Sidney Dillon
Encyclopedia
Sidney Dillon an America
railroad
executive and one the nations premier railroad builders.
. His father, Timothy, was a farmer.
He began his career in the industry working as a water boy on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of America's earliest railroads
, for its construction from Albany
to Schenectady, New York
.
In 1840 he went into business for himself, forming his own construction company, and obtaining the construction contract for the Boston and Albany Railroad
. Dillon married Hannah Smith of Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1841. The couple would have two daughters, Cora A. and Julia E. ("Julie"). Cora married Dr. Peter B. Wyckoff in 1875. Julia married Gilman Smith Moulton on March 1, 1894.
He was actively involved in the construction of numerous roads, his largest being the Union Pacific Railroad
, with which he became actively involved in 1865 through an equity exchange with the Crédit Mobilier of America corporation.
Crédit Mobilier of America was a company setup by the Union Pacific to defraud United States taxpayers in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad
. The result was the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
which exposed an over-invoicing and a stock & bond share pricing scheme, where by Union Pacific officers and directors, including Dillon, profited by manipulating the share price of Crédit Mobilier of America's stock shares and bonds, padding invoices to the U.S. Government, and bribing congressmen with shares in Crédit Mobilier of America, cash and other perks.
As one of the principal contractors for the Union Pacific, Dillon's vast experience in the construction of railroads proved invaluable. He took part in the laying of the last rail of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, receiving one of the ceremonial silver spikes used to complete the project.
Following 1870, Dillon was primarily known as a financier
, becoming involved with Jay Gould
in numerous ventures as well as serving on the board of directors of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
He finally served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1874 to 1884, and again from 1890 until his death in 1892.
(55th Street and 5th Avenue) on June 13.
He is interred under a distinctive Celtic cross at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.
Sidney Dillon (May 7, 1812—June 9, 1892-), an America
railroad
executive and one the nations premier railroad builders.
. His father, Timothy, was a farmer.
He began his career in the industry working as a water boy on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of America's earliest railroads
, for its construction from Albany
to Schenectady, New York
.
In 1840 he went into business for himself, forming his own construction company, and obtaining the construction contract for the Boston and Albany Railroad
. Dillon married Hannah Smith of Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1841. The couple would have two daughters, Cora A. and Julia E. ("Julie"). Cora married Dr. Peter B. Wyckoff in 1875. Julia married Gilman Smith Moulton on March 1, 1894.
He was actively involved in the construction of numerous roads, his largest being the Union Pacific Railroad
, with which he became actively involved in 1865 through an equity exchange with the Crédit Mobilier of America corporation.
Crédit Mobilier of America was a company setup by the Union Pacific to defraud United States taxpayers in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad
. The result was the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
which exposed an over-invoicing and a stock & bond share pricing scheme, where by Union Pacific officers and directors, including Dillon, profited by manipulating the share price of Crédit Mobilier of America's stock shares and bonds, padding invoices to the U.S. Government, and bribing congressmen with shares in Crédit Mobilier of America, cash and other perks.
As one of the principal contractors for the Union Pacific, Dillon's vast experience in the construction of railroads proved invaluable. He took part in the laying of the last rail of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, receiving one of the ceremonial silver spikes used to complete the project.
Following 1870, Dillon was primarily known as a financier
, becoming involved with Jay Gould
in numerous ventures as well as serving on the board of directors of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
He finally served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1874 to 1884, and again from 1890 until his death in 1892.
(55th Street and 5th Avenue) on June 13.
He is interred under a distinctive Celtic cross at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.
Sidney Dillon (May 7, 1812—June 9, 1892-), an America
railroad
executive and one the nations premier railroad builders.
. His father, Timothy, was a farmer.
He began his career in the industry working as a water boy on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of America's earliest railroads
, for its construction from Albany
to Schenectady, New York
.
In 1840 he went into business for himself, forming his own construction company, and obtaining the construction contract for the Boston and Albany Railroad
. Dillon married Hannah Smith of Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1841. The couple would have two daughters, Cora A. and Julia E. ("Julie"). Cora married Dr. Peter B. Wyckoff in 1875. Julia married Gilman Smith Moulton on March 1, 1894.
He was actively involved in the construction of numerous roads, his largest being the Union Pacific Railroad
, with which he became actively involved in 1865 through an equity exchange with the Crédit Mobilier of America corporation.
Crédit Mobilier of America was a company setup by the Union Pacific to defraud United States taxpayers in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad
. The result was the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
which exposed an over-invoicing and a stock & bond share pricing scheme, where by Union Pacific officers and directors, including Dillon, profited by manipulating the share price of Crédit Mobilier of America's stock shares and bonds, padding invoices to the U.S. Government, and bribing congressmen with shares in Crédit Mobilier of America, cash and other perks.
