GGGilded Greats

Charles W. Harkness

Key figure

Charles W. Harkness

Born 1860

Born 1860
Married William (Bill) Hale Harkness 1896 (Charles 36)

Lamon's half-brother; temporarily interred in Lamon's mausoleum.

Lamon's half-brother; temporarily interred in Lamon's mausoleum.

Across the archive

Stories featuring Charles W. Harkness

Historical article

The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925

The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925. A Standard Oil Fortune Summers in Maine. As principals in the formidable Standard Oil trust, the Harkness family occupied a rarified position within America’s Gilded Age aristocracy.

Historical article

Stephen V. Harkness – Standard Oil Venture Capitalist

Stephen Vanderburgh Harkness (1818-1888) was an Ohio-based American businessman. He played a crucial role in the establishment of Standard Oil, serving as a “Venture Capitalist” alongside John D.

Historical article

Where did all the money go?

The Standard Oil fortune was a tidal wave of cash that either built the foundations of modern America or dissolved into a haze of eccentric scandals, proving that inheriting a billion dollars is often the quickest way to lose your mind.

Historical article

The Sinking of the Gunilda

William L. Harkness, son of Daniel M. Harkness of Bellevue, Ohio, lived a more adventurous life than his father, who stayed in Bellevue and lived a quiet life in a small town.

Historical article

The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht

Charles W. Harkness’s first yachting experiences were on his father’s boats Peerless and Twilight.

Historical article

Edward S. Harkness gives away the family fortune

Detailed Life Events Born January 22, 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio Died January 29, 1940 (aged 66) Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery Bronx, New York Education St.

Historical article

Lamon V. Harkness

Historical article

Charles W. Harkness

Charles William Harkness (December 17, 1860 – May 1, 1916) was the son of Stephen V.

Historical article

Anna Maria (Richardson) Harkness

Anna Maria (Richardson) Harkness turned a Standard Oil inheritance into a philanthropic legacy, supporting hospitals, universities and the arts and founding the Commonwealth Fund.

Historical article

C.W. and W.L. Harkness in Newport, RI

There have been a few times in this Harkness/Flagler journey that have surprised me.

Historical article

The Harkness/Flagler Timeline

View Timeline It’s often fascinating to observe historical events and their connection to concurrent events occurring at the same time.

