page_title: C. K. G. Billings
section_title: Later life
hierarchical_section_title: C. K. G. Billings / Later life
caption_attribution_description: English: CKG Billings with his horse Lou Dillon
context_page_description: Cornelius Kingsley Garrison Billings was an American industrialist tycoon, philanthropist, art collector, and a noted horseman and horse breeder. An eccentric man, Billings invested much of his time and money promoting the sport of trotting, also known as "harness racing" or "matinee racing".
context_section_description: In 1911, Billings became the Chairman of the Board of Union Carbide and Carbon Company – a company he helped to found – he held that position until his death in 1937. His mother died in 1913, leaving him $450,000; at that time his net worth was estimated to be $30 million, equivalent to $776 million in 2019.  At one time he was reported to be one of the five richest men in the United States.
  Around 1915, Billings – a member of the Turf and Field Club at Belmont Park – was said to be the owner of the fastest stallion, mare, and gelding in the world.  He was also part-owner of the Kentucky Derby-winning Omar Khayyam. He was the principal investor in the Billings Parks race track in Memphis, Tennessee, which eventually closed because of anti-betting laws passed by that state.  At one time he bought a controlling interest in the Kentucky Breeder's Association, preventing it from going under. The association was reorganized, and Billings later donated his stock to the group.
  After moving to California in 1917, Billings maintained ownership of "Farnsworth" on Long Island, where he kept some of his horses.  Others were kept at the Glenville Race Track in Cleveland, Ohio.
  In 1926, Billings sold his art collection, which included works by Jean-Charles Cazin, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, John Crome, Charles-François Daubigny, Jules Dupré, Charles Jacque, Jean-François Millet, Théodore Rousseau, Constant Troyon, and Félix Ziem for $401,300. In 1928 he realized $4 million for the sale of the Johnson Building, located on Exchange Street from Broad Street to New Street. He was also part of a group of investors who built the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, which opened in 1930.
  After being in bad health for ten years, Billings was reported to be seriously ill on May 3, 1937, and he died from pneumonia on his estate at Billings Park, near Santa Barbara, on May 6. At the time of his death, he was still the chairman of the board of the Union Carbide Carbon Company, and was described as  "one of America's wealthiest men" and "Santa Barbara's wealthiest and most philanthropic citizen". His funeral was held in Santa Barbara on May 8, and he buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.
  
  Despite the horseback dinner, Billings was eulogized as a modest and philanthropic man:
  Personally Mr. Billings was a man of retiring, modest, nature, who shunned the limelight except when driving or riding one of his horses upon the race course, always dressed very quietly, and in every way made himself as inconspicuous as possible. He was happiest when surrounded by the small circle of intimate friends that he best-loved ... He was the loyalest of friends and when he had once given his good will to a man it was never withdrawn unless it had been abused. His benefactions and gifts were boundless and in them, he took the greatest pleasure. In all social relations he was the reverse of pompous, arrogant or domineering, was democratic and genial and, that rarest of all things—always the same admirable and wonderful character in every spot and place, at all times and seasons and under all circumstances.
caption: C.K.G. Billings with his horse Lou Dillon in 1903
exif: {"Image ExifOffset": "26"}