Erastus Corning

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13789257&ref=wvr

Prominent Albany, New York businessman. Son of entrepeneur and Congressman Erastus Corning (1794-1872). Father of Lieutenant Governor Edwin Corning. Father of Congressman Parker Corning. Grandfather of Albany Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd (1909-1983). Educated at private schools in Greenbush and Poughkeepsie, and Schenectady's Union College. Married Gertrude Tibbitts (1830-69), 1850. One son, Erastus (1851-93). Married Mary Parker (1845-99), 1873. Three children; Parker (1874-1943), Edwin, (1883-1934), Harriet, (1876-1950). President and director of several businesses, mostly positions he assumed as his father became infirm, including Albany Iron Works, Albany City National Bank, Albany City Savings Institution, and New York Central Railroad.

Member, Albany Board of Aldermen. Head of commission named to oversee construction of new city hall after previous one was destroyed by fire, 1880. Declined 1881 Democratic nomination for governor, which went to Grover Cleveland. Democratic presidential elector, 1884. Donated land for construction of All Saints Cathedral Episcopal church. President, Albany Rural Cemetery Association. Raised prize winning sheep, cows, and race horses. Noted floriculturist and horticulturist. At his death acknowledged to have finest orchid collection in US. Published Catalogue of Orchids, which contained more than 1,000 species and varieties of orchids he raised. Collected more than 10,000 specimens of moths and butterflies, which were later donated to New York State Museum. Founder, Fort Orange Club, serving as President, 1880-92. Died of heart attack while driving fast trotting horse. 

Totally depleted $12 million family fortune begun by his father, leaving $125,000 in debt at his death.