginning of the project to finally give the Pennsylvania Railroad a station in New York City, which became Pennsylvania Station. Unfortunately, Cassatt died before his grand station was complete.

Cassatt more than doubled the Pennsylvania Railroad's total assets during his term, from $276 million to $594 million (an increase of 115 percent). Track and equipment investment increased by 146 percent. The route from New York through Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Altoona to Pittsburgh was made four-tracked throughout, Pennsy's "Broad Way". Many other lines were double-tracked; almost every part of the system was improved. New freight cutoffs avoided stations; grade crossings were eliminated, flyovers were built to streamline common paths through junctions, terminals were redesigned, and much more. Cassatt initiated the Pennsy's program of electrification which led to the road being the United States' most electrified system.

Cassatt died in 1906 after a six-month illness. He was succeeded as Pennsylvania Railroad president by James McCrea.

Alexander Cassatt's sister was the well-known Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt.

Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 – May 20, 1913) was an American industrialist and a founder of Standard Oil, which was first based in Ohio. He was also a key figure in the development of the Atlantic coast of Florida and founder of the Florida East Coast Railway, much of which he built through convict leasing. He is known as the father of Miami and Palm Beach, Florida.