As one of the principal contractors for the Union Pacific, Dillon's vast experience in the construction of railroads proved invaluable. He took part in the laying of the last rail of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, receiving one of the ceremonial silver spikes used to complete the project.
Following 1870, Dillon was primarily known as a financier
, becoming involved with Jay Gould
in numerous ventures as well as serving on the board of directors of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
He finally served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1874 to 1884, and again from 1890 until his death in 1892.
(55th Street and 5th Avenue) on June 13.
He is interred under a distinctive Celtic cross at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
railroad
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
executive and one the nations premier railroad builders.
Biography
Dillon was born in Northampton, Fulton County, New YorkNorthampton, Fulton County, New York
Northampton is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. The name comes from an original land patent...
. His father, Timothy, was a farmer.
He began his career in the industry working as a water boy on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of America's earliest railroads
Oldest railroads in North America
- Early experimental railroads :*1720: A railroad is reportedly used in the construction of the French fortress at Louisburg, Nova Scotia.*1764: Between 1762 and 1764 a gravity railroad is built by British military engineers at the Niagara Portage in Lewiston, New York.*1795: A wooden railway on...
, for its construction from Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
to Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
.
In 1840 he went into business for himself, forming his own construction company, and obtaining the construction contract for the Boston and Albany Railroad
Boston and Albany Railroad
The Boston and Albany Railroad was a railroad connecting Boston, Massachusetts to Albany, New York, later becoming part of the New York Central Railroad system, Conrail and CSX. The line is used by CSX for freight...
. Dillon married Hannah Smith of Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1841. The couple would have two daughters, Cora A. and Julia E. ("Julie"). Cora married Dr. Peter B. Wyckoff in 1875. Julia married Gilman Smith Moulton on March 1, 1894.
He was actively involved in the construction of numerous roads, his largest being the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
, with which he became actively involved in 1865 through an equity exchange with the Crédit Mobilier of America corporation.
Crédit Mobilier of America was a company setup by the Union Pacific to defraud United States taxpayers in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad
First Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad line built in the United States of America between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad that connected its statutory Eastern terminus at Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska The First...
. The result was the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
The Crédit Mobilier scandal of 1872 involved the Union Pacific Railroad and the Crédit Mobilier of America construction company in the building of the First Transcontinental Railroad. The distribution of Crédit Mobilier shares of stock by Congressman Oakes Ames along with cash bribes to...
which exposed an over-invoicing and a stock & bond share pricing scheme, where by Union Pacific officers and directors, including Dillon, profited by manipulating the share price of Crédit Mobilier of America's stock shares and bonds, padding invoices to the U.S. Government, and bribing congressmen with shares in Crédit Mobilier of America, cash and other perks.
As one of the principal contractors for the Union Pacific, Dillon's vast experience in the construction of railroads proved invaluable. He took part in the laying of the last rail of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, receiving one of the ceremonial silver spikes used to complete the project.
Following 1870, Dillon was primarily known as a financier
Financier
Financier is a term for a person who handles typically large sums of money, usually involving money lending, financing projects, large-scale investing, or large-scale money management. The term is French, and derives from finance or payment...
, becoming involved with Jay Gould
Jay Gould
Jason "Jay" Gould was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. He has long been vilified as an archetypal robber baron, whose successes made him the ninth richest American in history. Condé Nast Portfolio ranked Gould as the 8th worst American CEO of all time...
in numerous ventures as well as serving on the board of directors of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
He finally served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1874 to 1884, and again from 1890 until his death in 1892.
Death
Dillon died at his home at 23 West Fifty-Seventh Street in New York City, after a twelve-week illness, at the age of 80. Funeral services were held at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian ChurchFifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
The Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church is a large congregation of the Presbyterian Church . The church was founded in 1808 as the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church and has been located on Fifth Avenue at 55th Street in midtown Manhattan since 1875. It has approximately 3,250 members from a variety...
(55th Street and 5th Avenue) on June 13.
He is interred under a distinctive Celtic cross at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.
Legacy
- His great grandson Sidney Dillon RipleySidney Dillon RipleySidney Dillon Ripley was an American ornithologist and wildlife conservationist. He served as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1964-1984.-Biography:...
