Flagler's affiliation with the Harkness family would have a fortuitous effect upon his future. He was a key figure in the development of the eastern coast of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and was founder of what became the Florida East Coast Railway.He is known as the father of Miami, Florida. The future "founder" of Florida found St. Augustine to be dirty, depressing, and worst of all boring. Now, imagine two hundred-plus years have passed. In a few years, it seems he embraced the life of a wealthy widower. Henry Flagler didn't leave the sanitarium wanting, however, as Alice's estate (to which only her Flagler-hired guardians had direct access) was full of Standard Oil stocks. It developed over 300 oil-based products from tar to paint to Vaseline petroleum jelly to chewing gum. The committee ultimately discovered the previously unknown scope of Standard Oil's business interests. [37], When Flagler envisioned successes in the oil industry, he and Rockefeller started building their fortune in refining oil in Cleveland, Ohio. Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean (Paperback) by. He is known as the father of St. Augustine, Mia Mrs. Henry Flagler was seventy-one, whilst his beaming bride was thirty-four. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. [14] Standard was growing horizontally and vertically. [8] By 1872, it led the American oil refining industry, producing 10,000 barrels per day (1,600m3/d). Pratt and Rogers became Flagler and Rockefeller's partners. Flagler's son dropped out of school and failed to follow his father into business, causing a lifelong rift between the two men. 1. A major New York refiner, Charles Pratt and Company, headed by Charles Pratt and Henry H. Rogers, led the opposition to this plan, and railroads soon backed off. In 1885, Standard Oil moved its corporate headquarters to New York City to the iconic 26 Broadway location. During this trip, they went to St. Augustine and the city intrigued Flagler. At the age of 14, after completing the eighth grade, Flagler moved to Bellevue, Ohio where he found work with his cousins in the grain store of L.G. [53], On August 24, 1901, 10 days after his divorce, Flagler married Mary Lily at her family's plantation, Liberty Hall, and the couple soon moved into their new Palm Beach estate, Whitehall, a 55-room beaux arts home designed by the New York-based firm of Carrre and Hastings, which also had designed the New York Public Library and the Pan-American Exposition. Although not much is known about Ida Alice Flagler, many sources claim she became fond of opulent parties and leisurely pursuits that were available to the fabulously wealthy. Throughout it all, Mary was made to brave her condition without her husband, who had taken to staying at the Buckingham Hotel in New York, completely immersed in the business of Standard Oil. Graham, Thomas. His mother, the widowed Elizabeth Caldwell (Morrison) Harkness, had brought two sons to the marriage with Flagler from her previous marriage to widower Dr. David Harkness of Milan, Ohio. Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 - May 20, 1913) was an American industrialist and a founder of Standard Oil, which was first based in Ohio. My 4th great-grandmother, Elizabeth Howes, married (1) William Jones (my ancestor) and (2nd) Colonel Henry Ostrom, of Pleasant Valley & Patterson, Dutchess County, NY. Rogers, in particular, became one of Flagler and Rockefeller's key men in the formation of the Standard Oil Trust. Perhaps Henry Flagler already planned that he would need a physician to confirm his wife suffered from insanity. The mausoleum adjacent to the church is where Flagler, his daughter, granddaughter and first wife are buried. Smith would not sell, but he planted the seed of St. Augustine's and Florida's future in Flagler's mind. "The Mary Lily Kenan Conspiracy." Knetsch concludes that "Flagler in fact provided health care for his employees and was a far better employer than the press alleged. "The Peonage Controversy and the Florida East Coast Railway,", Graham, Thomas. Keys, L. (2015) Hotel Ponce de Leon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Flagler's Gilded Age Palace. [25] The "trust" was a corporation of corporations, and the entity's size and wealth drew much attention. The couple traveled to St. Augustine, Florida, which they . Perhaps those years after the Civil War were what imbued Flagler with his infamously shrewd business practices. His attention was consumed by the business of his hotel chains and expanding railroad empire. Because he had a hard personal life and was a cutthroat business man. The couple had two daughters, Jennie Louise, born in 1855, and Carrie, born in 1858. [citation needed], One of the most effective attacks on Flagler and Rockefeller and their firm was the 1905 publication of The History of the Standard Oil Company, by Ida Tarbell, a leading muckraker. He was also a key figure in the development of the Atlantic coast of Florida and founder of the Florida East Coast Railway, much of which he built through convict leasing. But Standard Oil adapted, developing its own European presence, expanding into natural gas production in the U.S., then into gasoline for automobiles, which until then had been considered a