Frederick Billings (1823-1890)
of "The Hill" Woodstock, Vermont; President of the Northern Pacific Railroad
He was born into a farming family in Royalton, Vermont, and was raised in Woodstock. He graduated from the University of Vermont before heading west during the California Gold Rush in 1849. He was the first lawyer to open an office in San Francisco and laid the bedrock of his fortune specializing in land claims during California's early statehood. His legal expertise and business acumen eventually led him into railroad investment. In 1870, he became a co-founder and director of the Northern Pacific Railroad, purchasing one of the original twelfth interests. He received credit for rescuing the Northern Pacific after the Financial Panic of 1873 and was appointed President (1879-81), spearheading its successful transcontinental completion.
He resigned the presidency after a hostile takeover in 1881, but remained on the board of directors and oversaw the railroad's construction through to completion in 1883. The city of Billings, Montana, was established on the railroad in 1882 and was named in his honor. In 1869, he purchased the 246-acre Marsh estate back in his native Woodstock, making significant alterations to the house (see images) that still stands today. In retirement, he devoted himself to his Woodstock projects, focusing on conservation and scientific agriculture. In 1862, he married Julia, daughter of Dr. Eleazer Parmly, a pioneering dentist of Bingham Hill, New Jersey, and they were the parents of seven children (listed).
He resigned the presidency after a hostile takeover in 1881, but remained on the board of directors and oversaw the railroad's construction through to completion in 1883. The city of Billings, Montana, was established on the railroad in 1882 and was named in his honor. In 1869, he purchased the 246-acre Marsh estate back in his native Woodstock, making significant alterations to the house (see images) that still stands today. In retirement, he devoted himself to his Woodstock projects, focusing on conservation and scientific agriculture. In 1862, he married Julia, daughter of Dr. Eleazer Parmly, a pioneering dentist of Bingham Hill, New Jersey, and they were the parents of seven children (listed).
