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Born
Cornelius was born on May 27, 1794 on Staten island, New York. -
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Shipbuilding
When he was at the age of 18, Cornelius went to the government to supply neighboring outposts. He learned the art of shipbuilding. -
first wife
In 1813 Cornelius married his cousin Sophia Johnson. They had 13 children. -
Steamboat Industry
IN the 1817 Cornelius worked at the ferry boat as a ferry captain. He worked for a business man who owned a steamboat service. -
Gibbon's Company
When Thomas Gibbon's died in 1826 Vanderbilt wanted to buy the Gibbon's company but Thomas's son didn't want to sell it. Vanderbilt then bought many boats and a Dispatch line that ran through New York City and Philadelphia. But after all of that Vanderbilt still forced Gibbon's son to buy him out. -
Shipping lines
In the 1830, Vanderbilt built many shipping lines that ran through New York. His people that were then going against him couldn't keep up so they then paid him too take his bushiness somewhere else. With that being said he shifted to the Hudson River, and then he focused on the Hudson River Steamboat Association. -
Becoming a millionaire
When President Andrew Jackson named his service "people's line" offering cheap fares. The association then bought him out for $100,000 and other payments of $5,000. This business made Vanderbilt a millionaire several times. Vanderbilt also became a millionaire with the Railroad Business. -
Railroad industry
In 1860 Cornelius switched his business to the Railroad industry instead of the shipping industry. He gained his money by owning and operating railroads that ran through Chicago and New York. -
Taking over the Railroads
At the age of 70 Cornelius took over the railroads. He had them running through New York City and the four corners of Chatham. Then a year after he took control of Hudson River Railroads. They ran through Albany and New York City. -
Second Wife
One year after his first wife Sophia Johnson died in 1868 he married another cousin. -
Final years for Vanderbilt
Cornelius had lots of money but he didn't like to give it away. The only donation he made was the $1 million to build the Endow Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee. -
Death
Cornelius died at the age of 82 on January 4, 1877 in his Manhattan home. He was then buried in the Moravian Cemetery in New Dorp, Staten Island.
