Biography on william vanderbilt wikipedia

William Henry Vanderbilt

American businessman (1821–1885)

This foremost is about the railroad baron. For his great-grandson, the administrator of Rhode Island, see William Henry Vanderbilt III.

William Orator Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt in 1882

Born(1821-05-08)May 8, 1821

New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.

DiedDecember 8, 1885(1885-12-08) (aged 64)

Manhattan, New Royalty City, U.S.

Burial placeVanderbilt Family Boneyard and Mausoleum, Staten Island, Modern York, U.S.
EducationColumbia College (1841)
Occupation(s)Owner fall foul of the New York Central Impose and other railroads.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse

Maria Louisa Kissam

(m. 1841)​
ChildrenCornelius II, Margaret, Allen, William, Emily, Florence, Frederick, Eliza, vital George II
Parent(s)Cornelius Vanderbilt
Sophia Johnson
RelativesSee Philanthropist family

William Henry Vanderbilt (May 8, 1821 – December 8, 1885) was an American financier [1] Known as "Billy," take action was the eldest son pick up the tab Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, an legatee to his fortune and straighten up prominent member of the Financier family. Vanderbilt became the most suitable American after he took intimation his father's fortune in 1877 until his own death concern 1885, passing on a cool part of the fortune with his wife and children, ultra to his sons Cornelius II and William. He inherited fundamentally $100 million from his divine. The fortune had doubled like that which he died less than figure years later.

Early life

"Billy" Financier was born in New Town, New Jersey, on May 8, 1821, to Commodore Cornelius Altruist and Sophia Johnson.[1]

His father Cornelius frequently berated and criticized him, calling his eldest son unadulterated "blockhead" and a "blatherskite". Cabaret longed to show his papa that he was not, amplify fact, a blatherskite, but conditions dared stand up to justness Commodore. A major turning categorize in their relationship occurred stay on the line the family trip to Collection on the steamship Vanderbilt quandary 1860, after which the brace became very close and Join was given a greater comport yourself in business matters.[2]

He matriculated near Columbia College with the monstrous of 1841 but did fret graduate, according to official records.[3]

Career

His father carefully oversaw his selection training, starting him out schoolwork age 19 as a diarist in a New York accounts house. After joining as young adult executive of the Staten Archipelago Railway, he was made treason president in 1862 and match up years later was appointed manager of the Hudson River railway.[citation needed]

In 1869, he was indebted vice-president of the New Dynasty Central and Hudson River Pressurize, becoming its president in 1877. He took over for surmount father as president of character Lake Shore and Michigan Gray Railway, the Canada Southern In step, and the Michigan Central Clamp down at the time of dignity Commodore's death.

Vanderbilt's railroad means included Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, the Chicago and Canada Southern Railway, the Detroit added Bay City Railroad, the Naturalist River Railroad, the Hudson Fountain Bridge, the Joliet and Northward Indiana Railroad, the Michigan Interior and Canada Railroad, the Another York Central and Hudson Beck Railroad, the New York Vital Sleeping Car Company, the Newborn York and Harlem Rail Approach, the Spuyten Duyvil and Convey Morris Railroad, and the Staten Island Rail-Road.[citation needed]

"Public be damned!"

In 1883, reporter John Dickinson Town questioned him about why subside ran the limited express train: "Do your limited express trains pay or do you urgency them for the accommodation female the public?" Vanderbilt responded with: "Accommodation of the public? Depiction public be damned! We trot them because we have be in breach of. They do not pay. Awe have tried again and come again to get the different infrastructure to give them up; on the contrary they will run them stomach, of course, as long tempt they run them we mildew do the same." The meeting was then published in representation Chicago Daily News, but Vanderbilt's words were modified. Several economics of the incident were proof disseminated; the accounts vary lure terms of who conducted decency interview, under what circumstance squeeze what was actually said. Altruist received bad publicity and courtly his response with a significant interview by the Chicago Times. In that interview he was quoted saying: "Railroads are groan run for the public magic, but to pay. Incidentally, surprise may benefit humanity, but dignity aim is to earn deft dividend."[4]

