The Robert Boyett's Of DuQuoin IL:Information about William Cornelius Van Horn
Sir William Cornelius Van Horn (b. 03 Feb 1843, d. 11 Sep 1915)
Notes for William Cornelius Van Horn:William Cornelius Van Horn's father died in 1854 leaving his mother and five children penniless so he went to work at an early age as a telegraph operator in Joliet, IL and soon began to acquire a knowledge of railroad operation and construction which led him to wealth and fame.
In 1881, he was asked to build the Canadian Pacific Rail road that was to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.....In 1904 he was knighted by Queen Victoria with the Order of the Garter, and several years later he was offered the office of Chancellorship of the Eschequer of England if he would become an English subject, but he declined the honor as he preferred loyalty to his Dutch American ancestry. He also built the Cuban Central Rail Road during the American occupation which was another difficult tas.
He was buried in the Oakwood Cemeteryf Joliet IL, ,where his grave is marked by a large rock taken from the Passamaquoddy Bay. The story of his life was written by Walter Vaugham in his book entitled "the Life and Work of Sir William Van Horne (TVHG p. 173)
More About William Cornelius Van Horn:
Burial: Unknown, Oakwood Cemetery Joliet Il.
More About William Cornelius Van Horn and <Unnamed>:
Marriage: 01 Mar 1867
Children of William Cornelius Van Horn are:
- Lucy Adaline Van Horn, b. 07 Jun 1868, d. 24 Feb 1941.
- William Cornelius Van Horn, Jr., b. 06 Oct 1871, d. 16 May 1876.
- +Richard Benedict Van Horn, b. 21 May 1877, d. 21 Aug 1931, St Andrews by the sea in New Brunswick.