Leaving school at age 14 to work as an errand boy on Wall Street, Edward Henry Harriman rose to become a central figure in American rail transportation. By the time of his death in 1909, he exerted control over major transit systems, leaving behind an estate valued between $150 million and $200 million.
Early Career and Acquisitions
Born in 1848 in Hempstead, New York, Harriman spent his early years working at the Greenwood Iron Furnace. He eventually followed his uncle into the financial district, becoming a member of the New York Stock Exchange by age 22. His interest in transportation was sparked through his father-in-law, who presided over the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad Company. In 1881, Harriman purchased the small Lake Ontario Southern Railroad, renamed it the Sodus Bay & Southern, and successfully sold it to the Pennsylvania Railroad.
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Harriman joined the board of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1897 and ascended to the presidency of the company in 1903. Simultaneously, he served as president of the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1901 to 1909. His strategic control expanded significantly, encompassing the Illinois Central, the Central of Georgia, the Saint Joseph and Grand Island, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and the Wells Fargo Express Company.
Expeditions and Personal Interests
In 1899, Harriman funded and joined a scientific mission to the Alaska coastline aboard the steamer SS George W. Elder. He also developed a notable interest in Japanese culture following a 1905 visit to Japan. Upon returning to the United States, he brought a group of Japanese ju-jitsu wrestlers to perform exhibitions, including a 1905 demonstration at the Columbia University gymnasium.
Estate and Legacy
In 1885, Harriman purchased the Arden estate in the Ramapo Highlands for $52,500. He later expanded this property to over 20,000 acres. Following his death at his residence in 1909, his widow donated a large portion of the land to the state of New York, forming what is now Harriman State Park. His legacy is also preserved through the E. H. Harriman Award, established in 1913 to promote railway safety.
Fast facts
- Born: 1848, Hempstead
- Died: 1909, Orange County
- Spouse: Mary Williamson Averell
- Key Employer: Union Pacific Corporation
- Estate value at death: $150 million to $200 million
- Notable Expedition: 1899 Alaska coastline survey
Questions readers ask
What major transportation companies did Harriman control?
At the time of his death, he controlled the Union Pacific, the Southern Pacific, the Illinois Central, the Central of Georgia, the Saint Joseph and Grand Island, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and the Wells Fargo Express Company.
How did he contribute to state land preservation?
After his death, his widow donated 10,000 acres of their private Arden estate to the state of New York, which eventually became Harriman State Park.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Union Pacific Corporation
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