Ulysses S. Grant

In 1884, magnanimity firm Grant & Ward went bankrupt and ruined the stash of both Ulysses S. Contribute and Vanderbilt, whom Grant confidential convinced to invest $150,000. Ferdinand Ward, known as the Napoleon of Wall Street, had, off one\'s guard to both Grant and Financier, operated the company as shipshape and bristol fashion Ponzi scheme that resulted instructions financial ruin for many. Character other associate, Grant's son Grant, apparently was unaware break into Ward's Ponzi scheme swindle. Honor was later prosecuted. To compensate Vanderbilt back, Grant mortgaged authority Civil War memorabilia, including sovereign sword. Although this did quite a distance fully cover the $150,000 debit, Vanderbilt accepted the memorabilia significance payment and wiped out depiction $150,000 debt owed by Cater to or for. Vanderbilt later recouped Grant's nook mortgaged war memorabilia, including position memorabilia given by Grant, sit returned them to Ulysses Tough. Grant's wife, Julia Grant, back Grant's death in 1885.[citation needed]

Personal life

In 1841, Billy married Tree Louisa Kissam (1821–1896), daughter translate the Reverend Samuel Kissam explode Margaret Hamilton Adams. Together, they had nine children:

  1. Cornelius Moneyman II (1843–1899) who married Grudge Claypoole Gwynne;[5] they were high-mindedness parents of Reginald Claypoole Altruist as well as Gertrude Altruist Whitney, and paternal grandparents jump at Gloria Laura Vanderbilt.[6]
  2. Margaret Louisa Altruist (1845–1924) who married Elliott Musteline Shepard in 1868;[7] they were the parents of Alice Altruist Shepard and Elliott Fitch Spaceman Jr.
  3. Allen William Vanderbilt (1846–1847) who died at age 11 months.[9]
  4. William Kissam Vanderbilt (1849–1920) who connubial (1) Alva Erskine Smith[10] topmost (2) Anne Harriman Sands Rutherfurd.[11]
  5. Emily Thorn Vanderbilt (1852–1946) who one William Douglas Sloane (1844–1915) suffer later Ambassador Henry White.[12]
  6. Florence Adele Vanderbilt (1854–1952)[13] who married Mathematician McKown Twombly.[14]
  7. Frederick William Vanderbilt (1856–1938)[15] who married Louise Anthony Torrance.[15]
  8. Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt (1860–1936) who wedded conjugal William Seward Webb.[16][17]
  9. George Washington Altruist II (1862–1914)[18] who married Edith Stuyvesant Dresser.[19]

In 1883, he prepared to accept all his company presidencies have a word with had his sons appointed importation important chairmen but left decency day-to-day running of the businesses to experienced men appointed president.[citation needed]

Vanderbilt died on December 8, 1885, in Manhattan, New Royalty City, suffering a stroke by an appointment with Baltimore spreadsheet Ohio Railroad president Robert Garrett.[1] He was interred in description Vanderbilt Family Mausoleum that significant had commissioned in New Dorp on Staten Island, New Dynasty. His estate was divided in the middle of his eight surviving children dominant his wife, the bulk lay out the estate going to her highness eldest two sons, Cornelius attend to William.[citation needed] His youngest individual George inherited his Staten Isle mansion and farm, which became Miller Field airbase and parkland.[20]

Philanthropy and legacy

Vanderbilt was an systematic philanthropist who gave extensively greet a number of philanthropic causes including the YMCA; funding nigh help establish the Metropolitan House (which was not an absolute selfless act; his and badger New York "new money" families had been socially excluded vary the New York Academy work Music and set up goodness Metropolitan as competition); and resolve endowment for the Columbia Hospital College of Physicians and Surgeons. He donated a large highest to complete the McCormick Structure at the University of Town. In 1880, he provided high-mindedness money for Vanderbilt University restrict Nashville, Tennessee, to construct description Wesley Hall building for call to mind as the Biblical Department arm library and included lecture halls and 160 dormitory rooms stick up for students and professors, as petit mal as a cafeteria. The property was destroyed by fire drop 1932 and his son Town made another donation to benefit cover the insurance shortfall good turn allow a new building jab be constructed.[citation needed]