(1913–2001) was a noted ornithologist, conservationist and secretary of the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
for twenty years. - Dillon, MontanaDillon, Montana- Notable residents :* Ed Barker - NFL wide receiver - Washington Redskins* Cree Paul - [Where is she now?]* Charles Xavier Larrabee - owner of the nearby stock ranch Brooknook.* Lloyd Meeds - Politician, lobbyist, and navy officer....
is named for him as it was an early terminus for the Railroad. - Sidney, NebraskaSidney, NebraskaSidney is a city in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cheyenne County.-History:The city was named for Sidney Dillon, a railroad attorney...
, is also named for him.
External links
Sidney Dillon (May 7, 1812—June 9, 1892-), an America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
railroad
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
executive and one the nations premier railroad builders.
Biography
Dillon was born in Northampton, Fulton County, New YorkNorthampton, Fulton County, New York
Northampton is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. The name comes from an original land patent...
. His father, Timothy, was a farmer.
He began his career in the industry working as a water boy on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of America's earliest railroads
Oldest railroads in North America
- Early experimental railroads :*1720: A railroad is reportedly used in the construction of the French fortress at Louisburg, Nova Scotia.*1764: Between 1762 and 1764 a gravity railroad is built by British military engineers at the Niagara Portage in Lewiston, New York.*1795: A wooden railway on...
, for its construction from Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
to Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
.
In 1840 he went into business for himself, forming his own construction company, and obtaining the construction contract for the Boston and Albany Railroad
Boston and Albany Railroad
The Boston and Albany Railroad was a railroad connecting Boston, Massachusetts to Albany, New York, later becoming part of the New York Central Railroad system, Conrail and CSX. The line is used by CSX for freight...
. Dillon married Hannah Smith of Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1841. The couple would have two daughters, Cora A. and Julia E. ("Julie"). Cora married Dr. Peter B. Wyckoff in 1875. Julia married Gilman Smith Moulton on March 1, 1894.
He was actively involved in the construction of numerous roads, his largest being the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
, with which he became actively involved in 1865 through an equity exchange with the Crédit Mobilier of America corporation.
Crédit Mobilier of America was a company setup by the Union Pacific to defraud United States taxpayers in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad
First Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad line built in the United States of America between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad that connected its statutory Eastern terminus at Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska The First...
. The result was the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
The Crédit Mobilier scandal of 1872 involved the Union Pacific Railroad and the Crédit Mobilier of America construction company in the building of the First Transcontinental Railroad. The distribution of Crédit Mobilier shares of stock by Congressman Oakes Ames along with cash bribes to...
which exposed an over-invoicing and a stock & bond share pricing scheme, where by Union Pacific officers and directors, including Dillon, profited by manipulating the share price of Crédit Mobilier of America's stock shares and bonds, padding invoices to the U.S. Government, and bribing congressmen with shares in Crédit Mobilier of America, cash and other perks.
As one of the principal contractors for the Union Pacific, Dillon's vast experience in the construction of railroads proved invaluable. He took part in the laying of the last rail of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, receiving one of the ceremonial silver spikes used to complete the project.
Following 1870, Dillon was primarily known as a financier
Financier
Financier is a term for a person who handles typically large sums of money, usually involving money lending, financing projects, large-scale investing, or large-scale money management. The term is French, and derives from finance or payment...
, becoming involved with Jay Gould
Jay Gould
Jason "Jay" Gould was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. He has long been vilified as an archetypal robber baron, whose successes made him the ninth richest American in history. Condé Nast Portfolio ranked Gould as the 8th worst American CEO of all time...
in numerous ventures as well as serving on the board of directors of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
He finally served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1874 to 1884, and again from 1890 until his death in 1892.
Death
Dillon died at his home at 23 West Fifty-Seventh Street in New York City, after a twelve-week illness, at the age of 80. Funeral services were held at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian ChurchFifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
The Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church is a large congregation of the Presbyterian Church . The church was founded in 1808 as the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church and has been located on Fifth Avenue at 55th Street in midtown Manhattan since 1875. It has approximately 3,250 members from a variety...
(55th Street and 5th Avenue) on June 13.
He is interred under a distinctive Celtic cross at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.
Legacy
- His great grandson Sidney Dillon RipleySidney Dillon RipleySidney Dillon Ripley was an American ornithologist and wildlife conservationist. He served as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1964-1984.-Biography:...
(1913–2001) was a noted ornithologist, conservationist and secretary of the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
for twenty years. - Dillon, MontanaDillon, Montana- Notable residents :* Ed Barker - NFL wide receiver - Washington Redskins* Cree Paul - [Where is she now?]* Charles Xavier Larrabee - owner of the nearby stock ranch Brooknook.* Lloyd Meeds - Politician, lobbyist, and navy officer....
is named for him as it was an early terminus for the Railroad. - Sidney, NebraskaSidney, NebraskaSidney is a city in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cheyenne County.-History:The city was named for Sidney Dillon, a railroad attorney...
