William L. Harkness: Difference between revisions
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Changing short description from "American businessman" to "American businessman and philanthropist (1858–1919)" |
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{{Short description|American businessman}} |
{{Short description|American businessman and philanthropist (1858–1919)}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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William Lamon Harkness was born in [[Bellevue, Ohio]], the son of [[Daniel M. Harkness]], who was the half-brother of both [[Henry Flagler]] and [[Stephen V. Harkness]], both founders of |
William Lamon Harkness was born in [[Bellevue, Ohio]], the son of [[Daniel M. Harkness]], who was the half-brother of both [[Henry Flagler]] and [[Stephen V. Harkness]], both founders of Standard Oil, and his wife Isabella Harkness. Upon his father Daniel's death in 1896, he inherited a large share in Standard Oil, a company in which his father had been an early shareholder. He is also a cousin of noted philanthropist [[Edward Harkness]] who also benefitted from his father's involvement with Standard Oil.<ref name="Reserve Historical Society Publication pg 26">Western Reserve Historical Society Publication, Issue 102, pg 26</ref> |
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He attended Bellevue Public Schools in |
He attended Bellevue Public Schools in Bellevue, Ohio and The Brooks Military School in Cleveland. In 1881, Harkness graduated from [[Yale University]]. |
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==Life== |
==Life== |
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In 1896, he moved from Cleveland, Ohio to a home at [[12 East 53rd Street]] in [[New York City]]. He also owned a country home, Dosoris, at [[Glen Cove, New York|Glen Cove]] on [[Long Island]]. A [[yachtsman]] and sportsman, he was a member of The Union Club of Cleveland, The [[Metropolitan Club]] New York, [[New York Yacht Club]], the [[Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club]] and [[Piping Rock Club]].<ref name="Reserve Historical Society Publication pg 26"/> |
In 1896, he moved from Cleveland, Ohio to a home at [[12 East 53rd Street]] in [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]. He also owned a country home, Dosoris, at [[Glen Cove, New York|Glen Cove]] on [[Long Island]]. A [[yachtsman]] and sportsman, he was a member of The Union Club of Cleveland, The [[Metropolitan Club (New York City)|Metropolitan Club]] New York, [[New York Yacht Club]], the [[Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club]] and [[Piping Rock Club]].<ref name="Reserve Historical Society Publication pg 26"/> |
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[[File:Steam Yacht Gunilda, 1911.jpg|thumb|Steam yacht ''Gunilda'']] |
[[File:Steam Yacht Gunilda, 1911.jpg|thumb|Steam yacht ''Gunilda'']] |
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In August 1911, while in command of his [[steam yacht]] [[Gunilda (ship)|''Gunilda'']] on [[Lake Superior]], he ran her aground, due to his failure in recognising a requirement for a pilot and then compounding the matter by not hiring tugs at the appropriate time. She would sink in days. He put in a claim against the ship's insurer, [[Lloyd's of London]] for about $132,000 |
In August 1911, while in command of his [[steam yacht]] [[Gunilda (ship)|''Gunilda'']] on [[Lake Superior]], he ran her aground, due to his failure in recognising a requirement for a pilot and then compounding the matter by not hiring tugs at the appropriate time. She would sink in days. He put in a claim against the ship's insurer, [[Lloyd's of London]] for about $132,000, and received $100,000 compensation.<ref name="infosuperior">{{cite web |title=Gunilda, Great Lakes Deep Diving Pinnacle |url=http://infosuperior.com/blog/2017/10/02/podcastphotos-gunilda-great-lakes-deep-diving-pinnacle/ |website=infosuperior.com |accessdate=29 July 2018}}</ref> |
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===Philanthropy=== |
===Philanthropy=== |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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[[File:12 E53 St in 2021 jeh.jpg|thumb|right|William L. Harkness house at [[12 East 53rd Street]], New York |
[[File:12 E53 St in 2021 jeh.jpg|thumb|right|William L. Harkness house at [[12 East 53rd Street]], Manhattan, New York City]] |
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[[File:WIlliam L. Harkness Estate in Glen Cove, NY.png|thumb|right|William L. Harkness Estate in [[Glen Cove, New York]], known as The Wings and then Dosoris]] |
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Harkness was married to Edith Hale (1863–1947), daughter of Edwin B. Hale, a prominent banker from Cleveland.<ref name="1922Wedding"/> Together, they were the parents of:<ref name="1948Estate">{{cite news|title=Harkness Estate Cut By $25,272,154 Taxes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/08/27/archives/harkness-estate-cut-by-25272154-taxes.html|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=27 August 1948}}</ref> |
Harkness was married to Edith Hale (1863–1947), daughter of Edwin B. Hale, a prominent banker from Cleveland.<ref name="1922Wedding"/> Together, they were the parents of:<ref name="1948Estate">{{cite news|title=Harkness Estate Cut By $25,272,154 Taxes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/08/27/archives/harkness-estate-cut-by-25272154-taxes.html|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=27 August 1948}}</ref> |
