Key figure

William (Bill) Hale Harkness

Born July 13, 1900 · Cleveland, Ohio
Married Charles W. Harkness 1896 (Charles 36)
Married Rebekah Semple (West) Harkness 1948 (William 48, Rebekah 33) · widowed 1982 · 34 years

Rebekah’s husband from 1948; his death left her a $30 million inheritance. The article gives conflicting accounts of his death date.

Life and connections

8 August 1858
William L Harkness born
William L. Harkness was born to Daniel M. and Isabella Harkness in Bellevue, Ohio
December 17, 1860
Birth of Charles William Harkness (2)
Charles William Harkness (2) was born in Monroeville, Ohio.
From the story: Charles W. Harkness
1867
John D. Rockefeller (28), Daniel M. Harkness, Henry M. Flagler (37), and Stephen V. Harkness (49) unite firms to form Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler
The article states that in the year 1867 the firms of William Rockefeller & Co., Rockefeller & Andrews, Rockefeller & Co., and S. V. Harkness and H. M. Flagler united in forming the firm of Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler.
From the story: John D. Rockefeller & The Standard Oil Partners: Flagler and Harkness
1870
The Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler partnership grew into the Standard Oil Corporation
The article states that the partnership grew into the Standard Oil Corporation in 1870, with articles of incorporation signed by John D. Rockefeller (31), Henry Morrison Flagler (40), Sam Andrews, Stephen V. Harkness (52), and William Rockefeller.
From the story: Start Here: Scandal, Success, Oil and Steam: The Incredible Story of Henry Flagler and the Harkness Family
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
1888
Stephen V. Harkness (70) died; Charles William Harkness (28) inherited stock and became a director
Upon the death of Stephen V. Harkness (70) in 1888, Charles William Harkness (28) 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 (28) 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
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
1896
Daniel M. Harkness died in 1896
Daniel M. Harkness died in 1896. The article states his estate was estimated at 35 million dollars and that it was left to his only surviving child, William L. Harkness.
From the story: Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio
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
1897
William L. Harkness and Gunilda: launch in 1897 (Ramage & Ferguson build)
Gunilda was built in 1897 by Ramage & Ferguson in Leith, Scotland, designed by Joseph Edwin Wilkins, launched on April 1, 1897, and cost about $200,000 to build.
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
1898
William L. Harkness and Gunilda: ownership transition around 1898
Between 1897 and 1898, Gunilda was owned by either J. M. Sladen or by A. R. Sladen and J. M. Sladen with home port Wivenhoe in England; her second owner, F. W. Sykes, owned her between 1898 and 1903, during which time her home port was Leith.
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
1900-07-13
William (Bill) Hale Harkness born
Born in Cleveland, Ohio.
1901
William L. Harkness and Gunilda: charter by a New York Yacht Club member
In 1901, Gunilda was chartered by a member of the New York Yacht Club of New York City and sailed over the Atlantic Ocean with 25 crewmen aboard.
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
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
1902
Birth of William Hale Harkness (2)
The article says William Hale Harkness (2) was 46 in 1948, implying a birth year of 1902.
From the story: Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”
1902
William L. Harkness and Gunilda: William L. Harkness purchases and makes her flagship
In 1902, Gunilda was purchased by William L. Harkness. When he purchased her, Gunilda was officially registered in New York City and became the new flagship of the New York Yacht Club.
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
1904
William L. Harkness and Gunilda: home port becomes New York City in 1904
Under William L. Harkness’s ownership, Gunilda’s home port became New York City in 1904 (the article notes that it was Philadelphia in 1903 and New York City in 1904).
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
1905
Paul Dana subdivided Dosoris and sold 15 acres to William L. Harkness
Paul Dana subdivided Dosoris and sold 15 acres to William L. Harkness.
From the story: William Lamon 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
Eolia sold to Edward and Mary Harkness
Jessie Stillman and William Taylor sold Eolia to Edward and Mary Harkness; the property became one of their seven homes and their favorite.
From the story: Eolia Mansion – Edward Harkness
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
1910
William L. Harkness and Gunilda: extended cruise on the Great Lakes in 1910
