He then sold out his steam-boat interests and went into railroading—first in Harlem; then in New York and New Haven; cornering Norwich and Worcester. In 1863 he was made president of the New York and Harlem, with its stock at thirty dollars; its stock rose in August of that year to one hundred and seventy-nine dollars. From a combination against him, the stock fell heavily; his brokers bought till he had it all. Next year he operated a corner in the Harlem road, and, to avert a panic, settled at two hundred and eighty-five dollars a share. In 1865 he bought at a reduced price the control of the New York Central; in 1867 he became its president; in 1869 president of the Consolidated New York and Hudson River Railroad, with a thousand miles of track and over a hundred million dollars of capital under his control; in 1868 an eighty per cent. scrip dividend was declared on both roads; in spite of which shares rose to two hundred dollars each; when it was seen that the Vanderbilt party had a majority of the stock of the Lake Shore, they secured the control of the entire line from New York to Chicago. In his fight with Drew and others for the control of the Erie, he lost seven million dollars; but he got back five million dollars of it by legal proceedings. Of a constructive temperament, he created corporations which he so managed that they yielded large dividends, the capital then being increased in harmony with the earnings."—America's Successful Men.
Physically he was a splendid man. "He was tall, athletic, and brave; not very fond of books; but devoted to open-air life and sports; a fine swimmer; and a good oarsman and horseman; at the age of six he had already driven a race-horse at full speed; a fact to which he often referred in later years. In the quiet life of the farm, the sailing of boats, fishing, and other amusements, the future railroad-president gained the physical and mental vigor which, added to his striking appearance and sturdy, resolute character, made him a prince among men. He was a man of great physical vigor and striking personality; six feet tall; handsome; and with clear complexion. He was a man of few words. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress was one of his favorite books, and "There is Rest for
