The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-04-19
GEORGE VANDERBILT.
Tho Glover Young Millionaire a
Scholarly Recluse.
He Lovos Books, Has n Terror of Design
Ing Mammns and Emulatcs Macauey
Ills Passion for Literature Is
Not u Selfish One.

Every year that George w. Wander
bilt lives his fortune increases mill
ion dollars, says the New York Journal.
He Is now worth over S20,O00,0OO,
which is invested in railrond stock and
Government securities, and which net
him q small fraction over four per cent
on the entire sum. This means an an
nual income of at least Sl,oio,0oo, and
as he spends less than $4,000 year on
himself, his fortune in few years Will
double ITSELF
Unlike his three elder brothers, Cor
nelius, William X. and Frederick W.,
George Vanderbilt is totally bcreft OF
that misunderstanding characteristic
which has shown itself SO prominently
in the last three generations OF the
Vanderbilts.
George, the youngest son OF tho late
William H., is now twcnty-eight years
old, and is the only unmarried child OF
the great lnancier. Although reports
are constantly springing up to the con-
trary, there is little or no prospect OF his
making some girl mistress of his many
millions, as he has never been known to
entertain the slightest feelings OF n
matrimonial character to any of the
thousands of young women who have
been literally hurled at him by aspiring
mammas.
While he does not promise to bring
much fame to the family through fol-
lowing the paths so successfully trod-
den by his forefathers and brothers, he
is regarded with much favor by his
brothers and sisters as being the only
literary and scholarly-inciined member
of the family.
When young boy his taste for books
showed itself SO strongly that his fathor
engaged couple Of tutors expressly to
instruct him, and at the age Of sixteen
he entered Columbia College, whore he
took the classical course, graduating
with high honors
Since then he has almost entirely de-
voted himself to the study of classical
literature, and now he has the reputa-
ton among his few intimate friends of
being one Of the most extensively read
men in the country.
Although in fairly good health his
studious habits of many years duration
have had their effect, and, although not
absolutely necessary, his physicians ad-
wise him to spend the winter months in
the South. In appearance he is slightly
above the medium height, with slen-
der but active frame. lie has high
white forehead, which plainly indicates
the student, blue-gray eyes and brown
mustacho.
In dress he is directly the reverse of
ostentatious and wears little or no jew
elry at all. He would never attract at
tention in crowd and has carefully
contracted habit OF making himself in
conspicuous as possible.
Unlike the other members Of the fam
ily who have mixed steadily in the
whirl of New York society since Mrs.
Willie X. Vanderbilt's great fancy
dress ball in 1883, he carefully shuns all
formal social gatherings, prefering the
quiet of his studio in tho great house on
Fifth avenue. He has terror of NAM
mas with manageable daughters, and
this weakness is one of the private jokes
in tlso Vanderbilt household.
On the death Of his father he fell heir
to q fortunS of $4,000, 600. His grand
father, old Commodore Vanderbilt, left
him fortune of 81, 100000 and as gift
on his twenty-hrst birthday William FL.
presented him with q million.
On the death of his mother all the
latter's possessions including the pala-
tial residence of Fifth avenue with its
millions of art treasures in paintings,
statuary, tapestries and furniture will
revert to him. The residence alone cost
81, 900, 900, and its contents are worth as
much more.
George Vanderbilt is not only book
lover, but he is constant worshiper at
the shrine of fine arts. He knows the
history of every picture in the famous
gallery which his father collected, and
when in the city during the opera sea-
son is a constant attendant at the Metro
pol.tan Opera House. 1t was at his
suggestion that many of the pictures in
the great gallery were purchased by his
father, and he was also instrumental in
having Cleopatra's Needle landed in
Central Park.
For the past three years he has spent
his summers at Bar Harbor with his
mother, and the winters at Nashville,
N. c., where he intends building mag
nificent home, the like Of which has not
been seen in the South since the war.
Tho only outdoor sport he cares for is
canoeing. He has an ordinary cedar
canoe, in which he sails about the Maine
waters with no companion but book.
In tho winter months he is given to
writing essays on various subjects,
none of which, however. has over been
printed under his own name.
That his love for literature is not a
selfish one is demonstrated In gift
made to the public some time ago OF a
free library located at No. PSI West
Thirteenth street. He founded and en-
dowed the institution with $4,000 and
since its original formation has pre-
sented it frequently with gifts of books.
1t is believed by his friends that Mr.
Vanderbilt is now at work upon his
torical work, which, when completed