https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf en-us 2016-12-15 18:35:14 UTC 2023-03-28 06:04:04 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Shakinghands.png kathryn_rainelle https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143939744 Also known as Commodore Vanderbilt, Cornelius was the wealthiest man in the U.S and probably one of the greatest railroad baron in the 19th century. Cornelius was born to pauperized parents in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York. His father made a living by operating low level transportation services. By age 11 he was employed by his father to work. ]]> 2016-12-15 19:31:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143939744 kathryn_rainelle https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143941070 Bought existing railroads rather than building new ones. He bought Long Island Rail Road, New York, and Harlem Railroad, along with Hudson River Rail Road. In 1867 he acquired the Central Rail Road and began to merge it with other railroads. After he was done achieving the railroads, he then began to focus on improving service and upgrading capital equipment while maintaining low fares. Two advancements that helped with his capital developments were the steel rail and a standard gauge of track width. ]]> 2016-12-15 19:36:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143941070 kathryn_rainelle https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143944341 When Cornelius was sixteen he convinced his parents to loan him $100 to start his own ferry and freight business. Cornelius agreed to share his profits with his parents. His business became successful and was able to pay back his parents the $100. The war of 1812 provided opportunities for growth. He expanded his company and then in 1818 became a steamboat captain partnering with Thomas Gibbons after selling off his ferry and freight business. Later in life, he realized that transportation by water was not the way to go and took a great interest in railroad transportation. Soon he started buying railroads with the money he had made from his water transportation companies.]]> 2016-12-15 19:47:35 UTC https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143944341 kathryn_rainelle https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143945659 Towards the end of his days Cornelius was encouraged by his wife Frances to donate one million dollars to Nashville's Central University. The Nashville Central University would become Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He also donated $50,000 to the Church of Strangers in New York City.]]> 2016-12-15 19:54:11 UTC https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143945659 kathryn_rainelle https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143948688 "Cornelius Vanderbilt." New Netherland Institute. The New Netherland Research Center, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant. 14th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.

"Cornelius Vanderbilt." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.]]> 2016-12-15 20:06:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kathryn_rainelle/t7gkfhhwjvyf/wish/143948688