Year: 1869

sailed up the Bosphorus and stopped at Constan-
tenople and Medina, and in fact at all the leading
historical ports and cities In Europe. Everywhere
they were received with the most distinguished
consideration. Every one remembers-and the fact
Will ever stand forth beautiful record IN his
memory-hOw on his return his nrst salute was TO
Ehe cottage OF MS venerable mother on Staten
Island.


MS NOBLE GIFTS To THE GOVERNMENT.


Fresh In eternal remembrance OF every patriotic
by Commadore Vanderbilt to onr government OF tne
noble steamer bearing his name twas at most
critical period IN the late war. The rebel ram Mer-
rimac had made foray down the Elizabeth river
and destroyed OF Newport News the naval United
states frigates Congress aud Cumberland Her
temperance was momentarily expected, our
naval fleet and transports were threatened with
destruction at hehands. Fort Monroe with Its
parapet bristng with monster guns, was In trepri-
dallon. Commodore Vanderbilt came to the rescue,
aud gave his steamer TO the government. President
Lincoln, the Secretary OF War and the Commodore
were on board expecting the Merrimac to again
show herself and anxious to meet ner. Tue Mer-
rimac DID not come, but the GIT and the patriotic
Is well known showed Its appreciation OF the gilt
By voting him gold medal. This medal Is three
inches In diameter, one-eghth OF an inch thick and
weighs SIX ounces. On one side Is the CommOdore's
likeness, and underneath the words, "A grateful
country TO her generous son. On the otner side are
representations In reiteuo In the foreground OF
the Goddess Of Riches and the Goddess or the Sea-
In the background Is representation or the steamer
Vanderbilt. More. valuable 70 the Commodore is
ths medal than all his scrips OF stocks.


Something more precious than steamship Com
modore Vanderbilt gave TO the country. He gave
his Youngest son, Captain Vanderbilt, in manly
height grace OF form and strength, the exact pic
ture OF himself in his younger days. He was
graduate OF West Point, and one OF the most prom
ising young men IN the army. The fatigues and
miasmas OF the Corinth campaign planted IN his
magnificent frame the seeds of DEATH He died. as Ia
well known during the war.


COMMODORE VANDERBILT As THE RArLR DAD KING.


Several years ago Commodore Vanderbilt began
Withdrawing his capital from steamers and invest
ing II In railroads. He Is now the railroad king OF
this continent. lie owns more railroad STOCK tnan
any man in this country. He owns nearly the entiee
OF the Harlem Railroad He Is controlling owner OF the
hudson ker m M haroaa ne mas aIse ny nsar
ali the New Jersey Railroad IL Is useless to undertake
TO give the extent OF ns railroad domnlons. lie
has had to night battles In courts and out OF them:
In almost every instance thus far he has succeeded
In accomplishing tlat great stirringpurpose OF his


MS WEALTH AND SECRET OF SUCCESS


He is unquestionably today the third richest man
in this country-Mr A. T. Stewart and WIN. b. Astor
only taking precedence OF HIM. Nothing Is more
remarkable than the ease with which ne con-
duets duets his extended and complicated business; business.
he keeps scarcely any books but carries
all his affairs in his head and MANAGES
Like Mr.. A. I. Stewart, he possesses the marvellous
power OF leaving his business in his office and never
thinking OF it during his hours OF recreation.


What Is the secret OF your success ~ gentleman
asked him not long since.


''Tnere Is no secret about It, All you have TO do ID
to attend to your business and go ahead"


"And that's allsn


Except one thing and that Is tell VIII at you
are going 10 do till you have done It,"


GRAND TRIBUTE TO HIS sUCCEss-THE BRONZE


STATUE.


A very positive admiration or the appreciation OF
his is the subscription by admirers OF the
Commodore Of over $3.50 for the erection Of the
colossal bronze statue and allegorical bass relief
height OF the mammoth Hudson river freight
depot, on the former site OF St. Johns Park.
the description OF this statue, and how In bass reliel
IS to be illustrated the career ana achievements OF
the Commodore, have been fully set forth In the
don and PARIS and the leading cities OF the old
world have statues erected in their public places 10
perpetuate the deeds and memories OF those who
have achieved signal regulations as military or
naval commanders In the fields OF commerce or
letters, the arts our city Is totally deficient OF
these tributes to commanding genius There Is none
more deserving OF such tribute than Commodore
Vanderbilt He is the exponent OF business pros
perIty and success in the New World. The statue in
the grandeur Of Its conception and design and In It's
colossal proportions Is worthy or his fame and his
memory. But such monument should not be
allowed concea ment and obscurity in a freight rail-
road depot in part OF the city where but few OF the
people ever CO. anu where strangers never nnd sner
cincts OF our noble PARK, where everybody goes ana
where everybody will see It, 1t is TO be hoped that
the progress to have placed In the Park
may successful. Ii Will be perpetual biographical
sketch OF the Commodore The millions visiting the
Park can mere reaa this sketch and drink In the
grand lessons OF It's teachings.


PERSONAL LIFE


We must crowd the Commodore's personal life
into a few lines lie married Miss Sophia Johnson,
the daughter Of neighbor on Staten Island, when
he was nineteen. Thirteen children. nine sons ana
four daughters, were the fruits of this marriage.
At the celebration OF his golden wedding lew years
ago about 100 OF his descendants anu relatives
assembled at his house. On that pleasing occasion
he gave his wife, VIII be remembered, beautiful
little golden steamboat with musical works, instead
OF an engine-emDlematcal at once OF his business
career ana the harmony OF his home. She died
little over year ago. She was a most worthy and
estlmabie lady, and materially assisted In building
up her husbands great fortune. HIS second wiie-
his present br1de-came from Mobile, Ala. she
belonged to aristocratlc family which before the
war was quite wealthy, but through its effects
was reduced TO poverty She was formerly
married, but on grounds OF lncompatblly OF temper
y
she lived alone with her MOTHER and, being reduced,
took scholars to instruct In music. Sue also assumed
her maiden name OF Miss Frank Crawford, by which
name she was married to The Commodore. She IS
said TO be talented ana highly accomplished, though
not very beautiful Her age Is said to be thrty-four.
Ii was not altogether a May and December wooing,
although the circumstances OF the wedding go 10
show that the old Commodore acted as he always
has through nfe-0n his own judgment-and that his
success here not telling what he was going TO
do until after he had done 1t. However, the Com
modore, though now having completed his seventy
ffth year las all the vlgor of ordinary men at the
age OF fifty. He stands as erect as ever, still has
rosy complexion, and the wrinkles o. time are
scarcely noticeable on his broad and manly brow.
AS is well known. he keeps some OF the finest and
fastest horses IN the city. Every pleasant afternoon
he may be seen driving in the PARK, and his tall
figure Is almost always prominent at exciting races.
He has never dabbed in politics. and some years ago
came out Ia a very wrathful letter because IL was
lntmated that one OF MS sons was seeking an
appointment III the Treasury Department. Tie Is
Joyial companion ana a lover OF u good game OF
whist, good dinner, good cfgar and bottle OF
good old port lie dresses plainly, generally III Diack,
and has weakness Tor white cravats, but there Is
nothing ministerial IN his conversation or bearing.
He does not go much to churches, and no one ever
sees his name on Inscription paper or ever will.
In his charities, which are numerous and LIBERAL he
exhibits the reticence which marks hts conduct
bug and pretentlous show His career, OF which
the above are only the leading points, is one which
young men may study with profit.