Ben Holladay
Encyclopedia
Benjamin "Ben" Holladay was an American
transportation businessman known as the "Stagecoach King" until his routes were taken over by Wells Fargo
in 1866. A native of Kentucky
, he also served in the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri
before starting his transportation empire that later included steamships and railroads in Oregon
.
. His father William Holladay (born in what is now Spotsylvania County, Virginia
) was a third generation American, descended from John "The Ranger" Holladay. William migrated to Bourbon County, Kentucky
, where he was a guide for wagon trains through the Cumberland Gap
. Benjamin's mother was Margaret "Peggy" Hughes. Benjamin Holladay learned the freight business at an early age and left home in his late teens for a road trip to Santa Fe
in what was then Mexico
.
He then settled in Weston, Missouri
, where he worked as a store clerk before serving as courier during the 1838 Mormon War for the state militia. After working at the store for a few years he opened a tavern and hotel in 1840, as well as starting what would become the McCormick Distilling Company
, which claims to be the oldest distillery still operating in the same location. Business boomed with his supplies for General Stephen Watts Kearney during the Mexican-American War.
in 1852 where he was to operate 2670 miles (4,296.9 km) of stage lines.
Holladay acquired the Pony Express
in 1862 after it failed to garner a postal contract for its owners, Russell, Majors and Waddell
. In 1861 he won a postal contract for mail service to Salt Lake City, Utah
and established the Overland Stage Route along the Overland Trail
to avoid confrontations with American Indians on the northern Oregon Trail and Pony Express routes. He added significant infrastructure along the trail, including Rattlesnake Station
. Traveling to New York from San Francisco in July, 1862 Holladay was almost killed when the SS Golden Gate sank off Manzanillo.
Between the Overland Trail and six other routes, Holladay received government subsidies totaling nearly $6 million dollars over a four year period. Holladay sold his stage routes to Wells Fargo
Express in 1866 for $1.5 million.
In August 1868, Holladay moved to Oregon
, where he had organized the construction of a railroad along the Willamette River
, purchasing the illegally incorporated Oregon Central Railroad
of Salem, turning it into the Oregon and California Railroad Company
. In April 1868, construction started on lines along both the sides of the river. Holladay's "Eastsiders" completed 20 miles (32.2 km) of track before the competition, using "every trick known to man" in the construction, including bribing the Oregon Legislature in October 1868. The competition subsequently sold out to him in 1870. Holladay financed the operation via German bankers, who bought $6.4 million of bonds (out of a total $10.95 million).
He won a federal subsidy and built the Oregon and California Railroad
as far south as Roseburg
, as well as controlling the Willamette River commerce through the Portland Dock and Warehouse Company, the Oregon Transfer Company, and the Oregon Steamship Company.
The Panic of 1873
financial crisis stopped the effort. Holladay lost most of his fortune in the stock market collapse on September 18, 1873. So, in 1874 Henry Villard
was sent by Holladay's German investors when he was behind on bond interest payments. In 1876, Villard took over the railroad. Ben Holladay died in Portland, Oregon
, on July 8, 1887, and buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery
in that city.
, "he remodelled it and immediately installed a harem of high class prostitutes."
Holladay and his wife had two daughters who married members of European nobility the Count de Pourtales and Baron Boussiere. Mrs de Pourtales died young leaving their child to be raised by her father Count de Pourtales and her grandparents.
Holladay had a reputation for lavish living. Ophir Hall (named for his Ophir Silver Mine in Virginia City, Nevada
— part of the Comstock Lode
) is now the defining landmark (now called Reid Hall) of Manhattanville College
in Purchase, New York
. The current structure is based on the footprint of the original house, but the original burned down when the estate was owned by Whitelaw Reid and was then rebuilt as it is now. Two reclining bronze lions attributed to Antonio Canova
that once graced his K Street residence in Washington, DC, now guard the main entrance of the Corcoran Gallery. Seaside, Oregon
, is named for his elaborate "cottage."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
transportation businessman known as the "Stagecoach King" until his routes were taken over by Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
in 1866. A native of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, he also served in the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
before starting his transportation empire that later included steamships and railroads in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
Early life
Holladay was born October 14, 1819, in Nicholas County, KentuckyNicholas County, Kentucky
Nicholas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 6,813. Its county seat is Carlisle. The county is named for George Nicholas, the "Father of the Kentucky Constitution".- Geography :...
