The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-18

He Was Born I'm Humble Circum.
stances md Has Always Worked.

New York Sun.
No man of his time has better represent
ed the union OF labor and capital in his
own personal life than Cornelius Wander
bilt. He is a millionaire laborer. and has
been ever since he became a millionaire.
Before he was of age he began to work.
and he has been working ever since. From
his grandfather. the old Commodore he
inherited his first fortune. s.. .00O more
than twice as much as any other OF the
grandsons got. and also the old mans
taste for methodical work. lie began life
as n farmers boy and railroad magnate's
grandson He is now a railroad magnate
himself. and i'm that capacity has given TO
his business the same laborious care thar
the farmers boy gives 10 his chores.
There is not so much of Il reckoned by
hours. but more perhaps, reckoned by the
wear and tear on the human machine.
Comparatively few persons know that
the man who to-day controls one OF the
greatest railroad systems in the world WAS
fifty-two years ago. His father. William
ii. Vanderbilt. had been sent 10 a farm
on Staten island by the Commodore. and
ii there that all William HIS children
were born. Young Cornelius. after an edu-
cation in the ordinary scaoois. went 10
work i'm the Shoe and Leather Bank ard
lived his salary From there Inc went
to the banking house OF Nissan Brothers.
and about this time the old Commodore
recalled William II; from the farm 20 help
Shortly after young Cornelius. then barely
OF age. became assistant treasurer OF the
Harlem railroad ard subsequently treas
urer On the death of the Commodore.
William II. Vanderbilt became treasurer
of the Harlem and Cornelius wee presi-
dent of the Harlem and first vice president
of the Central. with control OF its entire
financial affairs. The S5.0o0.00 left him by
his grandfafh her he investe. wisely. doub-
ling it. Ever since then he has made the
Vanderbilt railroad system. its manage
ment and extension. his daily work. In
like his brothers. whose chief interests IN
he cares first for business and next tor
the pleasure OF making himself felt power
fully. yet unostentationsiy; in many
was in New York il was his habit TO 20
TO h. office i'm the Grand Central Station
and eep thoroughly in touch with All 'he
spi' effort and time that this takes.
he leisure for many other matters.
nc thing lie Is actively interested IN
re IS matters. lie Is. TO a certain ex-
tep,. working member OF 81. Bartholo-
news Church and liberal giver 20 is
G. A. Is favorite of his. too. and he does
not limit his enthusiasm TO giving: he goes
TO its meetings and addresses them, Edn
for him. He gave Vanderbilt Hall 10 Yale
and Yale gave the degree OF NJ. A 10 him
He has been much Interested I'm Columbia
College also. and was prominent figure
AT the recent dedication exercises He has
given largely 10 st. I.uke's Hospital the
Protestant Episcopal Cathedral the Metro
politan Museum of Art and Columbia Col
lege. and considerably TO score- 20 other
institutions where his gifts. nave peen
kept from publicity his request
OF his fortune many estimates have been
made. His grandfather left him S.0oo,oo.
which he doubled before he came into his
share OF his fathers fortune. So 65o.ooa.
Besides this he had for life s5.l50oo0 BY
Investments. mainly in railroad stocks and
bonds--he doesn't believe IN real estate
he has probably doubled his fortune and
is worth to-day more than, 500. 00o. 600. IL
is said that he keeps the er1tire record OF
his investments always with him In a little
pocket account book.
When he was twenty-thre{ years old
Gwynne. OF Cincinnati ..efr eldest son.
William II, died In his junior year ~ Yale
College The fine dormitoFy on the Yale
father - = memorial - IN.