, is also named for him.
External links
Sidney Dillon (May 7, 1812—June 9, 1892-), an America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
railroad
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
executive and one the nations premier railroad builders.
Biography
Dillon was born in Northampton, Fulton County, New YorkNorthampton, Fulton County, New York
Northampton is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. The name comes from an original land patent...
. His father, Timothy, was a farmer.
He began his career in the industry working as a water boy on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of America's earliest railroads
Oldest railroads in North America
- Early experimental railroads :*1720: A railroad is reportedly used in the construction of the French fortress at Louisburg, Nova Scotia.*1764: Between 1762 and 1764 a gravity railroad is built by British military engineers at the Niagara Portage in Lewiston, New York.*1795: A wooden railway on...
, for its construction from Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
to Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
.
In 1840 he went into business for himself, forming his own construction company, and obtaining the construction contract for the Boston and Albany Railroad
Boston and Albany Railroad
The Boston and Albany Railroad was a railroad connecting Boston, Massachusetts to Albany, New York, later becoming part of the New York Central Railroad system, Conrail and CSX. The line is used by CSX for freight...
. Dillon married Hannah Smith of Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1841. The couple would have two daughters, Cora A. and Julia E. ("Julie"). Cora married Dr. Peter B. Wyckoff in 1875. Julia married Gilman Smith Moulton on March 1, 1894.
He was actively involved in the construction of numerous roads, his largest being the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
, with which he became actively involved in 1865 through an equity exchange with the Crédit Mobilier of America corporation.
Crédit Mobilier of America was a company setup by the Union Pacific to defraud United States taxpayers in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad
First Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad line built in the United States of America between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad that connected its statutory Eastern terminus at Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska The First...
. The result was the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
Crédit Mobilier of America scandal
The Crédit Mobilier scandal of 1872 involved the Union Pacific Railroad and the Crédit Mobilier of America construction company in the building of the First Transcontinental Railroad. The distribution of Crédit Mobilier shares of stock by Congressman Oakes Ames along with cash bribes to...
which exposed an over-invoicing and a stock & bond share pricing scheme, where by Union Pacific officers and directors, including Dillon, profited by manipulating the share price of Crédit Mobilier of America's stock shares and bonds, padding invoices to the U.S. Government, and bribing congressmen with shares in Crédit Mobilier of America, cash and other perks.
As one of the principal contractors for the Union Pacific, Dillon's vast experience in the construction of railroads proved invaluable. He took part in the laying of the last rail of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, receiving one of the ceremonial silver spikes used to complete the project.
Following 1870, Dillon was primarily known as a financier
Financier
Financier is a term for a person who handles typically large sums of money, usually involving money lending, financing projects, large-scale investing, or large-scale money management. The term is French, and derives from finance or payment...
, becoming involved with Jay Gould
Jay Gould
Jason "Jay" Gould was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. He has long been vilified as an archetypal robber baron, whose successes made him the ninth richest American in history. Condé Nast Portfolio ranked Gould as the 8th worst American CEO of all time...
in numerous ventures as well as serving on the board of directors of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
He finally served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1874 to 1884, and again from 1890 until his death in 1892.
Death
Dillon died at his home at 23 West Fifty-Seventh Street in New York City, after a twelve-week illness, at the age of 80. Funeral services were held at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian ChurchFifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
The Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church is a large congregation of the Presbyterian Church . The church was founded in 1808 as the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church and has been located on Fifth Avenue at 55th Street in midtown Manhattan since 1875. It has approximately 3,250 members from a variety...
(55th Street and 5th Avenue) on June 13.
He is interred under a distinctive Celtic cross at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.
Legacy
- His great grandson Sidney Dillon RipleySidney Dillon RipleySidney Dillon Ripley was an American ornithologist and wildlife conservationist. He served as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1964-1984.-Biography:...
(1913–2001) was a noted ornithologist, conservationist and secretary of the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
for twenty years. - Dillon, MontanaDillon, Montana- Notable residents :* Ed Barker - NFL wide receiver - Washington Redskins* Cree Paul - [Where is she now?]* Charles Xavier Larrabee - owner of the nearby stock ranch Brooknook.* Lloyd Meeds - Politician, lobbyist, and navy officer....
is named for him as it was an early terminus for the Railroad. - Sidney, NebraskaSidney, NebraskaSidney is a city in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cheyenne County.-History:The city was named for Sidney Dillon, a railroad attorney...
, is also named for him.