Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-16
SIR WILLIAM VAN HORNE DEAD
Noted Railroad Man Was Said to he
the "IIiIl and Hartman" Of
Canada.

Sir william Van Horne, aged 20. for
years prominent in transcontinental rail-
road development in Canada. died in the
Royal Victoria hospital at Montreal
Saturday. Sir William had been III at the
hospital for more than two weeks. He
went there on the recommendation OF his
doctors for an operation of abdominal
abscess. For time after the operation
was performed there were indications
he would recover. Grave symptoms,
however, developed early last week. and
since then Sir william has been gradual
ly failing.
Sir William Van Horne rose from the
foot Of the ladder to wealth and fame as
one Of the so-callcd empire builders of
Canada. Although he was born in the
United States In VIII county. Ill.,. Feb.
ruary 3, 1S43, and gained railway expert
ence through many years connection
with railroads in the central and western
United States. 1t was after his moving to
Canada and becoming general manager OF
the Canadian Pacific railway in 1882 that
he achieved his most nota BILE triumph b.
pushing the railway to completion across
the continent.
All the rest OF his active life he was
one Of the heads OF the Canadian Pacific
being vice-presidcnt from 1884 to 1855,
president from 1855 to 1890. and chairman
Of the board of directors from 1899 to
1910.
Sir William was the son OF Cornelius
Covenhoven Van Horne, who was q
lawyer at Joliet. III. The death Of his
father left young Van Horne to fight the
1Not - o., l.
of age. It appears he was fascinated
from the first with the life OF a railway
man. for his first Job was In the railroad
yards. He soon afterward became a
telegraph operator for the Illinois Cen
trail. and his strides ahead in various
capacities with the Michigan Central rail.
way and the Chicago & Alton brought him
up to his first important executive posi-
ton as general superintendent Of the ST
Louis, Kansas City and Northern in 1872
Before going to Canada he also served as
general manager of the Southern Min
nesota railway and general superinten
dent Of the Chicago & Alton and the Chi
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
He superintendent the extension Of the
Canadian Pacific to the western coast
and was present at the driving Of the las,
spike on November T. 1855. The total
mileage which later came under his con-
troll was over $500. He was said to be
the "1fill and Hartman" OF Canada
Aside from his fame as a railroad build
er. Sir William became a master OF finance
and was often pointed out as one Of the
score Of men who formed the foundat ior
OF Canadian money. He was interested
as an officer or director OF a la rye p,rnhe,
of corporations In Canada the United
States and Cuba In the latter place he
formed the Cuba railway company with
capital OF 100000
He was knighted by Queen Victoria If
recognition OF the remarkable work ir
Canada, which included not only his rail
way and industrial interest, but semi
public service as governor of MECH
University. the Royal Victoria hospita
ana numerous other institutions, ant
notable contribution to the Canadian stor,
OF art treasures. The latter, which
filled his mansion in Montreal included
paintings by many Of the old master,
! and collections OF Japanese art object!
which altogether represent a fortune
During the advocacy In 1911 OF reel
procity between the United States ant
| Canada. Mr.. Van Horen was conspicuou.
as one OF those who opposed the idea
| One Of the illustrations with which h,
drove home his point was this: "Ou
trade Is sT per capita; that Of the United
| States is $33. In other words. tho waite
In our mill ponds stands at 81. theirs a
80. and they want us to take away tn,
dam"