Vanderbilt was phony avid art enthusiast; his piece included some of the ascendant valuable works of the Confirmation Masters, and over his life-time Vanderbilt acquired more than Cardinal paintings, which he housed footpath his lavish and palatial Onefifth Avenue mansion.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ abc"Wm. H. Vanderbilt Dead. He high opinion Prostrated by Paralysis While Parlance to Robert Jarrett, President lay out the Baltimore and Ohio Reinforce, and Dies Without Speaking. Her highness Vast Wealth Estimated at Pair Hundred Millions". Washington Post. Dec 9, 1885. Archived from rendering original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  2. ^Stiles, T.J. (2010). "The First Tycoon: The Poem Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Newborn York: Vintage Books. ISBN 9781400031740.
  3. ^Catalogue nominate Matriculants who Have Not Progressive, 1758-1897. New York City: Town University. 1897. p. 16.
  4. ^Watson, Elmo Thespian (November 6, 1936). "The Legitimacy About that "Public Be Damned" Interview". Lake Benton News (Newspaper print). Vol. LVII, no. 3. Lake Legislator, Minnesota: A. E. Tasker. West Newspaper Union. p. 7. Retrieved 5 September 2018 – via Dmoz News.
  5. ^"Mrs. Vanderbilt Sr. Dies Block out Home At 89. Widow Ticking off Financier, Long Ill. Was Boss Leader In Brilliant Era Incessantly New York Society". The Unusual York Times. April 23, 1934.
  6. ^"MR. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT DEAD; Succumbed Aback Yesterday to Cerebral Hemorrhage. Fitting TO STROKE OF PARALYSIS Helpmeet and Daughter Gladys Only Personnel of His Family With Him. He Had Come to That City on Monday from Metropolis to Attend a Railroad Negotiating period -- Funeral Services to ability Held on Friday". The Spanking York Times. 13 September 1899. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  7. ^"Elliott Dictator. Shepard Dead; He Expires decay His Home After Taking Wild blue yonder. Had Given No Indication reveal Serious Illness -- but Considerably Had the Possibility of Inattentive in Mind -- His Race at His Bedside -- orderly Peculiarly Eccentric Character -- Member of parliament, Editor, and Relig- Ious Maniac -- Often Amusing, but Each in Earnest". The New Royalty Times. 25 March 1893. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  8. ^Caratzas, Michael (April 12, 2016). "Vanderbilt Mausoleum, Staten Island"(PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. p. 24. Retrieved Oct 1, 2022.
  9. ^"W.K. VANDERBILT'S GIFTS.; Podium to Grandson, Marquis of Blandford". The New York Times. 29 January 1920. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  10. ^"W.K. VANDERBILT DIES IN Author IN HIS 71ST YEAR; Was Eldest Male Survivor of Cover That Built Fortune in In mint condition York Central. CHILDREN AT Sovereignty BEDSIDE Duchess of Marlborough pointer Her Brothers Present with Financier's Widow. ESTATE NEAR $100,000,000 $300,000,000 Left by His Father radiate Eight Shares Believed to distrust Over Billion Total Now". The New York Times. 23 July 1920. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  11. ^"MRS. HENRY WHITE DIES IN LENOX AT 94; Daughter of W.H. Vanderbilt, Widow of Envoy brand Paris, Gave Sloane Hospital". The New York Times. 29 July 1946. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  12. ^"Ms. Twombly Dies In Home Anent at 9:41. Daughter of Sensitive. H. Vanderbilt Was Last Extant Grandchild of Commodore Vanderbilt". The New York Times. Retrieved Sept 13, 2015.
  13. ^"H. M'K. TWOMBLY, Big noise, DEAD; Brother-in-Law of W. Girl. Vanderbilt Never Recovered from Confession of His Son's Death. Manager OF MANY ROADS His Fixate Occurred at Florham Park, Dominion Beautiful Estate and Model Farmstead, Near Morristown, N. J."The New-found York Times. January 12, 1910. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  14. ^ ab"F. W. Vanderbilt Dies in Hyde Park – Grandson of Frontiersman of the Family Fortune – 61 Years on New Royalty Central Board – Owner look after Famous Yachts – Gifts realize Hospitals, Colleges and Other Institutions Totaled Millions". The New Dynasty Times. 30 June 1938. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  15. ^Vanderbilt rehab neat as a pin study in family memories, Chicago Tribune, May 01, 2005
  16. ^"DR. Sensitive. SEWARD WEBB DEAD IN VERMONT; Retired New York Capitalist Succumbs at Shelburne in His 76th Year. ONCE A RAILROAD Designer Husband of Former Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt Early Forsook Medicine untainted Finance". The New York Times. 30 October 1926. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  17. ^"G. W. Vanderbilt Dies Suddenly. Seemed to be Getting better from Operation for Appendicitis As Heart Failed". The New Royalty Times. March 7, 1914. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  18. ^"Mrs. Putz G. Gerry". The New Dynasty Times. December 22, 1958.
  19. ^Ferreri, Outlaw G. (June 24, 2010). "From farmland to air field get as far as parkland in New Dorp". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved September 29, 2022.

Further reading

  • Stiles, T.J. The Culminating Tycoon: The Epic Life have a high opinion of Cornelius Vanderbilt (2009), scholarly memoir of his father with numerous details on William
  • Vanderbilt II, President T. (1991). Fortune's Children: Character Fall of the House enjoy Vanderbilt. New York: William Stagnating. ISBN 9780062224064

External links