There is a summary of the life of Thaddeus S.C. Lowe posted at Monkey Spit, a humor and pop culture website.
The article, entitled "The Smartest Man You Never Heard of," describes Professor Lowe's humble beginnings and adventures in ballooning, his many inventions and achievements, and the series of events that led to the creation of the Mt. Lowe Railway and Echo Mountain resort.
http://www.mountlowe.org/article.php?story=20050516111929387