William J. Oliver (industrialist), Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

William J. Oliver (industrialist)

American businessman

Date of Birth: 13-Jan-1867

Place of Birth: Mishawaka, Indiana, United States

Date of Death: 28-Mar-1925

Profession: businessperson

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

William Jesse Oliver (January 13, 1867 – March 28, 1925) was an American industrialist who operated one of the nation's most successful contracting firms in the early 20th century.
He built several hundred miles of railroad in the Southern Appalachian region during the 1890s and early 1900s, and opened the South's largest privately owned manufacturing plant in 1905.
He submitted the initial winning bid for the construction of the Panama Canal in 1907, though the bid was eventually rejected. Along with industrial endeavors, Oliver was engaged in civic and political affairs in his adopted hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
He made national headlines in 1908 when he seized control of the Tennessee Republican Party convention, and had himself and several supporters elected to various party positions.
He served as president of Knoxville's Appalachian Exposition in 1910.