Part 3/10:
Beyond oil, O'Day expanded into banking, serving as president of the People's Bank in Buffalo and holding directorships in various companies. Despite his success, he remained deeply connected to his roots, planning to name his grand estate "Kildesart," honoring his Irish origin.
The Construction of Kildesart: An Architectural Marvel
By the early 1900s, Daniel O'Day was ready to establish a lavish retreat reflective of his achievements. Around 1901, he commissioned the eminent architect George K. Thompson to design his summer estate in the seaside town of Del in New Jersey, a favored retreat for America's elite during the Gilded Age.