Gould
JAY, an American financier; born in Roxbury, N. Y., May 27, 1836; was brought up on his father's farm; attended Hobart College a short time, acquired a taste for mathematics and surveying; made surveys of Ulster, Albany, and Delaware counties, and began his railroad career directly after the panic of 1857; invested in bonds of the Rutland and Washington railroad, and became president, treasurer, and superintendent of the road. Soon afterward he effected roadati Rensselaer and Saratoga road, withdrew a consolidation of his road with the his capital, removed to New York, opened a broker's office, and began dealing in Erie stocks and bonds. In association with James Fisk, Jr., he entered the directory of the company, and was elected president, with Fisk as vice-president and treasurer. On the reorganization of the company, 1872, he lost official connection with it. He then invested heavily in the various Pacific railroads, secured control of a number of important lines, built branches, and effected combinations which resulted in the establishment of what is known as the "Gould system."
He died in New York City, Dec. 2, 1892, leaving property valued at $72,000,000.