Commodore Plant was born in New Haven, CT in 1852 and was educated in the Russell Military School in New Haven and began his business career in 1868 in the service of the Southern Express Company in Memphis, TN. The Plant system of railroads bore the marks of his business genius and he served as Vice President of the system until 1902 when the system became part of the Atlantic Coast Line in which he was a director. He also served as a director of the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railway and Trustee of the Connecticut Trust and Safe Company.

Commodore Plant’s yachting career began when as a lad of 13 he became the owner of a catboat and all his life he was the owner of yachts and prominently identified with yachting. His peerless schooner Elena carried his flag to victory and among other well known boats that flew his flag were the NGH steel schooner Ingomar the steam yacht Venetia, Iolanda and the Parthenia.

Commodore Plant was a member of New York Athletic Club, Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Seawanhaka-Corinthian, St Georges and the Larchmont Yacht Club.

His first wife was Ms. Nellie Capron of Baltimore, MD whom he married in 1888 and who died in August 1913 and for whom he named NGH # 586.