Research topic: Edward Henry Harriman

Edward Henry Harriman 1848-1909, American railroad executive, b. Hempstead, N.Y.; father of William Averell Harriman . He became a stockbroker in New York City and soon entered the railroad field, where he attracted attention by able management of the Illinois Central RR, of which he became a director (1883) and vice president (1887). He became executive committee chairman of the Union Pacific in 1898 and repossessed for it the Oregon Short Line. By purchase of the holdings of Collis P. Huntington , he secured control not only of the Southern Pacific RR but also of the Central Pacific RR.... Read more