William Douglas Sloane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Douglas Sloane
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| Born | February 29, 1844 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | March 19, 1915 (aged 71) Aiken, South Carolina, U.S.
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| Employer | W. & J. Sloane |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 5, including Emily |
| Parent(s) | William Sloane Euphemia Douglas |
| Relatives | Henry T. Sloane (brother) Henry Sloane Coffin (nephew) William Sloane Coffin Sr. (nephew) |
William Douglas Sloane (born February 29, 1844 – died March 19, 1915) was an important American businessman and a kind helper of many charities. He was also a well-known person in New York society during a time called the Gilded Age.
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William Sloane's Early Life
William Douglas Sloane was born in New York City on February 29, 1844. He was the third son of William Sloane and Euphemia Douglas Sloane. His parents had moved to America from Kilmarnock, Scotland.
William had several brothers and sisters. One of his brothers was Henry T. Sloane. His sister Euphemia was the mother of two famous nephews, Rev. Henry Sloane Coffin and William Sloane Coffin Sr..
William Sloane's Career
When William was just 15 years old, he started working for his family's business. His father had started the company, which sold carpets and furniture, in 1843. Later, in 1852, his uncle John W. Sloane joined the business. At that time, the company's name was changed to W. & J. Sloane.
In 1866, William became a full member of the company. When the business officially became a corporation in 1891, he joined its board of directors. He stayed on the board until he passed away. He also worked as the company's treasurer.
During the American Civil War, William Sloane joined the army as a private. He was part of the Seventh Regiment. His group was sent to Washington in 1863. He was promoted to corporal in 1866 and then to sergeant in 1868. He left the army honorably in 1871.
Helping Others: William Sloane's Philanthropy
William Sloane and his wife were very generous. In 1888, they gave over $1,000,000 to help create the Sloane Hospital for Women in New York. Today, this hospital is part of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. It focuses on helping mothers and babies. William also gave a lot of money to the Children's Aid Society, which helps children in need.
In 1889, Yale University honored William Sloane with a special degree called a Master of Arts. Later, in 1912, William and his brother Henry gave more than $500,000 to Yale. This money was used to build the Yale Physics Laboratory. They built it to honor their father.
William Sloane was also a trustee at Columbia University. He was a member of the New-York Historical Society. He served as a director for many companies, including the United States Trust Company and the National City Bank of New York.
William Sloane's Social Life
William Sloane and his wife were part of New York's high society. In 1892, they were included in a famous list called "Four Hundred". This list was made by Ward McAllister and was supposed to name New York's most important families. The number 400 was chosen because that's how many people could fit into Mrs. Astor's famous ballroom.
William was a member of many clubs, including the Union Club of the City of New York, the Metropolitan Club, and the New York Yacht Club. These clubs were places where important people gathered for social events and activities.
William Sloane's Family Life
In 1872, William Sloane married Emily Thorn Vanderbilt (1852–1946). Emily was the daughter of William Henry Vanderbilt, who was a very rich and powerful businessman. Her grandfather was Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, a famous railroad and shipping tycoon.
William and Emily had five children together:
- Florence Adele Sloane (1873–1960)
- Emily Vanderbilt Sloane (1874–1970)
- Lila Vanderbilt Sloane (1878–1934)
- William Douglas Sloane Jr., who sadly passed away as a baby in 1884.
- Malcolm Douglas Vanderbilt Sloane (1885–1924)
The Sloane family lived in a grand home at 2 West 52nd Street in Manhattan, New York. They also had a large country home called Elm Court in Lenox, Massachusetts. They built this beautiful house in 1885. William also owned a country estate in Mount Kisco, New York, which is now known as Merestead Park.
William Sloane passed away on March 19, 1915, in Aiken, South Carolina, after being sick with a kidney problem. His funeral was held at St. Bartholomew's Church. He was buried in the Sloane Mausoleum at Moravian Cemetery in New Dorp, Staten Island.
After William's death, his wife Emily remarried in 1920 to Henry White. Emily lived to be 94 years old and passed away in 1946.
William Sloane's Grandchildren
William Sloane had many grandchildren. Some of them became well-known. His granddaughter Adele Hammond is the grandmother of actor Timothy Olyphant. Another granddaughter, Alice Frances Hammond, married the famous jazz musician Benny Goodman. His grandson John Henry Hammond became a famous talent scout in the music industry.
