Lamon V. Harkness
Encyclopedia
Lamon Vanderburgh Harkness (1839 - January 17, 1915) was an American businessman and a partner in Standard Oil
who was one of the company's largest stockholders. Lamon V. Harkness became involved with Standard Oil
through his father Stephen V. Harkness
who was a primary silent investor in the formation of Standard Oil
and Henry Flagler who was Lamon's step-nephew and eventually his son in law.
Born in Bellevue, Ohio
, he was the son of Stephen V. Harkness
and his first wife, Laura Osborne. As a young man he entered the cattle business in Kansas City, Missouri
before returning to Greenwich, Connecticut
following the death of his father in 1888.
Harkness was well known as a yachtsman who owned the SS Wakiva
which became part of the United States Navy
during 1917 and 1918 and had war service during World War I
.
in 1892, Lamon Harkness acquired a 400 acres (1.6 km²) farm in Donerail, Kentucky that he named Walnut Hall Farm. There, he developed a Standardbred horse breeding
operation of major importance to the harness racing
industry. In recognition of his contribution to the industry, in 1958 Lamon Harkness was inducted posthumously in the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. Although sub-divided several times, a part of which is now home to the Kentucky Horse Park
, Walnut Farm remains in the hands of descendants.
Harkness had daughters, Lela and Myrtle, and a son, Harry
. Daughter Myrtle married California
businessman A. Kingsley Macomber
, a major Thoroughbred
racehorse
owner and breeder.
In addition to a home at Walnut Hall Farm, Lamon Harkness owned several homes including a mansion at 933 Fifth Avenue in New York City
. He died at another home in Pasadena, California
in 1915, leaving on estate of approximately $100 million. Predeceased by his wife, they are buried together in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx
, New York
.
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
who was one of the company's largest stockholders. Lamon V. Harkness became involved with Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
through his father Stephen V. Harkness
Stephen V. Harkness
Stephen Vanderburgh Harkness was an American businessman from Cleveland, Ohio, who invested as a silent partner with oil titan John D. Rockefeller, Sr. in the founding of Standard Oil.-Biography:...
who was a primary silent investor in the formation of Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
and Henry Flagler who was Lamon's step-nephew and eventually his son in law.
Born in Bellevue, Ohio
Bellevue, Ohio
Bellevue is a city in Erie, Huron, Sandusky and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 8,193 at the 2000 census. The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Bellevue as a Tree City USA....
, he was the son of Stephen V. Harkness
Stephen V. Harkness
Stephen Vanderburgh Harkness was an American businessman from Cleveland, Ohio, who invested as a silent partner with oil titan John D. Rockefeller, Sr. in the founding of Standard Oil.-Biography:...
and his first wife, Laura Osborne. As a young man he entered the cattle business in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
before returning to Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
following the death of his father in 1888.
Harkness was well known as a yachtsman who owned the SS Wakiva
USS Wakiva II (SP-160)
USS Wakiva II , often referred to as USS Wakiva, was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy from 1917 to 1918 and saw combat in World War I. She was originally the yacht SS Wakiva II built for Lamon V. Harkness in Scotland.Wakiva II served as a convoy escort out of Brest, France, and...
which became part of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during 1917 and 1918 and had war service during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Walnut Hall Farm
Following on a trip to KentuckyKentucky
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...
in 1892, Lamon Harkness acquired a 400 acres (1.6 km²) farm in Donerail, Kentucky that he named Walnut Hall Farm. There, he developed a Standardbred horse breeding
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
operation of major importance to the harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
industry. In recognition of his contribution to the industry, in 1958 Lamon Harkness was inducted posthumously in the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. Although sub-divided several times, a part of which is now home to the Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park opened in 1978 in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located off Kentucky State Highway 1973 and Interstate 75 in northern Fayette County in the United States...
, Walnut Farm remains in the hands of descendants.
Harkness had daughters, Lela and Myrtle, and a son, Harry
Harry Harkness
Harry Stephen Harkness was an early American aviator and racing driver. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, of a wealthy family and son of Standard Oil investor Lamon V. Harkness, Harkness financed the building of many early airplanes...
. Daughter Myrtle married California
California
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...
businessman A. Kingsley Macomber
A. Kingsley Macomber
Abraham Kingsley Macomber was an American adventurer, businessman, philanthropist, Thoroughbred-racehorse owner and breeder...
, a major Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
owner and breeder.
In addition to a home at Walnut Hall Farm, Lamon Harkness owned several homes including a mansion at 933 Fifth Avenue in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He died at another home in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
in 1915, leaving on estate of approximately $100 million. Predeceased by his wife, they are buried together in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.