The New Student's Reference Work/Van Horne, Sir Wm. Cornelius

Van Horne, Sir Wm. Cornelius, K. C. M. G., president of the Canadian Pacific Railroad since 1888, was born in Will County, Ill., Feb. 3, 1843, and entered railway service in 1857. After filling various junior posts, he rose to be general superintendent of the Chicago and Alton and subsequently of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. In 1884 he became general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and in 1888 was elected to the presidency of the road. He was knighted in 1894.