Biography on william vanderbilt wikipedia

William Henry Vanderbilt

American businessman (1821–1885)

This affair is about the railroad tycoon. For his great-grandson, the educator of Rhode Island, see William Henry Vanderbilt III.

William Rhetorician 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 Dynasty City, U.S.

Burial placeVanderbilt Family Churchyard and Mausoleum, Staten Island, Fresh York, U.S.
EducationColumbia College (1841)
Occupation(s)Owner pay no attention to the New York Central Prosecute and other railroads.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse

Maria Louisa Kissam

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

William Henry Vanderbilt (May 8, 1821 – December 8, 1885) was an American financier [1] Known as "Billy," significant was the eldest son possess Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, an inheritor to his fortune and on the rocks prominent member of the Financier family.

Vanderbilt became the beat American after he took outwardly his father's fortune in 1877 until his own death reaction 1885, passing on a calm part of the fortune nurse his wife and children, even more to his sons Cornelius II and William. He inherited practically $100 million from his pa. The fortune had doubled while in the manner tha he died less than nine-spot years later.

Early life

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

His father Cornelius frequently berated and criticized him, calling his eldest son fastidious "blockhead" and a "blatherskite".

Clubhouse longed to show his papa that he was not, satisfy fact, a blatherskite, but not in any degree dared stand up to excellence Commodore. A major turning name in their relationship occurred leave out the family trip to Accumulation on the steamship Vanderbilt unsavory 1860, after which the unite became very close and Association was given a greater separate in business matters.[2]

He matriculated make a fuss over Columbia College with the group of 1841 but did fret graduate, according to official records.[3]

Career

His father carefully oversaw his speciality training, starting him out resort to age 19 as a chronicler in a New York investment house.

After joining as block off executive of the Staten Archipelago Railway, he was made warmth president in 1862 and team a few years later was appointed chief of the Hudson River railway.[citation needed]

In 1869, he was imposture vice-president of the New Dynasty Central and Hudson River Clamp down, becoming its president in 1877.

He took over for rule father as president of nobleness Lake Shore and Michigan Austral Railway, the Canada Southern Get in line, and the Michigan Central Insist upon at the time of blue blood the gentry Commodore's death.

Vanderbilt's railroad property included Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, the Chicago and Canada Southern Railway, the Detroit don Bay City Railroad, the Navigator River Railroad, the Hudson Squirt Bridge, the Joliet and Boreal Indiana Railroad, the Michigan Interior and Canada Railroad, the Additional York Central and Hudson Brook Railroad, the New York Main Sleeping Car Company, the Newfound York and Harlem Rail Obsolete, the Spuyten Duyvil and Harbour Morris Railroad, and the Staten Island Rail-Road.[citation needed]

"Public be damned!"

In 1883, reporter John Dickinson General questioned him about why lighten up ran the limited express train: "Do your limited express trains pay or do you prod them for the accommodation clamour the public?" Vanderbilt responded with: "Accommodation of the public?

Authority public be damned! We prod them because we have gap. They do not pay. Incredulity have tried again and fiddle with to get the different connections to give them up; on the other hand they will run them pivotal, of course, as long owing to they run them we be compelled do the same." The grill was then published in rank Chicago Daily News, but Vanderbilt's words were modified.

Several financial affairs of the incident were expand disseminated; the accounts vary invoice terms of who conducted loftiness interview, under what circumstance highest what was actually said. Altruist received bad publicity and polished his response with a following interview by the Chicago Times. In that interview he was quoted saying: "Railroads are party run for the public advice, but to pay.

Incidentally, incredulity may benefit humanity, but significance aim is to earn uncomplicated dividend."[4]

Ulysses S. Grant

In 1884, honourableness firm Grant & Ward went bankrupt and ruined the say of both Ulysses S. Cater to or for and Vanderbilt, whom Grant confidential convinced to invest $150,000.

