1877. ] 157 [Fraley. 
methods and extent of the instruction given to the 
students. 
Mr. Cresson served for several years as a Manager 
of the Schuylkill Navigation Company, while its affairs 
were under the Presidencies of Solomon W. Roberts, 
Esq., and Charles Ellet, Jr., Esq., and he gave useful 
aid in preparing plans and carrying out the great en- 
largements of the canals and other works of that Com- 
pany during the years 1845 and 1846. 
He was elected President of the Mine Hill and 
Schuylkill Haven Railroad Company, in the year 1847, 
which office he held until his death. Under his adminis- 
tration of the affairs of this Company, its trackage and 
equipments were largely increased, and it became the 
principal carrier to the canal and railroad trunk lines of 
the Anthracite Coal trade of Schuylkill and Northum- 
berland Counties. 
He was appointed one of the original Commissioners 
of Fairmount Park, and was a prominent participant in 
perfecting the organization of that body, and in adopt- 
ing its preliminary plans for the extension and arrange- 
ment of the Park. Having at this time been relieved 
from some of his other appointments and duties, he 
found in the work of the Park a renewal of his old affec- 
tion for rural occupation, and he cheerfully yielded to 
the call of the Park Commission to become their 
Chief Engineer. He entered on this field of duty 
with a zeal and fidelity that soon manifested his power 
and genius. 
