The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-12-18
WILLIAM H. VANDERBILT.
Died peeemser Ssh, 1855.

The sudden death of William II.
Vanderbilt, which took place on De-
cember s, at his house on Fifth ave-
nue., New York, was not an unex-
pected event. His medical attendant
had fOreseen it, aud Mr.. Vanderbilt
sometimes referred TO il. when in
conversation with Intimate friends,
as probability. AS prudent man
foreseeing the evil, he had put his
vast affairs in order, and the death of
the richest man in the world involves
no great shock TO business interests,
home or foreign. there will be no
change in the ownership or manage
nent OF tie Vanderbilt system OF
railroads, which have been under con-
troll of deceased's sons for the past
three years. The owner of probably
two hundred million dollars, Mr..
Vanderbilt, had large accumulation
awaiting investment, which was kept
on temporary loaus.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was the eldest sou
OF the late Commodore Cornelius
Vanderbilt. lie was born at the sum
mer residence of his father, New
Brunswick, N. D., in the year 1921.
After receiving his education at Co
lumbia college grammar school, New
York, he entered, in his eighteenth
Year. the financial house Of Drew,
Robinson Il Co., of that city, where
he exhibited great industry and ex-
ecutlve ability, aud on the expiration
of two years, was offered partner
ship in the business. The close con.
finement, however, having begun to
prey on his health, he determined 10
take up farming As means of recu-
peratiou; and, the commodore having
bought him seyenty-fve acres of un.
improved land on Staten Island, he
at once took his Young wife there,
and set to work with such skill and
energy that he not only cleared the
| seventy-five acres, but soon bad a
larger tract purchased, and $50 acres
under crop.
Shortly after this period, the Staten
Island railroad company became en-
barrassed, when Mr.. Vanderbilt was
appointed receiver for II. While Act
ing in this capacity he relieved the
road OF its difficulties and improved
lts prospects in a marked degree.
The experience required here gave
him an Insight into the railroad AZ
fairs, and advanced him In the opin-
ion of leading capitalists and stock.
holders. In 1864, he was elected vice
president of the New York aud Har-
lem railroad, and In 1865, of the Hud i.
son River line, which under hi, mau-
agcmcnt became so prosperous that
he was nnhesitatiugly recognized as
not only railroad manager OF pro-
found knowledge and experience
but worthy of the confidence of the
commodore to the fullest extent. IL
was now plain sailing until the death
OF his father. This event took place
on January 4. 1877. 1t left Mr.. Van
derbilt in the possession OF the nine
ty-hve of the hundred million dollars
made by the doughty old commodore.
How that vast sum has been more
than doubled is long aud interest
ing chapter in the story of American
progress, 100 long even to outline In
detail. In 1881, Mr.. Vanderbilt sold
quarter million shares Of New York
Central stock to syndicate. and, 4
early in 1888, began TO Intimate To-
his friends that railroad management
had no longer any charms for him.
On May 4, Of that year, be resigned
the presidency of the Central, the
Lake Shore aud the Michigan Cen
trail. His eldest son, Cornelius, was
made chairman in the Central board
OF directors, and v illiam X, another
son, filed similar position In The
Lake Score board. Mr.. Vanderbilt
however, remained a member of The
board Of directors In each eomnanv
during the last months Of his life,
from June last, Mr.. Vanderbilt was !
bHsy with arrangements which were
terminated by the lease of the West
Shore railroad by the Central. as
lately as December 8, only three DAYS
before his death.
The deceased financial magpate
married In 1871, Miss Nissan. The |
daughter of Brooklyn clergyman.
tie had nine children, eight Of whom
and their mother survive him. There
are nineteen grandchildren.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was n plain man
simple IN his tastes, genial, approach
able and ailable. lie was a family |
man In tho fullest sense of the word. |
From the time when he removed
rom Staten Island TO New York, he |
was . member Of the Protestant Epis- |
copal church, and gave literally 10 ia |
interests. The number of his eifts |
aud the extent Of his bounty are not |
known, but some Of his public bone
factions are recordable. In 1880 he |
gave hundred thousand dollars 10 |
bald q theological hall, for Wander
a. H. 4. a