-Caveat Lector- from: http://www.icrrhistorical.org/edward.harriman.html <A HREF="http://www.icrrhistorical.org/edward.harriman.html">E. H. Harriman</A> ----- The Edward H. Harriman Story EDWARD H. HARRIMAN (1848-1909): E. H. Harriman was born in Hempstead, New York, son of an Episcopal clergyman. At age 14, he began work as an office boy in a New York brokerage house: 8 years later he bought his own seat on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1879, Harriman married Mary Averell, the daughter of the president of the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad. In 1881 Harriman bought control of the Sodus Bay and Southern Railroad, a short line running south from the shore of Lake Ontario. He improved the line, then set the New York Central and Pennsylvania bidding against each other for it. Pennsy bought it, and Harriman soon went after a larger railroad, the Illinois Central. By 1883 he was on the IC's board of directors and within a few years he had left the brokerage house he had established and became vice-president of the road. He launched an expansion program for the Illinois Central but looking ahead, was able to curtail it so the railroad could weather the Panic of 1893. In 1898 Harriman took over the Union Pacific. In 1901 Harriman bought the Southern Pacific and shortly afterward bought the Central Pacific. He rounded out his system with the Chicago & Alton and the Central of Georgia. He attempted to buy first the Burlington and then the Northern Pacific but was thwarted by James J. Hill of the Great Northern. In 1908 he came to the rescue of the chronically troubled Erie and added that to his empire. Harriman was not one to buy a railroad for a quick profit. He believed that the financial yield would be considerably greater if the railroad's property was improved and its affairs well managed. Harriman established standards for locomotives, cars, bridges, structures, signals, and even such items as paint and stationery. Harriman's financial interest in the Union Pacific passed to his son, W. Averell Harriman, who was chairman of the Union Pacific's board from 1932 to 1946. The younger Harriman was also on the IC's Board until 1960, and was well known for his work in politics and international relations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Portions of this text were drawn from: The Historical Guide to North American Railroads, compiled by George H. Drury, Librarian, TRAINS MAGAZINE, Kalmbach Publications ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End Kris DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