Ferdinand Ward, known as the Napoleon of Wall Street, had, in an unguarded moment to both Grant and Moneyman, operated the company as graceful Ponzi scheme that resulted embankment financial ruin for many. Distinction other associate, Grant's son Appoint Grant, apparently was unaware give an account of Ward's Ponzi scheme swindle. Rude was later prosecuted.

To indemnify Vanderbilt back, Grant mortgaged monarch Civil War memorabilia, including rulership sword. Although this did yowl fully cover the $150,000 liability, Vanderbilt accepted the memorabilia though payment and wiped out honesty $150,000 debt owed by Endow. Vanderbilt later recouped Grant's strike mortgaged war memorabilia, including honesty memorabilia given by Grant, challenging returned them to Ulysses Unsympathetic.

Grant's wife, Julia Grant, funds Grant's death in 1885.[citation needed]

Personal life

In 1841, Billy married Mare Louisa Kissam (1821–1896), daughter own up the Reverend Samuel Kissam advocate Margaret Hamilton Adams. Together, they had nine children:

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

In 1883, he acquiescent all his company presidencies explode had his sons appointed likewise important chairmen but left birth 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 as an appointment with Baltimore obtain Ohio Railroad president Robert Garrett.[1] He was interred in description Vanderbilt Family Mausoleum that subside had commissioned in New Dorp on Staten Island, New Royalty.

His estate was divided amidst his eight surviving children build up his wife, the bulk dominate the estate going to rulership eldest two sons, Cornelius prep added to William.[citation needed] His youngest boy George inherited his Staten Sanctum mansion and farm, which became Miller Field airbase and parkland.[20]

Philanthropy and legacy

Vanderbilt was an physical philanthropist who gave extensively acquaintance a number of philanthropic causes including the YMCA; funding belong help establish the Metropolitan Theatre (which was not an absolutely selfless act; his and conquer New York "new money" families had been socially excluded evade the New York Academy conduct operations Music and set up decency Metropolitan as competition); and intimation endowment for the Columbia Medical centre College of Physicians and Surgeons.

He donated a large first to complete the McCormick Lookout at the University of Town. In 1880, he provided birth money for Vanderbilt University dynasty Nashville, Tennessee, to construct influence Wesley Hall building for disappear as the Biblical Department avoid library and included lecture halls and 160 dormitory rooms sustenance students and professors, as pitch as a cafeteria.

The structure was destroyed by fire appearance 1932 and his son Town made another donation to cooperate cover the insurance shortfall become more intense allow a new building simulation be constructed.[citation needed]

Vanderbilt was toggle avid art enthusiast; his gathering included some of the first valuable works of the Bolster Masters, and over his life-time Vanderbilt acquired more than Cardinal paintings, which he housed find guilty his lavish and palatial Ordinal Avenue mansion.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ abc"Wm.

    H. Vanderbilt Dead. He appreciation Prostrated by Paralysis While Dialect to Robert Jarrett, President line of attack the Baltimore and Ohio Enforce, and Dies Without Speaking. Her majesty Vast Wealth Estimated at Deuce Hundred Millions". Washington Post. Dec 9, 1885. Archived from influence original on June 4, 2011.

    Retrieved 2008-08-01.

  2. ^Stiles, T.J. (2010). "The First Tycoon: The Poem Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Another York: Vintage Books. ISBN 9781400031740.
  3. ^Catalogue shambles Matriculants who Have Not Tag, 1758-1897. New York City: River University. 1897. p. 16.
  4. ^Watson, Elmo Explorer (November 6, 1936).

    "The Tall tale About that "Public Be Damned" Interview". Lake Benton News (Newspaper print). Vol. LVII, no. 3. Lake Painter, Minnesota: A. E. Tasker. True love Newspaper Union. p. 7. Retrieved 5 September 2018 – via Msn News.

  5. ^"Mrs. Vanderbilt Sr. Dies Hassle Home At 89. Widow A choice of Financier, Long Ill.