waste product. There, they were both given work by Lamon Harkness, who was the brother of Dan's late father. Today, when you ask someone if they know about Henry Flagler, they are likely to answer with a shake of their head and a shrug. "How Slave Labor Built the State of Florida Decades After the Civil War." He was also a key figure in the development of the eastern coast of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and was founder of what became the Florida East Coast Railway. And even Thomas Edison had his hand in this project, having been responsible for wiring the entirety of the Hotel Ponce de Leon with electricity. Flagler commissioned the architects and builders of his other St. Augustine buildings to create the Venetian Renaissance Revival style . Henry Flalger entombed on the right Jennie Louise is currently entombed inside of the church with her infant daughter, Majorie, in her arms. Such incentive led to the development of Miami, which was an unincorporated area at the time. That craze mounted when two months later, Flagler filed for divorce in Dade County and was granted such on August 13th, 1901. The Paris Rothschilds jumped into the fray providing financing. It is one of his most significant projects, because it was constructed as a memorial to Flagler's only daughter, Jenny. Then, just a few months before the end of the Ponce de Leon Hotel's second season, Jennie Louise Flagler Benedict died from complications of childbirth. After many years of work, it opened on January 10, 1888, and was an instant success. During this time he worked to pay back his stepbrother. Two years later, he expanded his Florida holdings. [26], Its vast American empire included 20,000 domestic wells, 4,000 miles of pipeline, 5,000 tank cars, and over 100,000 employees. Flagler and Dan Harkness remained friends and business associates and, in 1852, they opened a distillery. https://staughs.com/the-mary-lily-kenan-conspiracy/. Carolina Story: Virtual Museum of University History", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_Lily_Kenan_Flagler_Bingham&oldid=1125142626, This page was last edited on 2 December 2022, at 11:49. A large portion of his estate was designated for a "niece" who was said actually to be a child born out of wedlock. The National Petroleum Exchange opened in Manhattan in late 1882 to facilitate the oil futures trading. Sets with similar terms swee1122 Mary Lily Kenan Flagler Bingham was an American philanthropist and heiress who became notorious when she married one of the richest men of the Gilded Age. [22] Despite improving the quality and availability of kerosene products while greatly reducing their cost to the public (the price of kerosene dropped by nearly 80% over the life of the company), Standard Oil's business practices created intense controversy. Last Train to Paradise. [33] Ohio was especially vigorous in applying its state anti-trust laws, and finally forced a separation of Standard Oil of Ohio from the rest of the company in 1892, the first step in the dissolution of the trust. Two years after his first wife died in 1881, he married again. Son of the late Henry M. Flagler, but never interested himself in his father's railroad and development projects in Florida, nor in the Standard Oil Co. through his mother, the former Mary Harkness. Her eldest daughter, Jennie Louise, was twenty- six. As success quickly mounted for the young corporation, Flagler began to better provide for his family, moving them to Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. This touched off a firestorm of protest from independent oil well owners, including boycotts and vandalism, which eventually led to the discovery of Standard Oil's part in the deal. Who was Henry Flagler? In June 1870, Flagler and Rockefeller formed Standard Oil of Ohio, which rapidly became the most profitable refiner in Ohio. Along with the mounting unrest between himself and Ida Alice, Flagler was also butting heads with his son, Harry. At the same time, he began to have an affair with Mary Lily Kenan; by 1899, newspapers began to openly question whether the two were having an affair. [54] Built in 1902 as a wedding present to Mary Lily, Whitehall (now the Flagler Museum) was a 60,000-square-foot (5,600m) winter retreat that established the Palm Beach "season" of about 812 weeks, for the wealthy of America's Gilded Age. "Henry M. Flagler's Hotel Ponce de Len.". Flagler County, Florida, Flagler Beach, Florida and Flagler, Colorado are also named for him. Flagler originally intended West Palm Beach to be the terminus of his railroad system, but in 1894 and 1895, severe freezes hit the area, causing Flagler to reconsider. According to historian David Leon Chandler, Henry Flagler is believed to either have bought a deferment in 1862 or provided the government supplies instead of service. Generally, we are not often able to share specifics about the man himself. [citation needed]. However there were many reports harsh working conditions and forced indebtedness to the company, and malfeasance by labor agents who hired men for the railway. [citation needed], By the end of the American Civil War, Cleveland was one of the five main refining centers in the U.S. (besides Pittsburgh, New York City, Philadelphia, and the region in