. His father William Holladay (born in what is now Spotsylvania County, Virginia
Spotsylvania County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 90,395 people, 31,308 households, and 24,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 people per square mile . There were 33,329 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile...
) was a third generation American, descended from John "The Ranger" Holladay. William migrated to Bourbon County, Kentucky
Bourbon County, Kentucky
Bourbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the remnant of what was previously a much larger Bourbon County, established as part of Virginia in 1785, and comprising what are now thirty-four modern Kentucky counties...
, where he was a guide for wagon trains through the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap is a pass through the Cumberland Mountains region of the Appalachian Mountains, also known as the Cumberland Water Gap, at the juncture of the U.S. states of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia...
. Benjamin's mother was Margaret "Peggy" Hughes. Benjamin Holladay learned the freight business at an early age and left home in his late teens for a road trip to Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
in what was then Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Weston, Missouri
Weston is a city in Platte County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,631 at the 2000 census.-History:Lewis and Clark Expedition camped out near the location of today's city hall...
, where he worked as a store clerk before serving as courier during the 1838 Mormon War for the state militia. After working at the store for a few years he opened a tavern and hotel in 1840, as well as starting what would become the McCormick Distilling Company
McCormick Distilling Company
The McCormick Distilling Company is an alcoholic beverage distilling and importing company in Weston, Missouri. Opened originally by Benjamin J. Holladay in 1856 under the name Holladay Distillery, its distillery has been registered in the National Register of Historic Places and has been operating...
, which claims to be the oldest distillery still operating in the same location. Business boomed with his supplies for General Stephen Watts Kearney during the Mexican-American War.
Transportation
He moved to CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1852 where he was to operate 2670 miles (4,296.9 km) of stage lines.
Holladay acquired the Pony Express
Pony Express
The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the High Sierra from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, from April 3, 1860 to October 1861...
in 1862 after it failed to garner a postal contract for its owners, Russell, Majors and Waddell
Russell, Majors and Waddell
Russell, Majors and Waddell was a business partnership, based in Lexington, Missouri, between William Hepburn Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell. It operated various transportation and communications services in the American West in the 1850s and early 1860s, including stagecoach...
. In 1861 he won a postal contract for mail service to Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
and established the Overland Stage Route along the Overland Trail
Overland Trail
The Overland Trail was a stagecoach and wagon trail in the American West during the 19th century. While portions of the route had been used by explorers and trappers since the 1820s, the Overland Trail was most heavily used in the 1860s as an alternative route to the Oregon, California and Mormon...
to avoid confrontations with American Indians on the northern Oregon Trail and Pony Express routes. He added significant infrastructure along the trail, including Rattlesnake Station
Rattlesnake Station
Rattlesnake Station was a stagecoach station northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho. Approximately seven miles from exit 95 on Interstate 84, a historical marker located at milepost 102.7 on U.S...
. Traveling to New York from San Francisco in July, 1862 Holladay was almost killed when the SS Golden Gate sank off Manzanillo.
Between the Overland Trail and six other routes, Holladay received government subsidies totaling nearly $6 million dollars over a four year period. Holladay sold his stage routes to Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
Express in 1866 for $1.5 million.
In August 1868, Holladay moved to Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, where he had organized the construction of a railroad along the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
, purchasing the illegally incorporated Oregon Central Railroad
Oregon Central Railroad
The Oregon Central Railroad was the name of two railroad companies in the U.S. state of Oregon, each of which claimed federal land grants that had been assigned to the state in 1866 to assist in building a line from Portland south into California...
of Salem, turning it into the Oregon and California Railroad Company
Oregon and California Railroad
The Oregon and California Railroad was formed from the Oregon Central Railroad when it was the first to operate a stretch south of Portland in 1869. This qualified the Railroad for land grants in California, whereupon the name of the railroad soon changed to Oregon & California Rail Road Company...
. In April 1868, construction started on lines along both the sides of the river. Holladay's "Eastsiders" completed 20 miles (32.2 km) of track before the competition, using "every trick known to man" in the construction, including bribing the Oregon Legislature in October 1868. The competition subsequently sold out to him in 1870. Holladay financed the operation via German bankers, who bought $6.4 million of bonds (out of a total $10.95 million).
