About People [excerpt]

     Mr. Thomas Penney, who will succeed Mr. H. J. Pierce as president of the International Railway Company, of Buffalo, is considered one of the foremost lawyers in the state. He is a member of the law firm of Norton, Penney & Sears, who for several years have been the Buffalo attorneys for the company. Because of his intimate acquaintance with its interests, gained in this capacity, he is well equipped to administer the corporate and executive affairs of the corporation. Mr. Penney was born in London, England, coming to this country when a boy. He is a graduate of Yale and was admitted to the bar in Connecticut. Going to Buffalo in 1889, he commenced the practice of law in that city. He became first assistant to the district attorney in 1895 and in 1899 was appointed district attorney (to fill a vacancy) by Theodore Roosevelt, then governor of the state of New York, and was the following year elected to fill the office for a term of three years. During his encumbency [sic] of the office President McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo and the prosecution of the assassin, Czolgoz, devolved upon him as district attorney. Mr. Penney declined a renomination and resumed private practice, becoming a member of the firm of Norton, Penney & Sears. Among the clients of the firm was the International Railway Company, whose interests Mr. Penney has ever since been actively engaged in serving, acquiring a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of its business methods and affairs.