New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-02
SKETCH OF MR.. GARRIsON'S LIFE.

William K. Garrison, the second son OF Commo-
dore c. X. Garrison, was born early III 1854 at
Goderich IN the Province of Ontario a port OF
entry on Lake Huron. At the time of his BIRTH his
father was engaged in building steamboat at
Goderich but Immediately after its completion he
returned to ST. Louis The child was so young
when his father removed to his former home, that
few of Mr. Garrison's intimate friends are aware
Of the fact that he was not born IN st. Louis. lie
was the second son, but his older brother who vas
man of less marked ability. died few years ago. A
daughter, Mrs. Van Auken, is now Commodore Gar
rison's only surviving child
Mr. Garrison received a good education in the
schools of st. Louis which then had an excel
lent reputation. lie remained at 81. Louis until he
had nearly attained his majority, when he went to
San Francisco 10 JOIN his father. Commodore Car
rison had then been in California several years. lie
went there at the first outbreak of the gold fever,
which reached its height IN 1S49. His family did
not accompany him, but renamed In st. Louis dur
ing his long absence. He was the first Mayor OF
San Francisco and had become largely interested
in the steamship lines leading to that port There
his Youngest son. William r. Garrison. joined him
in 1853 and there he remained some time after
the Commodore left the Pacific for the East. In
1864 Mr. Garrison followed his father to New
York, and at once became the agent Of the various
onired an interest. He himself had 10 I'M
important Share in the ownership of them
and to their management he devoted himself
with all the earnestness and fidelity which were the
conspicuous traits of his character. Among the
lines which his father and he controlled were the
lines 10 California, TO New-Oreans, 10 Savannah
aud to Brazil. OF the line to Brazil Mr.. Garrison
was many years the president. and about ten years
ago he went to Europe for the express purpose of
building four steamships for the Brazilian coastwise
trade. He subsequently made several tIps to
Europe in the time that he interested in
shipping. In this business he accumulated. with
the help of his father, large fortune. Commodore
Garrison and his disposed of their steamship
property some years ago. Commodore Garn-
son had retained warm attachment for the
State of Missouri, and had become already
large holder of the bonds of the Pacific Rail road
chartered by that State He became the sole owner
of the rold when it was sold under foreclosure OF
the thrd-Inortgage bonds in 1876. His ton
made yice-presdent OF the reorganzed company
which still bears the name of the Nj souri-Pac
and during his fathers absence In Europe in
1873 and 1879 he acted as president. The property
was sold to Jaw Gould about two years ago for
nearly 81 600. 600 although the share capital was
then, as ii until that sale, only 100000 The
whole Of il was held By the Garrsons, who immedi-
ately retired from the management
In the meantime the Commodore and W. X. Car
rison had become interested in the PROJECT of build
ing an elevated railroad in this city They gained
the control Of the New-York Loan and improvement
Company which built and owned tue lines of the
Metropolitan Elevated Railway. William r. Gar
rlson was made president of the latter company.
When the Manhattan Railway Company
leased the two rival lines, the Metropolitan
Xnr Eabru he
OF Directors OF that company was composed OF
thirteen members of whom slX were chosen from
the metropolitan Company, SIX IRON the New
York Company and the remaining ono by
the twelve. This compromise met the usual
fate of all compromises. The stock
Of he Manhattan Company, which was increased
TO $I3, 900 GOO, was divided equally between the
two leased lines Tue New-lork Company us
tIibuied its half of the stock among lis stock
holders, while the Metropol tan merely turned lis
hall over TO the Loan and Improye ment
Company, by which il was controlled. ms
resultod IN serious dispute between the
which finally resulted IL the