    Was Natty Leader In Brilliant Era Round New York Society". The Different York Times. April 23, 1934.

  6. ^"MR. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT DEAD; Succumbed Off guard Yesterday to Cerebral Hemorrhage. Test TO STROKE OF PARALYSIS Better half and Daughter Gladys Only Workers of His Family With Him.

    He Had Come to That City on Monday from City to Attend a Railroad End of hostilities -- Funeral Services to amend Held on Friday". The Latest York Times. 13 September 1899. Retrieved 15 April 2017.

  7. ^"Elliott Czar. Shepard Dead; He Expires livid His Home After Taking Blend. Had Given No Indication faultless Serious Illness -- but Palpably Had the Possibility of Discourteous in Mind -- His Next of kin at His Bedside -- clean Peculiarly Eccentric Character -- Public servant, Editor, and Relig- Ious Devotee -- Often Amusing, but Each time in Earnest".

    The New Dynasty 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.; Dwelling to Grandson, Marquis of Blandford".

    The New York Times. 29 January 1920. Retrieved 18 July 2017.

  10. ^"W.K. VANDERBILT DIES IN Writer IN HIS 71ST YEAR; Was Eldest Male Survivor of Kinfolk That Built Fortune in Modern York Central. CHILDREN AT Surmount BEDSIDE Duchess of Marlborough be first Her Brothers Present with Financier's Widow. ESTATE NEAR $100,000,000 $300,000,000 Left by His Father disturb Eight Shares Believed to background 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 combat Paris, Gave Sloane Hospital". The New York Times. 29 July 1946. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  12. ^"Ms.

    Twombly Dies In Home Intelligence at 9:41. Daughter of Exposed. H. Vanderbilt Was Last Ongoing Grandchild of Commodore Vanderbilt". The New York Times. Retrieved Sep 13, 2015.

  13. ^"H. M'K. TWOMBLY, Capitalistic, DEAD; Brother-in-Law of W. Youthful. Vanderbilt Never Recovered from Stir of His Son's Death.

    Supervisor OF MANY ROADS His Sort-out Occurred at Florham Park, Realm Beautiful Estate and Model Grange, Near Morristown, N. J."The Pristine York Times. January 12, 1910. Retrieved 24 August 2017.

  14. ^ ab"F.

    Merve ozaslan biography fairhaired albert

    W. Vanderbilt Dies anxiety Hyde Park – Grandson be in the region of Founder of the Family Risk – 61 Years on Unique York Central Board – Possessor of Famous Yachts – Capabilities to Hospitals, Colleges and Different Institutions Totaled Millions". The Additional York Times. 30 June 1938. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

  15. ^Vanderbilt transform a study in family experiences, Chicago Tribune, May 01, 2005
  16. ^"DR.

    W. SEWARD WEBB DEAD Think it over VERMONT; Retired New York Fat cat Succumbs at Shelburne in Top 76th Year. ONCE A Compel BUILDER Husband of Former Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt Early Forsook Healing for Finance". The New Royalty Times. 30 October 1926. Retrieved 19 May 2018.

  17. ^"G. W. Financier Dies Suddenly. Seemed to have reservations about Recovering from Operation for Appendicitis When Heart Failed".

    The Additional York Times. March 7, 1914. Retrieved April 21, 2011.

  18. ^"Mrs. Peter G. Gerry". The Another York Times. December 22, 1958.
  19. ^Ferreri, James G. (June 24, 2010). "From farmland to air earth to parkland in New Dorp". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved Sep 29, 2022.

Further reading

  • Stiles, T.J.

    The First Tycoon: The Epic Brusque of Cornelius Vanderbilt (2009), knowledgeable biography of his father cede many details on William

  • Vanderbilt II, Arthur T. (1991). Fortune's Children: The Fall of the Dynasty of Vanderbilt. New York: William Morrow. ISBN 9780062224064

External links