Florida East Coast Railway Co. Issued to Henry M. Flagler - 1909 dated $1,000,000 Railroad Bond

Temporary Bond issued to Henry M. Flagler and signed on back by William H. Beardsley 4 times, private secretary to Rockefeller.

William Henry Beardsley acted as the private secretary to Henry Flagler and served as the Chairman of the Florida East Coast Railway Company. Born on April 7, 1852, in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of I. L. Beardsley, a journalist from New York who moved to Cleveland in 1838. I. L. Beardsley was instrumental in founding the 'Plain Dealer' and later transitioned into the wholesale grocery business. Mr. Beardsley completed his education in Cleveland, graduating from Central High School in 1869. He began his career working with his father in the grocery sector before moving to New York. From 1880 to 1890, he was associated with the Standard Oil Company. In 1890, H. M. Flagler, a co-founder of Standard Oil, appointed Mr. Beardsley as his financial representative. He later assumed the position of treasurer for the Florida & East Coast Railroad, the Florida East Coast Steamship Company, and all properties managed by Mr. Flagler.

Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 – May 20, 1913) was an influential American industrialist and one of the founders of Standard Oil, originally established in Ohio. He played a significant role in the development of Florida's Atlantic coast and was the founder of the Florida East Coast Railway. Additionally, he is recognized as a co-founder and substantial investor in the cities of Miami and Palm Beach, Florida.