The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-13
Cornelius Vanderbilt.

The death Of Mr.. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT
yesterday ends life which practically was
brought to a close so far as concerns any
active part in the world of affairs, by the
paralytic stroke from which he suffered
three years ago. Since that time he had
done little more than keep burning the
spark Of vitality still remaining to him.
AS the eldest son Of the late WILLIAM H.
VANDERBILT there devolved on him at the
death OF his father large cares and respon-
sibilltles in the management OF the great
Vanderbilt estate, with its vast railroad
investments, and to the discharge Of these
he devoted himself with the most pains
taking assiduity and the most conscientious
sense Of duty. 1t was always with him.
duty first and pleasure afterward; and 1t
was the duty which chiefly concerned him,
for he was always a serious man. religious
in his tone and by temperament indis-
posed to the gayeties OF the society to
which he belonged. This grave cast Of
his character was indicated by the circum-
stance that he received the intelligence Of
| the sudden death Of his father while he was
| attending a meeting as one Of the directors
OF the American Bible Society.
| In every relation Of life CORNELIUS YAM
DERBILT exhibited himself as conserva-
tive and conscientious man, never brilliant,
| but always safe and considerable. His
| appearance typifled these mental and moral
| characteristics in him. He was in no way
n striking figure physically, but his whole
walk and conversation inspired confidence
in his uprightness and bore testimony to his
sobriety OF character. He came suddenly
into vast fortune, which made him nota-
bic throughout the world, but his head was
in no wise turned. 1t simply imposed on
him duty to be fulfilled and for the mere
| enjoyment Of 1t he had comparatively little
taste or ambition. He was always simple
and unobtrusivc, reserved and obviously
Of deep religious sense. This almost
Puritan-lke tone OF his character made
him seem n somewhat homogeneous figure
amid the state inseparable from his
great wealth, but none the less did he
sustain all the requirements OF his position
with dignity natural to him.
In his business affairs Mr.. VANDERBILT
was scrupulous in his exactitude and his
patience with details was exhaustless. The
shortness of his life, only SO years, is prob
ably attributable largely to his close and
minute attention to affairs which he might
have rclcgated to some subordinate but his
constitution OF character and habit OF minC
compelled him to take the unnecessary loat
on himself He was made for work before
play. Nor did he have any inclination tc
public life or for mere personal distinction
socially. His delight was in the manage
mcnt OF his business affairs and the drec
ton OF the many and vast railroad interests
which his conservatism made so valuabl,
to the public. Yet, in spite OF his devotion
to business he gave several hours OF every
working day to the various charitable anC
educational institutions in which he wa
interested. His own gifts for chartabl
purposes were undoubtedly great and fire.
Quent, but, with the modesty that was al
| essential part of his nature, he kept then
hidden.
His was not personality which offers
. figure for striking portraiture. Apart from