Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-09
The MilIionnire's Wife.


REAlNlsCENCE AND CHARACTER oF MRS.
yANDERBILr.
Mrs. Vanderbilt, wife of Commodore Van
derbil died last week. We find in an obitu-
airy Of her the following incident and char
acter showing that Vanderbilt had a good
partner in life, and that to her influence pro-
badly was due much of his success
Somewhere about 60 years ago Cornelius
Vanderbilt commenced life by running a
peranaer" between Staten Island and New
York. During the day. he piled his voca-
ton, and, whenever his duties permitted vis-
tied his second cousin, Miss Sophie johnson,
then young and comely girl Of l6, who also
lived on the island. Perhaps it was the out
burst of his first love that made the young
sailor so ambitions, and inspired him with the
energy and enterprise he has always exhibit
ed. Certain it is, however, that the cousins
married, and old folks who knew them then,
speak with delight of the handsome pair, for
they were admitted to be the comeiest couple
Staten Island has ever produced. 1t is un-
necessary to trace the Commodore from the
time he was ierryman, until he was pro-
NOTED, OF, more properly, promoted himself
to the responsible position Of captain Of 4
steamboat which pied between New York aud
1 New Brunswick, n j. At the iattrr place.
however, he was proprietor of hotel, AZ whicH
passengers from New York to Philadelphia
! used to take meals, and occasionally a nights
rest 1t was a kind of halfway house. His
wife superintcnded the hotel while he was en-
gagged in his active aquatic vocation. One
evening he arrived from New York, and while
sitting at supper, said to his wife;
Sophie, wish had $4,000, in addition
to what | have, to buy shares in the steam-
boat line; think it would be good invest
mentn
Do you think so, Coneil?" responded
his thoughtful partner.
do said he
She said nothing more, but next day con-
suited MIR. Gibbons, and he advised the in
yestment Next evening at supper she ac-
costed her husband thus
Cornell, I've spoken to Mr.. Gibbons
about buying shares, and as he approves your
idea, there's the $4,000 buy the shares to-
morrow"
As she spoke, she took the amount from one
of.those old fashioned pockets that used to be
worn under the dress, and handed il to her
iNHlOhlnNtu HuHpNnus f0ht uii HhNti iiA' hlphtl
uubeknown to him and it was probably this
same money that foated the Commodore into
fame aad fortune This incident shows what
the woman was The money was wisely sown
and, as is well known, the harvest is great
The subsequent history of Mr.. Vanderbilt i,
the inheritance of all men and though the
part taken by his wife in building up his i'm
mense wealth cannot be made public, yet il
is safe TO say that with him she bore the
burden and heat OF the day, and melted hin
by her cheering and courageous words to EN-
bark in great undertakings, and, by her wis
dom, conduct them to successful issues.
In her home she was kind and amiable--i
true and faithful wife, fond mother aud I
firm friend. 1t was in the sacred precinct
Of the family circle that she was best known
it was there her good qualities were most ap
parent and most appreciated and now tina
She is no more, her cautious counsel, her moth
erly love, and bright face, beaming with goo'
nature will be sadly missed.
Mrs Vanderbilt was no ordinary woman
far from it, independently Of her position
as the consort of one Of the notable speci
mems of self-made men, She had inherent il
herself elements that raised her above th
level of ordinary women. She was Just the
woman to be the wife of Cornelius Wander
bilt intelligent, energetic, of an ardent
hopeful temperament, and withal kindly
mothcrly, and purely womany. 1t is certain
that she relieved him of all the care of
large family, conducting her household affair
well and wisely experimenting the education
of her children aud bringing them up in tn
way they should 60