The Indianapolis journal., 1896-07-26
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT
HIS PHYSICIANS REGARD HIS CON-
DITION AS VERY SERIOUS.
A shrewd and Successful Business
Man-What He Has Done I'm Fi-
nance, Society and for Charity.
Chicago Chronicle.


elder The family physicians. after hasty
examination of the patient, announced that
he had been stricken with partial paralysis.
superinduced in all probability by severe
mental strain and worry. Inasmuch as
William ii. Vanderbilt, the father of Cor
nelius. was stricken somewhat similarly
and died within a few minutes. grave fears
we're expressed for the, safety of the
famous financier. and messages were sent
in all directions summoning to his bedside
the numerous relatives and intimate friends
of the family. Although the attending
physicians, in the latest bulletins. have
nounced that their distinguished patient is
out OF danger from the present attack, the
continued arrival Of anxious knfolk and
physicians are regarded indications of
the critical nature of Mr. Vanderbilt's ILL
ness. 1t is evident that another stroke Of
the deadly paralysis is feared, and every
precaution is being taken to prepare the
patient for it.
The railroad magnate, whose fortune is
estimated at more than slOOOO0.OO0. lies in
a large room on the second floor of his
Fifth avenue palace. The windows open
on the avenue and on Fifty-seventh street.
The roadway in front and rear of the house
is covered with tanbark TO deaden the noise
of passing vehicles and watchman has
been placed in the front door TO prevent
the entrance of anyone not relative or
intimate friend of the family. Ever since
the news of his illness became known a
curious crowd has invaded the vicinity of
the mansion, gazing idly at the windows
and necessitating the presence OF a detach
ment of police to keep the sidewalks pass
able. The vast fortune of the sick man is
discussed in undertones the noisy thor
oughfare, and those who have indirectly
been the recipients of his annual charities
speak his name with reverence. He was al
ways a grave, reserved man, insistent upon
religious observances. His annual dona-
tions to charity during the past ten years
are said TO have been about $J0O.O00 por-
tion of which has gone to various churches.
The present Cornelius Vanderbilt second
ten ol 'fs isand m,Iie Nov 81 is His father Was
William H. Vanderbilt, and his mothers
maiden name was Maria Louisa Nissan.
He was the eldest son. his brothers being
William Nissan. Frederick William and
George Washington He was educated In
private schools and trained by his father
most of his manhood in his fathers house
at Fortieth and Fifth avenue. which was
built in 1858.
While never regarded as a liberal man
in the accepted sense of the term. Cornelius
always lived in style bettting his wealth,
and inheriting the prudent strain OF his
grandfather and the enterprise of his faith
er, he had no difficulty in managing his
vast affairs. He has a good head for bust
ness but cares little for the detail drudg-
cry. which he has been very successful in
finding men of the highest capacity to do.
In 1877 his grandfather died. leaving the
bulk of the greatest fortune in America to
William H.. the father of Cornelius the
second. The estimated sum was over $50
GOO OOO and it was carefully husbanded and
largely increased. so that when William H
died. in 1885. he left S5.000.000 to each of
eight children. TO Cornelius 2OOg.OOO more.
81. 900 eco to Cornelius's eldest son twho diedl.
81 ocO. GOO 70 benevolent objects and the ball
ance to Cornelius and William X. in equal
shares subject tn an annuity of 00O per
annum to be paid to their mother during
have been $50 OOOO 600 to $50, 600 900 for each of
the sons.
HIS RAILROAD CAREER.
For number of years Cornelius was in
the offices of the New York Central & Hud-
son River railroad. and in 1882. on his faith
er's retirement from the presidency of the
New York Central and Michigan Central
railroads he was elected chairman of the
board of directors. He was treasurer OF
the New York & Harlem railway from 1861
to 1877, vice president from 1877 to 1886 and
president afterward. He also became presi-
dent of the Canadian Southern in 1883 and
was until recently on twenty-four boards
of directors and kindred corporations.
Of late years he has retired from active
or even nominal interest in many railroads,
being represented by trusted agents. His
son. Cornelius. jr.. for several years has
been in the offices of the New York Central
railroad. receiving a thorough training.
with n view TO succeeding his father in the
! active management of his immense railroad
| interests.
His wealth is now estimated to be over
s1OO OG0000 His business ventures have in
| variab bly, Secn profitable. although never
projected On gigantic lines. He has never
| dustriously along the established line OF
money breeding money. He has been the
! financial agent Of his brother. William X.
sisters. Mrs. Elliott +. Shepard. Mrs. Ham
ilton AicI<. Twombly. Mrs. Seward WebD
looked uDon not only as the head of the
house but as its iinancier:
XHars 1E9 HsnrT ne 6ed af yae
| and from that time his hopes have been
centered on his second son. Cornelus,
against his fathers will is supposed to have
been instrumental in bringing on the pres
ent attack of illness. The father s opposi-
between the age OF his son. who Is twenty
! three and Miss Wilson. who is somewhat
| older. Because of the opposition of the
elder Cornelius. which was persistent and
| bitter. the announced marriage has been
| DELAYED beyond the days OF two announce
ments.
\
| gagement of his daughter Gertrude to
| Henry Payne Whitney. son of William {.
/ Whitney. The young man was the cnur1
| at Yale Of the Young William ii. who died.
| and his marriage to Gertrude has long been
| looked upon as probable by their friends
| The ARRANGEMENT recently announced was
| for wedding this fall
| HIS HOMES.
! Mr. Vanderbilt's homes have been the
| Breakers at Newport and the huge town
| house in which he now lies stricken. He
has cared little for horses. in which his
| father delighted less for yachts. in which
his brother William X. finds pleasure. and
| nothing for forestry, which is George
| washingtons ruling passion. Had he beer
the founder OF the immense Vanderbilt for
/ tune he could not have been more steady
| and snethodical man of business.
| His grandfather thought more or him
| than of all his other grandchildren. as was
| evidenced by the old Commodores leaving
him g. O000o0 in his will. And ii was be-
| cause of that confidence more than because
of his seniority. that all his family mas mas
| looked up to him. The discipline OF his
children has been severe, only Gertrude es
| Gaping from it. and she because OF the
strength OF her character and the fact tna'
| she was ever her fathers favorite-
| Unless the recent attachment or young
Cornelius 70 Miss Wilson has caused his
! father TO alter will. made years ago. hs
! the other children will not be so far be
| hind him. Young Cornelius has been II
| had health lately having suffered much
| from rheumatism, Aggravated by too close
| attention to business. He has been absent
| from his desk for two months and II was
- IL 49,