Robert R. Young
Canadian, Hemphill County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(February 14, 1897 - January 25, 1958) A leader in America's finance and transportation. Born here, in house built by lawyer Temple Houston, son of Republic of Texas President Sam Houston. His grandfather was traildriver, pioneer rancher; his father, president of the first bank in Canadian. Educated at Old Canadian Academy, Culver Military Academy (where he won highest honors), University of Virginia. Married, 1916, Anita O'Keeffe, sister of the famous painter Georgia O'Keeffe. Had a daughter. One of close friends was King Edward VIII of England. Assistant to treasurer of General Motors, 1920s. Made fortune in stock market in 1929. After years on Wall Street, won acclaim of financial world in a proxy battle to gain control of and modernize New York Central Railroad. In this fight, enlisted aid of Texas friends Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson. Until 1939, retained banking interests in Canadian. Was a lifelong member of Presbyterian church here. Remembered native state with gifts of rare papers to University of Texas. Restored an historic local burial ground, naming it "Edith Ford Cemetery," to honor an aunt who reared him after early death of his mother. Maintained close ties (in visits, hunting trips, correspondence) with people known in boyhood. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in Canadian, Texas, in 1897 in a house built by Sam Houston's son, Robert R. Young rose from a rancher's grandson to one of America's most daring financiers. After making a stock-market fortune and years on Wall Street, he won national fame in a 1954 proxy battle to seize and modernize the New York Central Railroad, backing his fight with Texas oil money from friends Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson. He kept lifelong ties to his hometown, restoring a local cemetery and endowing the University of Texas with rare papers.
Why it matters
Young personified the mid-century clash over control of America's railroads and the outsized role Texas capital played in reshaping national finance.
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Related people
- · Robert R. Young
- · Anita O'Keeffe
- · Georgia O'Keeffe
- · Temple Houston
Themes & tags
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