Pupil and disciple of Frederick Law Olmstead, and for sixty years Chief Superintendent and Head Caretaker for America's largest estate, 'Biltmore' - owned by Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt.
Receiving his early education in horticulture at Ontario Agricultural College and Cornell University, he was hired in 1889 by Frederick Law Olmstead to oversee the nursery at 'Biltmore Estate' in Ashville, North Carolina on a temporary basis. So young was he that upon his first day of arrival, the Vanderbilts insisted that he be given an easier task, as the current one was difficult. Determined to make an impression on the family, he went right along with his original task and impressed them so much that they hired him. He quickly worked his way up and in 1890 he was given the position of Head caretaker. He oversaw the gardens, the staff, the house, the grounds. Made sure that everything ran smoothly. Armed with an annual budget of $157,000, it was his job to ensure that 'Biltmore' remained one of America's most luxuriously run private estates. During which time he became an American citizen and amassed one of America's greatest collection of flowers.
Together he and his three friends (one of whom was his driver Sylvester Owens) styled themselves the Azalea Hunters. The group traveled over the eastern United States for a period of fifteen years, studying and collecting native plants. Donating his entire collection of over 3,000 plants to 'Biltmore' in 1940, he personally managed over the conservatory and walled gardens. He developed a grand and intimate friendship with the Vanderbilts over the years, he even managing their personal finances. He was particularly close to their daughter Cornelia Vanderbilt, who shared his love of flowers. He personally helped her with her private flower garden and travelled with her to her explorations outside. Besides flowers, he had a great love of books and reading. When Cornelia took over as owner of 'Biltmore', she authorized him to use the grand, two-story library at the estate as his personal library and study. Finally retiring as Head caretaker and estate superintendent in January of 1950, he settled down into the cozy cottage the family had given him, overlooking 'Biltmore'. He died there later that year.
Written and Compiled by Tyler Hughes
Receiving his early education in horticulture at Ontario Agricultural College and Cornell University, he was hired in 1889 by Frederick Law Olmstead to oversee the nursery at 'Biltmore Estate' in Ashville, North Carolina on a temporary basis. So young was he that upon his first day of arrival, the Vanderbilts insisted that he be given an easier task, as the current one was difficult. Determined to make an impression on the family, he went right along with his original task and impressed them so much that they hired him. He quickly worked his way up and in 1890 he was given the position of Head caretaker. He oversaw the gardens, the staff, the house, the grounds. Made sure that everything ran smoothly. Armed with an annual budget of $157,000, it was his job to ensure that 'Biltmore' remained one of America's most luxuriously run private estates. During which time he became an American citizen and amassed one of America's greatest collection of flowers.
Together he and his three friends (one of whom was his driver Sylvester Owens) styled themselves the Azalea Hunters. The group traveled over the eastern United States for a period of fifteen years, studying and collecting native plants. Donating his entire collection of over 3,000 plants to 'Biltmore' in 1940, he personally managed over the conservatory and walled gardens. He developed a grand and intimate friendship with the Vanderbilts over the years, he even managing their personal finances. He was particularly close to their daughter Cornelia Vanderbilt, who shared his love of flowers. He personally helped her with her private flower garden and travelled with her to her explorations outside. Besides flowers, he had a great love of books and reading. When Cornelia took over as owner of 'Biltmore', she authorized him to use the grand, two-story library at the estate as his personal library and study. Finally retiring as Head caretaker and estate superintendent in January of 1950, he settled down into the cozy cottage the family had given him, overlooking 'Biltmore'. He died there later that year.
Written and Compiled by Tyler Hughes
Pupil and disciple of Frederick Law Olmstead, and for sixty years Chief Superintendent and Head Caretaker for America's largest estate, 'Biltmore' - owned by Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt.
Receiving his early education in horticulture at Ontario Agricultural College and Cornell University, he was hired in 1889 by Frederick Law Olmstead to oversee the nursery at 'Biltmore Estate' in Ashville, North Carolina on a temporary basis. So young was he that upon his first day of arrival, the Vanderbilts insisted that he be given an easier task, as the current one was difficult. Determined to make an impression on the family, he went right along with his original task and impressed them so much that they hired him. He quickly worked his way up and in 1890 he was given the position of Head caretaker. He oversaw the gardens, the staff, the house, the grounds. Made sure that everything ran smoothly. Armed with an annual budget of $157,000, it was his job to ensure that 'Biltmore' remained one of America's most luxuriously run private estates. During which time he became an American citizen and amassed one of America's greatest collection of flowers.
Together he and his three friends (one of whom was his driver Sylvester Owens) styled themselves the Azalea Hunters. The group traveled over the eastern United States for a period of fifteen years, studying and collecting native plants. Donating his entire collection of over 3,000 plants to 'Biltmore' in 1940, he personally managed over the conservatory and walled gardens. He developed a grand and intimate friendship with the Vanderbilts over the years, he even managing their personal finances. He was particularly close to their daughter Cornelia Vanderbilt, who shared his love of flowers. He personally helped her with her private flower garden and travelled with her to her explorations outside. Besides flowers, he had a great love of books and reading. When Cornelia took over as owner of 'Biltmore', she authorized him to use the grand, two-story library at the estate as his personal library and study. Finally retiring as Head caretaker and estate superintendent in January of 1950, he settled down into the cozy cottage the family had given him, overlooking 'Biltmore'. He died there later that year.
Written and Compiled by Tyler Hughes
Receiving his early education in horticulture at Ontario Agricultural College and Cornell University, he was hired in 1889 by Frederick Law Olmstead to oversee the nursery at 'Biltmore Estate' in Ashville, North Carolina on a temporary basis. So young was he that upon his first day of arrival, the Vanderbilts insisted that he be given an easier task, as the current one was difficult. Determined to make an impression on the family, he went right along with his original task and impressed them so much that they hired him. He quickly worked his way up and in 1890 he was given the position of Head caretaker. He oversaw the gardens, the staff, the house, the grounds. Made sure that everything ran smoothly. Armed with an annual budget of $157,000, it was his job to ensure that 'Biltmore' remained one of America's most luxuriously run private estates. During which time he became an American citizen and amassed one of America's greatest collection of flowers.
Together he and his three friends (one of whom was his driver Sylvester Owens) styled themselves the Azalea Hunters. The group traveled over the eastern United States for a period of fifteen years, studying and collecting native plants. Donating his entire collection of over 3,000 plants to 'Biltmore' in 1940, he personally managed over the conservatory and walled gardens. He developed a grand and intimate friendship with the Vanderbilts over the years, he even managing their personal finances. He was particularly close to their daughter Cornelia Vanderbilt, who shared his love of flowers. He personally helped her with her private flower garden and travelled with her to her explorations outside. Besides flowers, he had a great love of books and reading. When Cornelia took over as owner of 'Biltmore', she authorized him to use the grand, two-story library at the estate as his personal library and study. Finally retiring as Head caretaker and estate superintendent in January of 1950, he settled down into the cozy cottage the family had given him, overlooking 'Biltmore'. He died there later that year.
Written and Compiled by Tyler Hughes
