Collis Potter Huntington, an American entrepreneur, was born on October 22, 1821, in Harwinton, Connecticut. At the age of 16, he started working as a travelling salesman and eventually co-founded a general store with his brother in 1842. However, his true success began when he moved to Sacramento, California, at the start of the gold rush. It was there that he embarked on his journey to become one of the most influential figures in American railway history.
Huntington, along with his partners Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins Jr., and Charles Crocker, is considered one of the "Big Four" who built the Central Pacific Railroad. This railroad network completed North America's first transcontinental railroad, connecting the East and West coasts of the United States. Huntington played a crucial role in the construction and expansion of the railway lines, which revolutionized transportation in the country.
In addition to the Central Pacific Railroad, Huntington was also responsible for the development of other major railway lines, including the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. By developing this railway, he helped transform Guyandotte, West Virginia, into a thriving city that was later named Huntington in his honor. His innovative approach to railway construction and management left a lasting impact on the transportation industry.
Huntington was married to Elizabeth Stillman Stoddard from 1844 until her death in 1883. In 1884, he remarried Arabella D. Worsham. Together, they had nine children, creating a strong family legacy that would continue to influence American history for generations to come.
Collis Potter Huntington's contributions to the railway industry earned him a place among the most influential figures in American history. His dedication to building railway networks that connected people and communities across the country paved the way for future innovations in transportation. Alongside his fellow business partners, Huntington's legacy as one of the "Big Four" of the Central Pacific Railroad will forever be remembered in the annals of American history.