Thomas C. Durant born February 6, 1820 in Lee Massachusetts. Helping build the Union Pacific Railroad Thomas C. Durant had the position of vice president and financed the Union Pacific Railroad. Studying at Albany Medical College Dr Durant became a physician. Later pursuing his life in business he became the director of his Uncle's grain exporting company. Thomas C. Durant had realized that business had well suited him. As time progressed in his new job of business Thomas C. Durant found the need of resource transportation. Then becoming colleagues with Henry Farnam, Henry Farnam Being a civil engineer, recognized the similar problem with transportation. They teamed up in 1853 contracting the Missouri Railroad, in building the first bridge across the Mississippi River. Later a boat collided with their bridge which caused a confrontation. They were sued for this. Thomas C. Durant hired his private attorney, Abraham Lincoln, who later became the President of the United States After this Abraham Lincoln selected Thomas C. Durant's new company The Union Pacific.
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Abraham Lincoln serves as attorney representing Thomas Durant and Henry Farnam, later resulting in the success of Dr. Durant's and Mr. Farnam's UP Railroad
Scandals
Dr. Durant was not just a great leader and entrepreneur, but he was also a scam artist and manipulator. Durant mentioned the connection of his railroad the Union Pacific and the Missouri rail and sold his stock for a profit, then mentioned another union of railroads, causing more profit on his original holdings. Nathan Dodge said "It is the smartest operation ever done in stocks and could never be done again."
Thomas c. Durant deceived the his board of directors and the government in shady contracts which directed building funds directly to him. Durant used these funds for his personal enjoyment. Durant obtained a contract with Credit Mobilier, which was then transferred back to him as general contractor, and he "paid" his friends with government subsidies.
I discovered this painting at Gold Hill Inn when a man walked up to me and told me that the vice president Durant's head was painted in on the Buffalo's butt calling him an ass because he did not pay the artist for the painting.
Family
Durant married Hanna Trimble and they had two children. Son William West Durant became an architect, while daughter Heloise became a successful playwright and noted author. She was a signatory for a petition to Columbia University for women's rights, along with Theodore Roosevelt and Susan B. Anthony. Thomas C. Durant died in Warren County, New York on October 5, 1885.