The Washington herald., 1908-04-30

The funeral of Frederic w Huidekoper
railroad magnate and prominent mem
Der OF Washingtons financial world. who
died yesterday morning. after a long III
ness, viii take place tomorrow afternoon
from his late residence. 1914 Eighteenth
street. Burial will be IN Oak Hill Gene
terry
Although Ill long time, Mr. Huldeko-
per's death was not expected. He is sur
vived by his wife and two sons, Freder-
ic L. Huidekoper and Reginald S. Huide-
koper.
Born in Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Huidekoper was born at Pomona
Hall, Meadville, Pa, September u, lS40
He was the second son Of Edgar and
Frances Shipper Huidekoper.
He was graduated from Harvard Col
lege in 1862 with the degree of a. B., and
received the degree of A NJ from the
same institution in 1871 In 1863 he served
as captain in the Fifty-eighth Pennsylva-
MIA Regiment. participating In the opera
tions along the Ohio River and in the
capture Of Gen. John H. Morgan.
Mr., Huidekoper's railroad career was
unique. He never held a position below
that Of first vice president. In 1877 he be-
came the first president of the Chicago
and Eastern Illinois Railroad Company.
and in 1881 the President Of the Evans
Vile and Terre Haute Railroad. from
both Of which positions he resigned in
1872 on account of i'll health.
In November. 1888, Mr.. Huidekoper came
to Washington, which has since been his
residence. In 1851 he was offered the
presidency Of the Canadian Pacific Rail-
way which he declined in order to ac-
cept the position as first vice president
of the Richmond and Danville system
(the present Southern Railway. with alb
sOlute control
Mr. HuidekOpeT also became first vice
president OF the Richmond and West
Point Terminal Railway and Warehouse
Company, and Of the Virginia Midland
Railway. In 1886 he was made the president
of the Virginia Midland Railway. Under
Mr. Huidekoper's management the earn
ings of the Richmond and Danville sys-
tenn greatly increased, and the stock rose
from IS TO 235.
Unique RaiIFORding Feat.
In the spring of 1856 he had the entire
main lines south Of Danville, Va. chang
ed in one day from five feet to the
standard gauge OF feet s inches-a
unique feat IN railroading-and the
through trains from New York to New
Orleans were delayed only two hours by
this remarkable operation. The Con
gressional Limited train on the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad, first run on January Is,
1856 was the result Of the suggestion
made by Mr.. Huidekoper to Mr.. Frank
Thomson. then first vice president Of the
Pennsylvania.
IN 1857. Mr.. HuidekOper resigned from
MS position TO become president of the
Virginia. Tennessee & Carolina Steel and
Iron Company-now the Interstate Coal
and Iron COmpany-and in 1888 was made
the president and receiver Of the Pitts
burg. ShenangO & Lake Erie Railroad.
a position he held until 1891. From 1880
to 1892 he was president OF the South
Atlantic & Ohio Railroad. and built the
line from Bristol TO Big Stone Gap.
In 1896 and 1887 Mr.. HuidekOpeT as
sumed the presidency of the Chicago,
Peoria and St Louis Railway, and since
1901 has been the president Of the United
Land Company, Of Florida, the successor
Of the Disston Land Company, whose
drainage operations have reclaimed an
immense tract in Southern Central Flor
ida.
For forty years Mr. Huidekoper had
also been a trustee of the Meadvtlle
Theological School, the leading Unitarian
divinity school in the United States,
founded by his grandfather in 1874.
Brought Southern Offices Here.
To Mr.. Huidekoper Washington is IN
debted for the location in this city OF
the main offices of the Southern Rail
way BY his direction the road pur-
chased the old Pension Building, at Thir-
teenth street and Pennsylvania avenue,
and established its principal Offices here.
The Capitalization Of the business OF
such a large railway system in this city
marked an epoch in the growth of the
National Capital.
For many years Mr.. Huidekoper had
been identified with the opening up and
Improvement of West Washington. His
efforts had been largely instrumental in
securing assistance from Congress for the
development Of that section.
Mr. Huidekoper was a member of the
Metropolitan, Country. and Chevy Chase
clubs, of Washington, and Of the Uni
versity and Harvard clubs, Of New York
He was also a member of the Society OF
Colonial Governors. Of the Society Of