by

Cornelius Vanderbilt

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 14:01:12 UTC

His Life

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 14:04:36 UTC

Vanderbilt was born on May 27, 1794 in Staten Island, NY. At 16 years old Vanderbilt started his own passenger ferry company. Around 1812 Vanderbilt was allowed ship military supplies to forts on the Hudson River. His business quickly became antiquated due to the invention of the steamboat. Vanderbilt opened up his own business of operating steamboats in the mid-1830's. As railroads were becoming popular Vanderbilt decided to venture into the railroad business. He eventually purchased four railways. He died at 82 years old, but he left quite a legacy to his children, grandchildren and the rest of America.

The Shipping Industry

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 14:20:17 UTC

In 1824 Vanderbilt began his business by buying a steamboat named "Bellona." His business became very popular because he was able to provide a low cost and new steamboats. His business was doing so well that business began to pay him to leave the Hudson River. His business did so well that by the mid-1840's he was operating more than 100 steamboats. He did so well that he was able to oversee a transatlantic steamship business.

The Railroad Industry

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 14:32:29 UTC

During the 1860's railways were becoming more popular and prominent. Vanderbilt started out his business by purchasing railways in New York. He provided low prices and better service to the customers, therefore his company became popular. Vanderbilt's business did so well that within five years he was able to make $25 million dollars. He purchased the Lake Shore and Michigan Railway, the Michigan Southern Railroad, the Canada Southern Railway and the Michigan Central Railroad. He wanted to purchase as much railway as possible, so he made his way towards Chicago.

Charity

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 14:39:18 UTC

After Vanderbilt's death he left the majority of his belongings and money to his son William. He also gave a large amount of money to his other nine children.

Other pieces of information about his life

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 14:46:35 UTC

Vanderbilt's father was illiterate and worked as a seaman. He dropped out of school to help his father work because of the death of one of his siblings.. His interest in the ocean began to flourish and he soon began to study everything about shipping businesses. He married Sophia Johnson on December 19, 1813. Sophia died and not too soon after Vanderbilt married Frank Armstrong Crawford 1869.

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 15:30:01 UTC

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 15:32:24 UTC

http://www.britannica.com/biography/Cornelius-Vanderbilt-American-industrialist-and-philanthropist

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 15:40:48 UTC

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 15:41:39 UTC

http://www.ourfamilystories.com/FrancesLouisaRelyea.htm

Works Cited

crowecupcake17 — 2015-12-30 15:42:25 UTC

“Cornelius Vanderbilt Biography.” The Biography.com. A&E Television Networks, n/a. Web. December 30, 2015.

Doll, Gaynelle. “Tales of the Commodore.” library.vanderbilt.edu. Vanderbilt University, December 5, 2012. Web. December 30, 2015.