Later he served on the board of the Mississippi and Missouri and Missouri Railroad and lobbied with many others for congressional approval and funding of the transcontinental railroad.
In 1860, Ogden switched his loyalty to the Republican Party, which contributed his views regarding slavery, although he left the party over a argument with Abraham Lincoln. Ogden felt that the Emancipation Proclamation was very unripe.
As part of the 1862 Pacific Railroad Act, Congress named several existing railroad companies to complete a chunk of the project. Several key areas needed to link the East (Chicago) to the West had none, and the Union Pacific was formed by Congress. Ogden was a strong supporter of the transcontinental railroad at a time of great unrest for the United States and was quoted as saying
"This project must be carried through by even-handed wise consideration and a patriotic course of policy which shall inspire capitalist of the country with confidence. Speculation is as fatal to it assecession is to the Union. Whoever speculates will damn this project."
As part of the 1862 Pacific Railroad Act, Congress named several existing railroad companies to complete a chunk of the project. Several key areas needed to link the East (Chicago) to the West had none, and the Union Pacific was formed by Congress. Ogden was a strong supporter of the transcontinental railroad at a time of great unrest for the United States and was quoted as saying
"This project must be carried through by even-handed wise consideration and a patriotic course of policy which shall inspire capitalist of the country with confidence. Speculation is as fatal to it assecession is to the Union. Whoever speculates will damn this project."
He hired a New York architect to build him a Greek Revival house. Among the guests at the house were Martin Van Buren, Daniel Webster, Stephen A. Douglas, William Cullen Bryant and Ralph Waldo Emerson. According to Ogden's neighbor, guest "always found good books, good pictures, good music, and the most kind and great reception." An amazing gardener, William also helped found the Chicago Horticultural Society.
(Image Bottom left: Greek Revival House) (Image on bottom Right: Chicago Horticultural Society
(Image Bottom left: Greek Revival House) (Image on bottom Right: Chicago Horticultural Society