Vernon K. Stevenson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vernon K. Stevenson
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| Born | January 22, 1812 Russellville, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Died | October 16, 1884 New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Mount Olivet Cemetery |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Net worth | $5 million (1884) |
| Children | 4 sons and 1 daughter |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America (1861–1865) |
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Confederate States Army United States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1862 |
| Rank | Quartermaster (CSA) |
Vernon K. Stevenson (born January 22, 1812 – died October 16, 1884) was an important American businessman. He was known for leading a major railroad company for many years. Stevenson also invested in land and buildings in New York City.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to Nashville
Vernon K. Stevenson was born on January 22, 1812, in Russellville, Kentucky. He had three brothers and three sisters. When he was 19 years old, in 1831, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. This is where he began his successful business career.
Building a Railroad Empire
Starting in Business
Stevenson started his career working in a dry goods store in Nashville. He was a clerk, which means he helped customers and managed sales. He quickly became the head manager. Later, he even invested in a store with his brother, Volney.
Founding the Nashville and Chattanooga Railway
In 1848, Stevenson started the Nashville and Chattanooga Railway. This was a huge project! To get money for building the railroad, he sold shares to people who wanted to invest. He found investors in Nashville and Charleston, South Carolina.
The railroad needed strong iron tracks. Stevenson got these tracks from London, England, with help from a famous businessman named George Peabody. The railroad was finished in 1854. Stevenson became its first president. He hired Edmund William Cole to help manage it in 1857.
Railroads During the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Stevenson played a role. He was appointed as a quartermaster for the Confederate States Army. This meant he was in charge of supplying the army with food, clothing, and other needs.
After a battle in Nashville in 1862, Stevenson moved to Murfreesboro. He continued to manage a small part of the railroad tracks there. However, most of the railroad was taken over by the Union Army. In 1880, Stevenson sold the railroad to August Belmont. It then joined with another large railroad company.
Investing in New York City
After the Civil War ended, Stevenson moved to New York City. He started investing in real estate, buying land and buildings in Manhattan. He even owned a building at 44 Broadway, which was rented by the Standard Oil Company.
Family, Friends, and Legacy
His Family Life
Vernon Stevenson was married three times. His first wife was Maria L. Bass, and they had one son, Hugh. His second wife was Bessie. With his third wife, he had three sons and one daughter: Vernon King Stevenson Jr., Paul Eve Stevenson, Maxwell Stevenson, and Eloise Stevenson.
A fun fact about his family: The famous actress Annie Potts, known for movies like Ghostbusters and TV shows like Young Sheldon, is a distant relative of Vernon K. Stevenson!
Life in New York
Stevenson lived in a nice home in Manhattan. He was also a member of the Manhattan Club, a social club. By 1884, he was a very wealthy man.
He was a supporter of the Democratic Party. He was friends with important political figures like James K. Polk, who became president, and John C. Calhoun.
Death and Memorial
Vernon K. Stevenson passed away on October 16, 1884, in New York City. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. His tomb was designed to look like a smaller version of Napoleon's tomb in Paris, which shows how important he was considered.
The town of Stevenson, Alabama was named in his honor, recognizing his contributions to the railroad and the region.
