Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-07-25
vanderbilt,s Four Sons.

IL NolluiouoTe thutTUfit coulu TO-
day revisit New York lie would un-
doubtedly be glad TO find the destinies
OF the house of Vanderbilt in such
good hands. Since the retirement of
William III. Vanderbilt from active
participation in affairs his three eldest
sons, Cornelius, William X. and Fred
erick, have been, so to speak, joint re-
gents. The heir apparent, The crown
prince of the Vanderbilt dynasty is
Cornelius.
The future railroad monarch is now
about thirty-iive years of age. His
personal appearance is decidedly pre-
possessing. He is very tall and has
an erect, slender and graceful figure.
His hair and eyes are very dark and
his face, which is clean shaved. with
the exception of small, closely-cut side
whiskers, shows strength and decision
in every line. He. began his CONNER
cial education as clerk in brokers'
Office in Broad street, and after being
thoroughly grounded in the prin-
ciples Of business was transferred
to one~of the clerical departments of
the New York Central railroad in The
Grand Central depot. There his posi-
ton was by no means u sinecure, and
he was obliged To perform exactly the
same duties IS his fellow-clerhs whose
futures were less brilliant. BY steady
application and natural business abil-
ity, without one particle of favor being
shown him, he gradually rose step by
step, passing 10y degrees from one de-
partment to another ana mastering
successfully every detail of rail-
road management, until he had thor
oughly fitted himself for the exalted
position he now holds. 1t is probable
that no one in this country as more
thoroughly conversant with railroad
methods than he is,
AT his fathers abdication, Cornelius
became chairman of the board of direc-
tors of the New York Central, and
| president of the "Nickel-plate.n In
addition, he is director in countless
other roads. When quite young he
| He has four children, the eldest of
whom is about eleven years of age.
The second son, William Nissan
Vanderbilt, the head of the Lake
Shore road, somewhat resembles his
elder brother in personal appearance,
without, however, being able TO lay
claim TO the same amount of good
looks. Although he has not been
| subjected to the same rigid course of
| training, he is remarkably good bus
mess man. He seems to have won
dertul power of grasping the most
difficult business problems. 1t was
said of him the other day by promi-
nent railroad man that
the rapidly with which
he could analyze questions
involving the consideration of II hall
dozen conflicting interests aud almost
instantly arrive az an unerring conclu-
sion was simply marvellous and made
il really Il Pleasure to dc
business with him. He il
en- indefatigahIe work and dc.
votes almost the whole Of his time to
railroad Affairs. Like his grandfather
he is great lover of cards and horses
but his taste in horsetiesh IS, unlike
the Commodore's, very English. He
is strong supporter of the tuif, sc
far us running horses are con
cerned, but cares nothing
for trotter,. He married Mis-.
Smith of Mobile and has three chill
dren. OF late years he has gone much
into fashionable society, particularly
among the English set, his wife being
a relative by marriage of Lady Mande
vile. His house at Islip is managed
after the fashion Of an English country
home. In fact, he seems to be a strong
supporter of the prevailing Anglo
mania.
The third son, Frederick, is also ,
director in most of the roads controlled
by the family, but he hold
no executive position, and doe
not take very active part in affairs
His personal appearance is very differ
ent to that of his brothers, his com
: plexion being fair and his hair ans
whiskers of II pronounced reddish hue
He is married but has no children.
George Vanderbilt is the fourth ant
youngest son. He is now about nine
teen. He is by nature n student, al
ardent lover of books. 1t is quit
) probable that he will make his mari
In the world of literature. 1t is his in
tention to take no part in business be
: yond what is necessary in caring TO
his vast estate.