Van Horne Sir William Cornelius 1843- Born In Will County
Illinois. Educated at the common schools. In 1857 entered the railway
service as telegraph operator on the Illinois Central Railway. After
serving in various capacities on railways in the United States, and
rising rapidly through all the grades, appointed in 1881 general manager
of the Canadian Pacific Railway; and since that date the vast extension
and financial success of the railway has been due largely to his energy
and resourcefulness. Became vice-president, 1884; president, 1888;
chairman of the board of directors, 1899-1910. In 1894 created K.C.M.G.