Collis P. Huntington

Full Name: Collis Potter Huntington
Profession: Business Tycoon

Nationality:

Biography: Collis P. Huntington became a powerful railroad magnate, building and promoting railroads during the 19th century across America.

Huntington was one of the "big four" of railroad magnates, who included Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford, and Charles Crocker. They formed a joint incorporation of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1861, aiming to link California to the east coast by rail.

Huntington served as the group's political lobbyist, convincing US Congress to provide both legislation and finance. In 1865 the group formed the South Pacific railroad and built routes to link southern California to New Orleans.

In 1869 he bought the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and extended it, linking San Francisco with Huntington in West Virginia. The city of Huntington was named after him.

Born: October 22, 1821
Birthplace: Harwinton, Connecticut, USA
Star Sign: Libra

Died: August 13, 1900 (aged 78)