He won a federal subsidy and built the Oregon and California Railroad
Oregon and California Railroad
The Oregon and California Railroad was formed from the Oregon Central Railroad when it was the first to operate a stretch south of Portland in 1869. This qualified the Railroad for land grants in California, whereupon the name of the railroad soon changed to Oregon & California Rail Road Company...
as far south as Roseburg
Roseburg, Oregon
Roseburg is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the county seat of Douglas County. The population was 21,181 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, as well as controlling the Willamette River commerce through the Portland Dock and Warehouse Company, the Oregon Transfer Company, and the Oregon Steamship Company.
The Panic of 1873
Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873 triggered a severe international economic depression in both Europe and the United States that lasted until 1879, and even longer in some countries. The depression was known as the Great Depression until the 1930s, but is now known as the Long Depression...
financial crisis stopped the effort. Holladay lost most of his fortune in the stock market collapse on September 18, 1873. So, in 1874 Henry Villard
Henry Villard
Henry Villard was an American journalist and financier who was an early president of the Northern Pacific Railway....
was sent by Holladay's German investors when he was behind on bond interest payments. In 1876, Villard took over the railroad. Ben Holladay died in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, on July 8, 1887, and buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery
Mount Calvary Cemetery (Portland, Oregon)
Mount Calvary Cemetery in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon, United States is a private cemetery owned and maintained by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. It is the second-oldest Catholic cemetery in Multnomah County, and was the third cemetery built in the West...
in that city.
Legacy
Henry Villard described Holladay as "illiterate, coarse, boastful, false, and cunning." Holladay's attorney, John Doniphan, described him as possessing "many of the characteristics of Napoleon." He was known for having "the bearing of one born to command", and for "being clever, shrewd, cunning, illiterate, coarse, and completely unscrupulous". Joseph Gaston described him as being "wholly destitute of fixed principles of honesty, morality, or common decency." After buying a large home from Doctor Rodney GlisanRodney Glisan
Rodney Glisan was a U.S. medical doctor who served on the frontier in the United States Army and was well known as a medical authority in the 19th century....
, "he remodelled it and immediately installed a harem of high class prostitutes."
Holladay and his wife had two daughters who married members of European nobility the Count de Pourtales and Baron Boussiere. Mrs de Pourtales died young leaving their child to be raised by her father Count de Pourtales and her grandparents.
Holladay had a reputation for lavish living. Ophir Hall (named for his Ophir Silver Mine in Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 855 at the 2010 Census.- History :...
— part of the Comstock Lode
Comstock Lode
The Comstock Lode was the first major U.S. discovery of silver ore, located under what is now Virginia City, Nevada, on the eastern slope of Mount Davidson, a peak in the Virginia Range. After the discovery was made public in 1859, prospectors rushed to the area and scrambled to stake their claims...
) is now the defining landmark (now called Reid Hall) of Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, located in Purchase, New York. Founded in 1841 it was known initially as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart...
in Purchase, New York
Purchase, New York
Purchase, New York is a hamlet of the town of Harrison, in Westchester County. Its ZIP code is 10577. Its name is derived from Harrison's purchase, for Harrison could have as much land as he could ride in one day...
. The current structure is based on the footprint of the original house, but the original burned down when the estate was owned by Whitelaw Reid and was then rebuilt as it is now. Two reclining bronze lions attributed to Antonio Canova
Antonio Canova
Antonio Canova was an Italian sculptor from the Republic of Venice who became famous for his marble sculptures that delicately rendered nude flesh...
that once graced his K Street residence in Washington, DC, now guard the main entrance of the Corcoran Gallery. Seaside, Oregon
Seaside, Oregon
Seaside is a city in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. The name Seaside is derived from Seaside House, a historic summer resort built in the 1870s by railroad magnate Ben Holladay. The city's population was 6,457 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, is named for his elaborate "cottage."
External links
- Ben Holladay from the Oregon Blue BookOregon Blue BookThe Oregon Blue Book is the official directory and fact book for the U.S. state of Oregon copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State and published by the Office of the Secretary's Archives Division. As Governor Ted Kulongoski notes in his introduction for the 2005–2006 edition, it "provides...
"Notable Oregonians" - Ben Holladay at Findagrave.com
- Ben Holladay biography from linecamp.com
- Oregon History Project
- http://pepany.com/holladay-stone-chapel.htm
- http://www.thorenrestorations.com/chapel/chapel.html