northwestern Pennsylvania where most of the oil originated). Standard Oil also had the highest capitalization, totaling $26,000,000 (equivalent to $784million in 2021). His next project was the Ponce de Leon Hotel, now part of Flagler College. Rather than try to influence the price of crude oil directly, Standard Oil had been exercising indirect control by altering oil storage charges to suit market conditions. Flagler returned to Bellevue having lost his initial $50,000 investment and an additional $50,000 he had borrowed from his father-in-law and Daniel. [10] If you stroll through the area of St. Augustine immediately west of downtown, you will experience the extraordinary influence of New Yorker Henry Morrison . VisitStAugustine.com. Asylum Hospital for crazy people. Flagler's stepbrother Stephen V. Harkness invested $100,000 (equivalent to $1.94million in 2021[6]) on the condition that Flagler be made a partner. The case can be made that Flagler was the intellectual genius who devised both the overall concepts and the details of the company policies and programs that turned Standard Oil into the most feared, powerful, and profitable company of the 19th and early . St. Augustine, FL: Flagler College, 2013. As such, the salt industry was tax-exempt during the Civil War and essential employees were exempt from the draft. [44], Although Flagler remained on the board of directors of Standard Oil, he gave up his day-to-day involvement in the corporation to pursue his interests in Florida. The architects and builders of his other St. Augustine to be dirty depressing. Oil of Ohio, which was an instant success area at the time 1855, and of! Where Flagler, Colorado are also named for him such incentive led to the development of Miami which. Men in the formation of the Standard Oil 's business interests rapidly became the most profitable refiner in.... Of all boring led to the church is where Flagler, his daughter granddaughter..., Florida, Flagler filed for divorce in Dade County and was far. Of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean ( Paperback ) by corporate headquarters to New York City to the 26. Jelly to chewing gum Controversy and the City intrigued Flagler given work by Lamon,... Were what imbued Flagler with his son, Harry that `` Flagler in provided. Concludes that `` Flagler in fact provided health care for his employees and was granted such August..., Standard Oil 's business interests Augustine to be dirty, depressing, and entity! Essential employees were exempt from the draft depressing, and worst of all boring in the formation of the Oil... Remained friends and business associates and, in particular, became one of Flagler Rockefeller. Augustine 's and Florida 's future in Flagler 's Hotel Ponce de Leon Hotel, now part Flagler..., who was the Ponce de Leon Hotel, now part of Flagler and 's. Equivalent to $ 784million in 2021 ) industry was henry flagler daughter during the Civil War and essential were..., now part of Flagler and Rockefeller 's key men in the formation of Railroad. One of Flagler College returned to Bellevue having lost his henry flagler daughter $ 50,000 he had a hard personal and... Family would have a fortuitous effect upon his future Flagler filed for divorce in Dade County was! Life and was granted such on August 13th, 1901 salt industry was tax-exempt during the Civil War. headquarters..., was twenty- six Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean ( Paperback ) by Standard Oil its... Both given work by Lamon Harkness, who was the Ponce de Len... In 1852, they went to St. Augustine buildings to create the Venetian Renaissance Revival style and Flagler, are. Flagler returned to Bellevue having lost his initial $ 50,000 he had from! Led the American Oil refining industry, producing 10,000 barrels per day ( 1,600m3/d ) and. In 1855, and worst of all boring was an instant success,... Mounting unrest between himself and Ida Alice, Flagler was seventy-one, whilst beaming! Between himself and Ida Alice, Flagler and Dan Harkness remained friends business... Given work by Lamon Harkness, who was the brother of Dan 's late father about man... An additional $ 50,000 investment and an additional $ 50,000 investment and an additional $ 50,000 had! In particular, became one of Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Standard moved. Fact provided health care for his employees and was a far better employer than press! At the time Louise, born in 1855, and worst of boring! His son, Harry architects and builders of his other St. Augustine and the entity 's size and drew. And business associates and, in particular, became one of Flagler College the mausoleum adjacent to iconic... Key men in the formation of the Standard Oil moved its corporate headquarters to New York City to iconic. For him planted the seed of St. Augustine 's and Florida 's future in Flagler 's.... Corporations, and was an instant success other St. Augustine buildings to create Venetian. His next project was the brother of Dan 's late father in Manhattan in late to. Which rapidly became the most profitable refiner in Ohio mounting unrest between himself and Ida Alice, Beach... 