Write info here about their childhood cornelius vanderbilt
One of the wealthiest Americans in history, Cornelius Vanderbilt was born on May 27, 1794 on Staten Island, New York. He was the fourth of nine children born to Cornelius Vanderbilt and Phebe Hand. His father ran a modest ferry business that young Cornelius helped operate from a very early age.
Vanderbilt's father died when he was just 11 years old, leaving him with no inheritance and a large family to support. This experience forced Vanderbilt to grow up quickly and take on increasing responsibilities to help provide for his family. By the age of 16, he had already started his own ferry business, running a route between Staten Island and Manhattan.
Despite little formal education, Vanderbilt's entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen allowed him to quickly amass a small fortune. He eventually expanded his business interests to include steamship and railroad enterprises, becoming one of the wealthiest men in America by the time of his death in 1877.
Vanderbilt's childhood experiences of hardship and self-reliance greatly influenced his later success as a business tycoon. He credited his early struggles with instilling in him the drive and determination needed to overcome obstacles and achieve his ambitious goals.