Edward H. Harriman Biography

Edward H. Harriman

He began his career on Wall Street, but became involved in railroads when he married Mary Averell, whose father was president of a railroad. He was director then vice president of the Illinois Central Railroad, and worked with the Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Central Pacific, and Oregon Short Line railroads. He was thwarted by James Hill in an attempt to control the Burlington Quincy Railroad, but joined with Hill and J. P. Morgan to form the Northern Securities Company, a holding firm later disbanded by order of the U.S. Supreme Court for antitrust violations. He was also an active philanthropist, donating money and land for what is now the Harriman State Park in New York.