The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-13
LIFE or CORNELIUS VASDERBfLE

LIFE or CORNELIUS VASDERBfLT
Born on n Farm Mastered RaiiroadinE-
His Home, His Charitable and Other Gifts.
Cornelius yanderbilt's succession to the
headshIp OF the family came naturally enough.
Hc was the oldest son Of William H. Wander
bit. He had shown from his earliest days the
qualities that had done most to accumulate the
great fortune with which the name OF Wander
bilt is connected. He was a worker from the
time OF his first employment as a bank clerk
and the advantages to which he was born could
never have been put to such use as he made OF
them had not his own personal characteristics
been OF the right kind. He was always ms
industrious and conscientious as II he had had
to earn his first dollar by his own exsrtions.
When he grew out OF the merely business
interests that had filed his earlier years. he
showed the same qualities in his philanthropy
and charity that had made him successful in
business. He gave intelligently and carefully.
bestowed his gifts on institutions and persons
that were deserving OF them ana where they
might do the greatest good He strove to make
the best use OF the millions. which as the head
Of the Vanderbilt family. he especially repre-
scented. He was cultivated man. not by virtue
Of his early education 30 much as by his later
studies OF men and life. In spite OF his devo-
ton to business there were few subjects on
which he had not informed himself. He was
not politician at any time. but he was con-
versant with every imr ortant phase OF Ameri-
can politics. He was man OF the world. not In
the customary sense OF the phrase. but In the
broader Significance which implies thorough
acquaintance with men. places and affairs.
The city benefited by his taste and liberality
in art Just as deserving religious institutions
Ia AL nv hia uDpruJRinR SUPPORT.
BORN ON THE STATEN ISLAND FARM.
Cornelius Vanderbilt was born at New Dorp.
Staten Island. on Nov p. 1S43. on tho farm to
which old Com odore Vanderbilt had exlled
william H.. when he had lost all patience with
william because the doctor had said that Will
liam's health was too poor for him to stand any
longer the combining life Of q bank clerk. The
old Com modors had little federation for such
weakness and he gave his son the farm on
Staten Island. with the injunction that he
might go down there and dig living out OF dirt.
IL he could. When Cornelius was born. there
was none OF the great wealth that came to
William Fl. later. to mako the home at New
Dorp. more than comfortable. The boy went
to the little country school in New Dorp until
he was 10 years old. Then his father decided
that his education was not yet complete and
sent him to the Duchess County Academy at
Scotchman. and It is looked upon as a charac-
teristic episode OF his youthful years. that he
ran away from the school after the discipline
OF it had become intolerab!e TO him.
BEGAN LIFE AS A BANK CLERK.
Within year after this he gave up schooling
entirely and went to work in the National Shoe
and Leather Bank. He got $50 month then
and was evidently worth 1t to his employers.
for his salary was raised to $40 and afterward
to $50. The president OF the bank In those
days had these words OF praiee for the young
clerk:
Cornelius was one OF the best boys We ever
had aud one OF the most conscientious work.
srs. II anything he was too conscientious
Tribes that the other clerks would think
nothing OF would worry him half to death.
and he would stay after time trying to correct
them. He was eminently industrious. fair and
square. and everybody liked him, although
believe none Of the boys knew him well"
1t was while he was employed In this way
that his grandfather was first attracted to this
one of his grandchildren. who had succeeded
fairly well in escaping his notice One day.
when he was still employed in the bank. his
grandfather stopped in to see him and pro-
posed trip to Europe. This astonished the
young man. whose life had hitherto been con.
fined strictly to business.
Il am going myself" said the Commodore.
and III sake you along II you want to 60"
And give up my salary" said the young m an.
well. l don't suppose It will 60 on while you
are gone" replied the Commodore. grimly.
Then guess I'd better stay" said the boy.
AT rwENTY-oNE WENT INTO RAIIRoADING.
He did not remain long in the bank.
however. for his grandfather's influence
soon made place for him in the
private banking house OF Ktssam Brothers.
His industry, capacity and conscientious
ness were again exhibited in his new employ
ment. and to reward these. his grandfather
made him Assistant Treasurer Of the Harlem
Railroad when he had reached his majority
From thai time he sat out to acquire a COM
plete knowledge OF railroading. which was ont
cause OF his great success. His father was
now President OF the Harlem Railroad. Young
Cornelius was different from any other assist
ant treasurer that had preceded him. He
performed. satisfactorily. all the clerical duties
OF his place and put himself into possession OF
all tho knowledge thers was to be had
concerning the financial system OF the
| road. and learned in the most practical
| way what a railroad was He showed
| the same interest in mechanics. which has
| lately developed In his son Cornelius.
learned how to put locomotive together.
! iamiliarized himself with all Its details. and
was able from this knowledge. to make some
| valuable suggestions as to methods OF cal
| building. All these Investigations into the
| practical nature OF what railroad man should
know did not interfere with his devotion to the
more commercial side OF his occupation. anG
his ability as fnapcier enabled him to de
light the heart Of the old Commodore with tn,
| accuracy and clearness OF his statements o
tho affairs Of the road.
Upon the donth OF his grandfather he re
csiveAIo fortune OF 81. 100000 and became Vice
President OF the Harlem Railroad and FRS
Vice President OF the Central. Of which he haC
entire control, as to it's financial affairs. H
became Chairman OF tho Board OF Directors o
the New York Central in 1893 30 early as thi
period. the multiplicity OF business. social ant
philanhrOpc duties he had assumed are sal,
to have begun to tell on his health. He ha'
d ,ubled. BY succcssiu! investment. the forum
left him by his grandfather and was said to b
worth SlO.0OOOOO when he became Vice
Pres dent OF the Harlem,
HIS HOUSE IN FIFTH AVENUE