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* William Hale Harkness (1900–1954), who married Elisabeth Grant in 1932,<ref name="1932Wedding">{{cite news|last1=Times|first1=Special To The New York|title=Miss Grant is Bride of W. H. Harkness; Christ Church at Rye, N. Y., Is Decorated With Lilies and Daisies for Ceremony. The Bridal Party Large Fergus Reid Jr. Is Best Man for Mr. HarknessuReception at Home of the J. P. Grants.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/06/14/archives/miss-grant-is-bride-of-w-h-bareness-christ-church-at-rye-n-y-is.html|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=14 June 1932}}</ref> and later on October 1, 1947, he married [[Rebekah Harkness|Rebekah Semple West Pierce]] (1915–1982).<ref name="Harrison1988">{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Barbara Grizzuti|title='Is There a Chic Way to Go?'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/22/books/is-there-a-chic-way-to-go.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=22 May 1988}}</ref> |
* William Hale Harkness (1900–1954), who married Elisabeth Grant in 1932,<ref name="1932Wedding">{{cite news|last1=Times|first1=Special To The New York|title=Miss Grant is Bride of W. H. Harkness; Christ Church at Rye, N. Y., Is Decorated With Lilies and Daisies for Ceremony. The Bridal Party Large Fergus Reid Jr. Is Best Man for Mr. HarknessuReception at Home of the J. P. Grants.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/06/14/archives/miss-grant-is-bride-of-w-h-bareness-christ-church-at-rye-n-y-is.html|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=14 June 1932}}</ref> and later on October 1, 1947, he married [[Rebekah Harkness|Rebekah Semple West Pierce]] (1915–1982).<ref name="Harrison1988">{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Barbara Grizzuti|title='Is There a Chic Way to Go?'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/22/books/is-there-a-chic-way-to-go.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=22 May 1988}}</ref> |
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Harkness died in New York City in 1919 and was buried in the [[Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York)|Woodlawn Cemetery]] in [[The Bronx]], New York.<ref name="WLHObit1919">{{cite news|title=William L. Harkness Dies {{!}} Capitalist and Yachtsman a Victim of Heart Disease at Home|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B04E5DD163AE03ABC4952DFB3668382609EDE&legacy=true|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=11 May 1919}}</ref> He left an estate of $53,439,437,<ref name="1921Estate">{{cite news|last1=Times|first1=Special To The New York|title=$53,439,000 Estate Of WM.L. Harkness to Pay Tax Here; Large Owner in Standard Oil Company Declared Himself Resident of New York. Wealth Exceeds Estimate: His Standard Oil Holdings Alone Valued at $37,272,254 and All Securities at $53,272,254. State Goes to Family Widow, Son and Daughter the Heirs --$400,000 Gift Made to Yale Before His Death.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1921/04/10/archives/53439000-estate-of-wml-harkness-to-pay-tax-here-large-owner-in.html|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=10 April 1921}}</ref> which would be approximately ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|53,439,437|1919}}}} in {{inflation-year|US}} dollars, of which $37,272,254 was stock in [[Standard Oil]]. He left half of his estate including his houses at 12 |
Harkness died in New York City in 1919 and was buried in the [[Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York)|Woodlawn Cemetery]] in [[The Bronx]], New York.<ref name="WLHObit1919">{{cite news|title=William L. Harkness Dies {{!}} Capitalist and Yachtsman a Victim of Heart Disease at Home|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B04E5DD163AE03ABC4952DFB3668382609EDE&legacy=true|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=11 May 1919}}</ref> He left an estate of $53,439,437,<ref name="1921Estate">{{cite news|last1=Times|first1=Special To The New York|title=$53,439,000 Estate Of WM.L. Harkness to Pay Tax Here; Large Owner in Standard Oil Company Declared Himself Resident of New York. Wealth Exceeds Estimate: His Standard Oil Holdings Alone Valued at $37,272,254 and All Securities at $53,272,254. State Goes to Family Widow, Son and Daughter the Heirs --$400,000 Gift Made to Yale Before His Death.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1921/04/10/archives/53439000-estate-of-wml-harkness-to-pay-tax-here-large-owner-in.html|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=10 April 1921}}</ref> which would be approximately ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|53,439,437|1919}}}} in {{inflation-year|US}} dollars, of which $37,272,254 was stock in [[Standard Oil]]. He left half of his estate including his houses at [[12 East 53rd Street]] in New York City and Dosoris at [[Glen Cove, New York]] to his wife Edith Hale Harkness.<ref name="1921Estate"/> The remaining half was divided between his daughter Louise Hale Harkness and his son William Hale Harkness.<ref name="1922Wedding"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Latest revision as of 23:34, 14 November 2024
William L. Harkness | |
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| Born | August 8, 1858 Bellevue, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 1919 (aged 60) New Hyde Park, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery |
| Education | Yale University (Class of 1881) |
| Occupation(s) | Business investor, heir |
| Spouse | Edith Hale |
| Children | Louise Hale Harkness (1898-1978), William Hale Harkness (1900–1954) |
| Parent(s) | Daniel M. Harkness and Isabella Harkness |
William Lamon Harkness (August 8, 1858 – May 10, 1919) was an American businessman and inheritor of a large share of Standard Oil.