In 1910, William L. Harkness brought Gunilda to the Great Lakes to perform an extended cruise.
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
1911
William Harkness’s yacht Gunilda sinks in Lake Superior in August 1911
The article states that William Harkness’s yacht Gunilda sunk in Lake Superior later in the summer in August 1911, and describes this as the last time Gunilda would see Newport.
From the story: C.W. and W.L. Harkness in Newport, RI
1911
William L. Harkness and Edith Harkness: grounding and sinking of Gunilda in August 1911
In August 1911, William L. Harkness, Edith Harkness, and their family and friends were on an extended tour of the north shore of Lake Superior. The plan was to fish for speckled trout in Lake Nipigon, requiring travel to Rossport, Ontario, then into Nipigon Bay and through the Schreiber Channel. When Gunilda was about 5 miles off Rossport, she ran hard aground on McGarvey Shoal (Old Man’s Hump), slid off, then keeled over as her masts hit the water; water poured through openings and Gunilda sank within minutes. The crew of James Whalen cut the towline. The article states Lloyd’s of London paid out a $100,000 insurance policy, 'half of what it cost to build it.'
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
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
1913
William L. Harkness contracted James Gamble Rogers in 1913
In 1913, William L. Harkness contracted James Gamble Rogers to build a more elegant residence on his Dosoris property.
From the story: The Gold Coast of Long Island and Harkness
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
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
1917
William L. Harkness volunteered the Agawa for WWI service (it became USS Cythera)
The article states that when the United States entered World War One, William L. Harkness volunteered the Agawa for service, and on 20 October 1917 the Agawa became the USS Cythera (SP 575).
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1917
Donated “William” the Hippo
Edward S. Harkness (43) donated the hippo statuette that became The Met’s unofficial mascot.
From the story: Robber Baron – Yes or No?
1919
William L. Harkness passed away
The article states that the Cythera was scheduled to be returned to her owner on 19 March 1919, but unfortunately William L. Harkness passed away on May 10, 1919.
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1919
Death in New Hyde Park, New York
William Lamon Harkness (61) died on May 10, 1919 in New Hyde Park, New York.
From the story: William Lamon Harkness
1922
William Hale Harkness (22) becomes an initial investor in Time magazine
The article states that in 1922, William Hale Harkness (22) and his mother were initial investors in a publishing venture launched by Briton Hadden and Henry R. Luce, which became Time, The Weekly News Magazine.
From the story: Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”
1927
Harkness Hall at Yale University completed
Harkness Hall at Yale University was completed in 1927 as a gift of William L. Harkness and his family.
From the story: William Lamon Harkness
1927
Myrtle Harkness Macomber and Kingsley Macomber (52) sell Paicines Ranch in 1927 and buy Poissy in 1927
The Macombers sold the Paicines Ranch in 1927 and bought St. Louis de Poissy horse operations in France from William K. Vanderbilt.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1932
William Hale “Bill” Harkness married Elisabeth Grant
William Hale Harkness (32) married Elisabeth Grant in 1932.
From the story: William Lamon Harkness
1947
William Hale Harkness (47) married Rebekah Semple West Pierce
William Hale Harkness (47) married Rebekah Semple West Pierce on October 1, 1947.
From the story: William Lamon Harkness
1948
Marriage of Rebekah Harkness (33) and William Hale Harkness (48)
In 1948, Rebekah Harkness (33) married William Hale Harkness (48).
Married 34 years, until Rebekah’s death (1982)
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1954
Death of William Hale Harkness (54)
William Hale Harkness (54) died in 1954 after collapsing at Holiday House due to a fatal heart attack.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1956
Death of William Hale Harkness (56)
The article says William Hale Harkness (56) passed away from a heart attack at age 54 after 6 years of marriage to Rebekah Semple West; since he was 46 in 1948, this implies a death year of 1956.
From the story: Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”
2020
Taylor Swift releases “The Last Great American Dynasty”
The article states that in 2020 Taylor Swift paid homage to William Hale Harkness (120) and Rebekah Semple West on her Folklore album with the song “The Last Great American Dynasty.”
From the story: Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”