Oliver Belmont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oliver Belmont
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Oliver Belmont
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| Member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 13th District |
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| In office March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903 |
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| Preceded by | Jefferson Monroe Levy |
| Succeeded by | Francis Burton Harrison |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont
November 12, 1858 New York City, New York, United States |
| Died | June 10, 1908 (aged 49) Hempstead, New York, United States |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Sara Swan Whiting
(m. 1882; div. 1882) |
| Relations | Perry Belmont (brother) August Belmont Jr. (brother) Matthew C. Perry (maternal grandfather) |
| Children | Natica Rives Belmont Burden |
| Parents | August Belmont Caroline Slidell Perry |
| Residence | Belcourt |
| Education | St. Paul's School United States Naval Academy |
| Occupation | Businessman, politician |
| Known for | Belcourt |
Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont (born November 12, 1858 – died June 10, 1908) was an important American figure. He was a Representative for New York. Belmont was also involved in banking with his family's firm. He later became the publisher of a weekly newspaper called Verdict.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Oliver Belmont was born in New York City, New York. His father, August Belmont, was a successful banker. He came to the United States in 1837. August Belmont earned a lot of money. The famous horse race, the Belmont Stakes, is named after him.
Oliver's mother was Caroline Slidell Perry. Her father was Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Commodore Perry was famous for opening Japan to trade in 1853–54. Oliver's great-uncle was Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. He was a hero of the War of 1812. The Battle of Lake Erie was one of his big victories.
Belmont went to St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. At 14, he joined the United States Naval Academy in 1874. He graduated in June 1880. After serving for one year as a midshipman, he left the Navy in 1881.
Career and Politics
After his time in the Navy, Oliver Belmont joined his family's banking business. This firm was called August Belmont and Co. It was located in New York City. Later, he also became the publisher of a weekly newspaper. The paper was named Verdict.
Belmont was active in politics. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1900. This is where political parties choose their candidates. He was elected as a Democrat. He represented New York's 13th District in the Fifty-seventh Congress. He served from March 4, 1901, to March 3, 1903. He did not seek re-election in 1902.
Belcourt Estate
When his father passed away in 1890, Oliver inherited a large amount of money. He decided to build a summer home in Newport, Rhode Island. This mansion was named Belcourt. The famous architect Richard Morris Hunt designed it.
Belmont had unique ideas for his home. He wanted the entire first floor to be stables for his horses. The mansion featured grand Gothic rooms. These rooms had huge stained-glass windows. The windows showed the Belmont family's coat of arms.
Club Memberships
Oliver Belmont was a member of several clubs. He joined The Lambs club in 1887. He was also a founding member of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution in 1896. He qualified for this group because his ancestor, Captain Christopher Raymond Perry, served in the American Revolution.
Personal Life
In 1882, Oliver Belmont married Sara Swan Whiting. They were married in Newport, Rhode Island. They later divorced. Oliver and Sara had a daughter named Natica Caroline Belmont. Natica was born in 1883. She was later adopted by her stepfather, George Lockhart Rives. Natica became a well-known socialite in New York.
Belmont married again on January 11, 1896. His second wife was Alva Vanderbilt. She was the former wife of his good friend, William K. Vanderbilt. Oliver and Alva had been friends for many years. After Oliver's death, Alva became a strong supporter of the women's suffrage movement. This movement worked for women's right to vote.
Death and Burial
Oliver Belmont passed away on June 10, 1908. He died at his estate called Brookholt. This estate was located in East Meadow, New York. He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.
His mausoleum (a large tomb) was designed by Richard Morris Hunt. It looks like the Chapel of St. Hubert in France. The mausoleum has beautiful stained-glass windows. These windows were designed by artist Helen Maitland Armstrong. His second wife, Alva Belmont, was buried next to him when she died in 1933.