Early life
[edit]William Lamon Harkness was born in Bellevue, Ohio, the son of Daniel M. Harkness, who was the half-brother of both Henry Flagler and Stephen V. Harkness, both founders of Standard Oil, and his wife Isabella Harkness. Upon his father Daniel's death in 1896, he inherited a large share in Standard Oil, a company in which his father had been an early shareholder. He is also a cousin of noted philanthropist Edward Harkness who also benefitted from his father's involvement with Standard Oil.[1]
He attended Bellevue Public Schools in Bellevue, Ohio and The Brooks Military School in Cleveland. In 1881, Harkness graduated from Yale University.
Life
[edit]In 1896, he moved from Cleveland, Ohio to a home at 12 East 53rd Street in Manhattan, New York City. He also owned a country home, Dosoris, at Glen Cove on Long Island. A yachtsman and sportsman, he was a member of The Union Club of Cleveland, The Metropolitan Club New York, New York Yacht Club, the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club and Piping Rock Club.[1]
In August 1911, while in command of his steam yacht Gunilda on Lake Superior, he ran her aground, due to his failure in recognising a requirement for a pilot and then compounding the matter by not hiring tugs at the appropriate time. She would sink in days. He put in a claim against the ship's insurer, Lloyd's of London for about $132,000, and received $100,000 compensation.[2]
Philanthropy
[edit]
Shortly before his death, Harkness donated $400,000 to Yale University.[3] The William L. Harkness Hall at Yale University was completed in 1927 as the gift of Mr. W.L. Harkness, B.A. 1881, and his family. It is a Collegiate Gothic building of Aquia sandstone with Ohio sandstone trim and contains offices and lecture & recitation rooms for the French, German, and Music departments. William Adams Delano was the architect.[4]
Personal life
[edit]
Harkness was married to Edith Hale (1863–1947), daughter of Edwin B. Hale, a prominent banker from Cleveland.[5] Together, they were the parents of:[6]
- Louise Hale Harkness (b. 1897), who married David Sinton Ingalls (1899–1985) in 1922.[5] His mother, Jane Taft, was the niece of President William Howard Taft. He was the grandson of railroad executive Melville E. Ingalls, and great-grandson of industrialist David Sinton.[7]
- William Hale Harkness (1900–1954), who married Elisabeth Grant in 1932,[8] and later on October 1, 1947, he married Rebekah Semple West Pierce (1915–1982).[9]
Harkness died in New York City in 1919 and was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York.[10] He left an estate of $53,439,437,[11] which would be approximately $939 million in 2023 dollars, of which $37,272,254 was stock in Standard Oil. He left half of his estate including his houses at 12 East 53rd Street in New York City and Dosoris at Glen Cove, New York to his wife Edith Hale Harkness.[11] The remaining half was divided between his daughter Louise Hale Harkness and his son William Hale Harkness.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Western Reserve Historical Society Publication, Issue 102, pg 26
- ^ "Gunilda, Great Lakes Deep Diving Pinnacle". infosuperior.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Yale Alumni Gave $640,000 Last Year; University Devoted $100,000 to War Expenses as a Free-Will Contribution". The New York Times. November 16, 1919. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ "Yale to Build Hall to Honor Harkness; Family Increases His $400,000 Gift to the University to $900,000". The New York Times. January 31, 1926. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ a b c "$12,000,000 Heiress, Miss Harkness, Wed; Daughter of Mrs. William L. Harkness Marries David S. Ingalls of Cleveland Locust Valley Church Bridegroom, Kin of Chief Justice Taft, Won Distinction as Naval Ace During War". The New York Times. June 28, 1922. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ "Harkness Estate Cut By $25,272,154 Taxes". The New York Times. August 27, 1948. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ "Melvillee. Ingalls, Financier, Is Dead". The New York Times. July 12, 1914. p. C5.
- ^ Times, Special To The New York (June 14, 1932). "Miss Grant is Bride of W. H. Harkness; Christ Church at Rye, N. Y., Is Decorated With Lilies and Daisies for Ceremony. The Bridal Party Large Fergus Reid Jr. Is Best Man for Mr. HarknessuReception at Home of the J. P. Grants". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ Harrison, Barbara Grizzuti (May 22, 1988). "'Is There a Chic Way to Go?'". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ "William L. Harkness Dies | Capitalist and Yachtsman a Victim of Heart Disease at Home". The New York Times. May 11, 1919. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ a b Times, Special To The New York (April 10, 1921). "$53,439,000 Estate Of WM.L. Harkness to Pay Tax Here; Large Owner in Standard Oil Company Declared Himself Resident of New York. Wealth Exceeds Estimate: His Standard Oil Holdings Alone Valued at $37,272,254 and All Securities at $53,272,254. State Goes to Family Widow, Son and Daughter the Heirs --$400,000 Gift Made to Yale Before His Death". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
Sources
[edit]- Klein, Henry H. Dynastic America and Those Who Own It (1921) reprint 2003 Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7661-6729-2
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