Cornelius Vanderbilt II
Cornelius "Corneil" Vanderbilt II (November 11, 1843 – September 12, 1899) was an American socialite and a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family. Noted forebears. He was the favorite grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who bequeathed him $5 million, and the eldest son of William Henry "Billy" Vanderbilt (who bequeathed him about $70 million) and Maria Louisa Kissam. In his turn, he succeeded them as the chairman and the president of the New York Central and related railroad lines in 1885. Early life. Cornelius Vanderbilt II was born on November 27, 1843, on Staten  Island, New York to William Henry Vanderbilt (1821–1885) and Maria Louisa Kissam. Career. Vanderbilt established a reputation for a strong work ethic while clerking at the Shoe and Leather Bank in New York City. This endeared him to his grandfather, the 'Commodore,' who was a strong believer in personal industry. Vanderbilt was active in numerous organizations, including the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York, YMCA, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Trinity Church, St. Bartholomew's Church, Sunday Breakfast Association, and the Newport Country Club. Personal life. On February 4, 1867, he married Alice Claypoole Gwynne (1845–1934), daughter of  Abraham Evan Gwynne and Rachel Moore Flagg. The two met at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church where both taught Sunday School. Together, they had: A stroke in 1896 compelled him to reduce his active business involvement. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after 6 a.m. on September 12, 1899, at his home, West Fifty-seventh Street, in Manhattan, New York City. On his death, family leadership passed to his first brother, William Kissam Vanderbilt. His philanthropy had been such that he did not increase the wealth that had been left to him. His estate at the time of his  death was appraised at $72,999,867, $20 million of which was real estate. $73 million is equivalent to $ in dollars. His 70-room summer residence, The Breakers, is a major landmark of Rhode Island. Descendants. Through his son, Reginald, he was the grandfather of Gloria Laura Vanderbilt, the socialite and fashion designer, and the great-grandfather of news anchor Anderson Hays Cooper. Through his son, Alfred, he was the grandfather of William Henry Vanderbilt III, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr., and George Washington Vanderbilt III. Legacy. The Fifth Avenue mansions he, his brothers, and his sons lived in  have been demolished, but the Newport, Rhode Island vacation home he built, "The Breakers", still stands as a memory of his lifestyle.