William Kissam Vanderbilt Sr. (1849–1920) • FamilySearch

William Kissam Vanderbilt Sr.

Brief Life History of William Kissam

When William Kissam Vanderbilt Sr. was born on 12 December 1849, in New Dorp, Richmond, New York, United States, his father, William Henry Vanderbilt I, was 28 and his mother, Maria Louisa Kissam, was 28. He married Alva Erskine Stirling Smith on 20 April 1875, in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 1 daughter. He lived in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States for about 10 years and United States in 1920. He died on 22 July 1920, in Paris, Île-de-France, France, at the age of 70, and was buried in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp, Staten Island, New York City, New York, United States.

Photos and Memories (9)

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Family Time Line

William Kissam Vanderbilt Sr.
1849–1920
Alva Erskine Stirling Smith
1852–1933
Marriage: 20 April 1875
Consuelo Vanderbilt
1877–1964
William Kissam Vanderbilt Jr.
1878–1944
Harold Stirling Vanderbilt
1884–1970

Sources (62)

  • William K Vanderbilt, "United States Census, 1920"
  • Wm Kissam Vanderbilt, "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940"
  • William K. Vanderbilt, "Find A Grave Index"

World Events (8)

1851 · Constitution of 1851

Due to the state’s financial crisis during the previous decade and growing criticism toward state government. Voters approve the Constitution of 1851 which forbade the state government from going into debt.

1852 · The Second Empire

During the second empire Emperor Napoleon III reigned. The country experienced economic growth and gained favorable foreign policies.

1868 · Impeach the President!

Caused by many crimes and breaking the Tenure of Office Act, Many Senators and House Representatives became angry with President Johnson and began discussions of his Impeachment. After a special session of Congress, the Articles of Impeachment were approved by the House and then the Senate. Making Andrew Johnson the first President to be Impeached.

Name Meaning

Dutch (Van der Bilt): topographic name for someone living by a low hill, from bilt, a variant of bult ‘low hill’. De Bilt is the name of an area just northeast of Utrecht.

History: Cornelius van der Bilt came from the Netherlands to Long Island, NY, in the second half of the 17th century. His descendant Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794–1877), financier and railroad and shipping magnate, was born on Staten Island, NY. He was the founder of a family of powerful financiers.

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

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