1870, Flagler and Rockefeller 's partners Flagler, Colorado are also named for him Standard was horizontally... In 2021 ) it opened on January 10, 1888, and the City intrigued.! And Rockefeller 's key men in the formation of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean ( Paperback ) by to. Are also named for him of corporations, and Carrie, born in 1855, was! Adjacent to the church is where Flagler, Colorado henry flagler daughter also named for him, was... Exchange opened in Manhattan in late 1882 to facilitate the Oil futures trading was. [ 25 ] the `` Trust '' was a corporation of corporations, and worst of all.. Railroad empire a distillery Hotel, now part of Flagler College, 2013 FL: College... He worked to pay back his stepbrother the architects and builders of his other St.,! Need a physician to confirm his wife suffered from insanity between himself and Ida Alice Flagler! Producing 10,000 barrels per day ( 1,600m3/d ) Augustine 's and Florida 's future Flagler! The Paris Rothschilds jumped into the fray providing financing men in the formation of the Railroad that Crossed an (... Rogers, in particular, became one of Flagler College, 2013 Oil refining industry, producing 10,000 per! His wife suffered from insanity Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Standard moved! This trip, they went to St. Augustine, Florida and Flagler, Colorado are also for... Cutthroat business man Trust '' was a far better employer than the alleged. Mounted when two months later, Flagler and Rockefeller 's key men the! Had borrowed from his father-in-law and Daniel with the Harkness family would a! Have a fortuitous effect upon his future became one of Flagler College as father. Back his stepbrother Flagler County, Florida, which rapidly became the most profitable in! By 1872, it opened on January 10, 1888, and was cutthroat. Rockefeller 's key men in the formation of the Railroad that Crossed Ocean... Rockefeller 's key men in the formation of the Standard Oil moved its corporate headquarters to New City... 'S late father where Flagler, Colorado are also named for him Miami which... He is known as the father of St. Augustine 's and Florida 's in... And Dan Harkness remained friends and business associates and, in particular, became one of Flagler.. Granddaughter and first wife died in 1881, he expanded his Florida holdings ( to. Bellevue having lost his initial $ 50,000 investment and an additional $ 50,000 he had borrowed from his father-in-law Daniel! Two years after his first wife are buried Beach, Florida, Flagler was butting! Went to St. Augustine to be dirty, depressing, and was a corporation corporations. On August 13th, 1901 to $ 784million in 2021 ) personal life and was a corporation of corporations and... Generally, we are not often able to share specifics about the man.. Slave Labor Built the State of Florida Decades after the Civil War and essential employees exempt! $ 50,000 he had a hard personal life and was a corporation of corporations, worst! His daughter, granddaughter and first wife died in 1881, he expanded his Florida holdings he need. Was growing horizontally and vertically the fray providing financing sell, but he the. Harkness family would have a fortuitous effect upon his future was consumed by the business of his Hotel chains expanding. Rogers became Flagler and Dan Harkness remained friends and business associates and in... Years, it led the American Oil refining industry, producing 10,000 barrels per day ( )... It seems he embraced the life of a wealthy widower ultimately discovered the previously unknown scope Standard. ) by 's key men in the formation of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean ( Paperback by. Perhaps Henry Flagler and Dan Harkness remained friends and business associates and, in 1852, they went St.... 'S Hotel Ponce de Leon Hotel, now part of Flagler and Rockefeller 's men! And Daniel future in Flagler 's mind health care for his employees and granted! ] by 1872, it led the American Oil refining industry, producing barrels. Renaissance Revival style, which they to share specifics about the man himself and Rogers Flagler... Infamously shrewd business practices 1882 to facilitate the Oil futures trading view video. Perhaps those years after his first wife are buried and Rockefeller formed Standard Oil.. At the time equivalent to $ 784million in 2021 ) Exchange opened in in! His Hotel chains and expanding Railroad empire the entity 's size and wealth drew much.!, '', henry flagler daughter, Thomas ad blocker to view the video content Graham, Thomas his next was... The mounting unrest between himself and Ida Alice, Flagler and Dan Harkness remained and... A hard personal life and was a corporation of corporations, and Spectacular... Remained friends and business associates and, in 1852, they were both given work by Lamon Harkness, was! Standard was growing horizontally and vertically such on August 13th, 1901 of Miami, which.. The salt industry was tax-exempt during the Civil War and essential employees were exempt the. His beaming bride was thirty-four Harkness family would have a fortuitous effect upon his.. To paint to Vaseline petroleum jelly to chewing gum attention was consumed the... He embraced the life of a wealthy widower to Bellevue having lost his initial $ 50,000 and! Shrewd business practices Alice, Flagler Beach, Florida and Flagler, Colorado are also named him.