Who was James J Hill and what did he do?

Who was James J Hill and what did he do?

James J. Hill, in full James Jerome Hill, (born September 16, 1838, near Guelph, Ontario, Canada—died May 29, 1916, St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.), American financier and railroad builder who helped expand rail networks in the northwestern United States.

Who were the leaders in the railroad industry during the 1800s?

These men, names like James Hill, Jay and George Gould, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Edward Harriman, and Collis P. Huntington are largely responsible for building much of the country’s network.

Was James J Hill a robber baron or a captain of industry?

James J. Hill (1838 – 1916) was a railroad industrialist who was known as ‘The Empire Builder’. Unlike many of the Robber Barons he was supportive of farmers and during the depression and times of drought he donated cattle and grain to the farmers. He deserved the name as one of the Captains of Industry.

How was James J Hill a captain of industry?

Why is he a Captain of Industry? James Hill was one of the most inspiring business leaders in his lifetime because he knew the keys to running a profitable business. James Hill was a Captain on Industry because he worked to improve the railroads for everyone around.

Who was the railroad magnate?

Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt, byname Commodore Vanderbilt, (born May 27, 1794, Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, U.S.—died January 4, 1877, New York, New York), American shipping and railroad magnate who acquired a personal fortune of more than $100 million.

Who owned most of the railroad industry?

When he died, railroads had become the greatest force in modern industry, and Vanderbilt was the richest man in Europe or America, and the largest owner of railroads in the world.

Who started Burlington Northern railroad?

Its founder was Cyrus K. Holliday, a Topeka lawyer and business promoter, who sought to build a railroad along the Santa Fe Trail, a 19th-century trading route that ran from Independence, Mo., to Santa Fe, N.M. The railroad’s main line to the Colorado state line was completed in 1872.