William Cornelius Van Horne
From AlanMacek.com Canyon
Sir William Cornelious Van Horne (1843-1915) was hired on as General Manager of the CPR on January 2, 1882 from the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, he was instrumental in organizing the construction of the CPR. His organization and managerial skills were quite legendary. In 1888 he was promoted to President of the CPR, succeeding George Stephen.
He was knighted in 1894. He was president until 1899 and remained as chairman of the board until he died in 1915.