Ezra Cornell
Ezra Cornell (11 January 1807 - 9 December 1874) was an American businessman. He was born in Westchester County, New York and later moved to Ithaca, where he became a mill manager.
Cornell was a member of the state senate and assembly.
He made his fortune in the telegraph business as an associate of Samuel Morse and as a founder of Western Union. After joining with Morse, Cornell supervised the erection of many telegraph lines, earning a substantial amount of money.
With Andrew Dickson White, Cornell, a life-long enthusiast in science and agriculture, founded Cornell University in 1865.
Ezra Cornell entered the railroad business. He died in Ithaca, New York.
His eldest son, Alonzo B. Cornell was governor of New York.