Life and connections

1860
Charles W. Harkness born
December 17, 1860
Birth of Charles William Harkness (2)
Charles William Harkness (2) was born in Monroeville, Ohio.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1881
Daniel M. Harkness worked with Amos Woodward and Charles Foster to influence Nickel Plate Railroad officials
In 1881, Daniel M. Harkness worked with Amos Woodward and politician Charles Foster to influence Nickel Plate Railroad officials to establish their line through Bellevue.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1883
Charles William Harkness (23) earned a B.A. from Yale College (Class of 1883)
Charles William Harkness (23) earned a B.A. from Yale College with the Class of 1883. While at Yale, he was described as “carefree, happy, irresponsible as the rest of us.”
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1885
Stephen Vanderburgh Harkness (67) bought the Peerless in 1885 (with Charles W.)
The article states that Stephen Vanderburgh Harkness (67) and Charles W. bought the 147 ft Peerless steam schooner in 1885.
From the story: Stephen V. Harkness – Standard Oil Venture Capitalist
1886
Charles W. Harkness (26) inherited Peerless from his father (Peerless May 22, 1886 is mentioned)
The article states that Charles W. Harkness (26)’s first yachting experiences were on his father’s boats Peerless and Twilight, and it also notes “The Peerless May 22, 1886.”
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1891
July 1891: Charles W. Harkness (31) and Mary Warden Harkness (with Edward S. Harkness (17)) arrive at Bar Harbor aboard the Peerless
The Bar Harbor Record noted the arrival of the “handsome steam yacht” Peerless from New York, and reported that a party including Charles W. Harkness (31), Mrs. Harkness, and E. S. Harkness spent a Sunday at the Louisburg hotel.
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
1894
August 1894: Charles W. Harkness (34) arrives at Bar Harbor aboard the Peerless with Edward S. Harkness (20)
The Peerless returned in August 1894 arriving from Newport with its owner, Charles W. Harkness (34), aboard. The guest list included Mary Warden Warden and Edith Worder Warden (Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus’s sister).
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
May 27, 1896
Marriage of Charles William Harkness (36) and Mary Warden
Charles William Harkness (36) married Mary Warden in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1899
Florence Harkness Severance — planning and ground-breaking for Harkness Chapel
Shortly after Florence Harkness Severance’s death, Louis Severance and Anna M. Richardson Harkness (62) provided funds to erect a building in her memory at Western Reserve College. Louis Severance, Henry R. Hatch, and Hiram Haydn formed a planning committee and hired Charles F. Schweinfurth as architects. Ground was broken on June 14, 1899.
From the story: Florence Harkness Severance
1902
Charles William Harkness (42) and Mary Warden visited Elizabeth Bushnell Warden Ketterlinus and John Ketterlinus at Bide-a-While
In 1902, Charles William Harkness (42) and Mary Warden visited Elizabeth Bushnell Warden Ketterlinus and John Ketterlinus at their summer home called Bide-a-While in Bar Harbor.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1906
Charles W. Harkness (46) sold Peerless
The article states that Charles W. Harkness (46) sold Peerless in 1906.
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1907
Charles W. Harkness (47)’s Agawa won the Mill Trophy
The article states that Agawa won the Mill Trophy, an award for a long-distance yacht race, in 1907.
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1909
Charles W. Harkness (49)’s Agawa won the Mill Trophy again
The article states that Agawa won the Mill Trophy again in 1909.
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1909
Lamon V. Harkness: meeting Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary on the way to the North Pole during 1909
In 1909, during one of Lamon V. Harkness’s adventures on the Wakiva, Lamon V. Harkness met Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary on his way to the North Pole; Peary’s notes describe encountering Harkness’s Wakiva at Cape St. Charles and later stopping again at Hawks Harbor.
From the story: Wakiva II Yacht – Lamon V. Harkness
1911
Charles Harkness (51) spends time in Newport, Rhode Island in 1911
In 1911, Charles Harkness (51) and his family spent time in Newport, Rhode Island at the Harriman cottage (with the Ivy Lodge identified as the former Harriman Cottage). The article says it was uncertain whether the Harrimans shared the cottage, but it suggests they likely rented the whole cottage.
From the story: C.W. and W.L. Harkness in Newport, RI
1911
Charles Harkness (51) sails the yacht Agawa to Newport, Rhode Island in 1911
The article says it is likely that each of the Harkness families sailed their yachts Gunilda and Agawa to Newport that summer, and identifies Agawa as a Charles Harkness (51) yacht.
From the story: C.W. and W.L. Harkness in Newport, RI
1911
Aviation contract involving Charles F. Walsh and Harry Stephen Harkness at North Island, San Diego
On March 4, 1911, Harry Stephen Harkness contracted early aviator Charles F. Walsh to build an airplane for use by Harry Stephen Harkness’s chief mechanic John Kiley at the Harkness camp established on North Island in San Diego, California; Walsh delivered the plane to the aviation camp at North Island on April 7, 1911.
From the story: Harry S. Harkness
1912
Charles Harkness (52) and Edward Harkness (38) family visit Bar Harbor, Maine in the 1912 timeframe
The article says the author connected with the proprietors of Bide-a-While in Bar Harbor, Maine and found out that the Charles Harkness (52) and Edward Harkness (38) family visited there in a 1912 timeframe.
From the story: C.W. and W.L. Harkness in Newport, RI
1912
Summer 1912: Charles W. Harkness (52) and Mary Warden Harkness are honored by J. L. Ketterlinus and Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus
J. L. Ketterlinus and Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus hosted a “large reception and afternoon tea” in honor of Charles W. Harkness (52) and Mary Warden Harkness, described as the “first garden party of the summer.”
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
1912
August 1912: Charles W. Harkness (52) and Mary Warden Harkness host J. L. Ketterlinus and Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus on the Agawa
After spending “some weeks” as guests at Bide-a-While, Charles W. Harkness (52) and Mary Warden Harkness hosted J. L. Ketterlinus and Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus for a cruise aboard the Agawa.
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
1914
July 1914: Charles W. Harkness (54) and Mary Warden Harkness arrive on the Agawa to be entertained by J. L. Ketterlinus and Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus
The article reports arrivals of Charles W. Harkness (54) and Mary Warden Harkness on the Agawa, highlighting that Mary Warden Harkness was visiting her sister, Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus, and that the couple was being entertained by them.
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
Fall 1915
Illness of Charles William Harkness (55)
Charles William Harkness (55) fell seriously ill in the fall of 1915.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1915
August 1915: Charles W. Harkness (55) and Mary Warden Harkness arrive on the Agawa to be entertained by J. L. Ketterlinus and Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus
The article again reports arrivals of Charles W. Harkness (55) and Mary Warden Harkness on the Agawa, stating that Mrs. Harkness was visiting her sister, Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus.
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
Winter 1915–1916
Charles William Harkness (55) spent part of winter at Warden Castle
After spending part of winter in St. Augustine at his wife Mary Warden’s family home at Warden Castle, Charles William Harkness (55) returned home to New York.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1916
Mary Harkness Flagler died May 18, 1881
After Henry M. Flagler sold the Euclid Avenue home in Cleveland to Charles Brush in April 1881, Mary Harkness Flagler died on May 18, 1881; at that time Harry Harkness Flagler was 11.
From the story: Harry Harkness Flagler
1916
Charles W. Harkness (56) passed away
The article states that Charles W. Harkness (56) passed away on May 1, 1916.
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1916
1916: Mary Warden Harkness takes an independent residence after the death of Charles W. Harkness (56)
After Charles W. Harkness (56)’s death, it was reported that J. L. Ketterlinus and Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus planned to “spend a very quiet summer” at Bide-a-While, and that Mary Warden Harkness took up an independent residence, “passing the season at Grey Rock, Harbourside” in Bar Harbor.
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
May 1, 1916
Death of Charles William Harkness (56)
Charles William Harkness (56) died May 1, 1916, in New York after returning from St. Augustine.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
May 1, 1916
Initial interment of Charles William Harkness (56) at Woodlawn
Charles William Harkness (56) was initially interred at Woodlawn, Bronx, New York, in the L. V. Harkness Mausoleum.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1918
Anna M. Richardson Harkness (81) — financed chapel changes
In 1918, Charles F. Schweinfurth redesigned the transepts of Harkness Chapel, and the addition was financed by Anna M. Richardson Harkness (81).
From the story: Florence Harkness Severance
1919-05-10
Stephen V. Harkness died; Charles William Harkness (59) inherited stock and became a director
Upon the death of Stephen V. Harkness in 1888, Charles William Harkness (59) inherited stock in Standard Oil amounting to the second largest holding in the company, surpassed only by that of the Rockefeller family. Charles William Harkness (59) became a director at Standard Oil and was also a director of the Southern Pacific Railway Company, the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Tilden Iron Mining Company, and he managed his father’s holdings.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness