What did john sutter do in the gold rush
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The Sutter Family and the Origins of Gold Rush Sacramento
John A. Sutter (1803-1880) could have become one of the richest men in California when gold was found on his property. Instead he lost his vast land holdings on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers and eventually left California penniless. Sutter always claimed to be the victim of charlatans, but he bore considerable responsibility for his downfall. He had amassed huge debts before the gold discovery and added even more afterward. In the rough dealings of frontier capitalism in gold rush California, Sutter was easy prey.
Soon after the gold discovery, Sutter’s eldest son, John Jr., (1826-1897) arrived, but soon moved south to Mexico. Hoping to obtain compensation for the land that he and his father had lost, John, Jr., returned to California in 1855 to give his lawyer a thorough statement cataloging how both Sutters were swindled. This extensive document describes the dirty deals of the first great gold rush in the western United States.
Sutter’s statement has not been available for sixty years. Editor Allan R. Ottley repro
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John Sutter
Swiss pioneer of California
For his son, see John Augustus Sutter Jr.
John Sutter | |
|---|---|
Sutter c. 1850 | |
| Born | Johann August Sutter (1803-02-23)February 23, 1803 Kandern, Margraviate of Baden, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | June 18, 1880(1880-06-18) (aged 77) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Moravian Cemetery Lititz, Pennsylvania |
| Occupation(s) | Pioneer, businessman, landowner |
| Known for | Founder of Sutter's Fort |
| Spouse | Annette Dubeld (m. 1826) |
| Children | 5, including John Augustus Sutter Jr. |
John Augustus Sutter (February 23, 1803 – June 18, 1880), born Johann August Sutter and known in Spanish as Don Juan Sutter,[1][2] was a Swiss immigrant who became a Mexican and later an American citizen, known for establishing Sutter's Fort in the area that would eventually become Sacramento, California, the state's capital. His employee James W. Marshall discovered gold, leading to the founding of the mill-making team at Sutter's Mill. Sutter, however, saw his own business
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John Sutter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Sutter | |
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John Sutter, c. 1850 | |
| Born | Johann August Suter (1803-02-23)February 23, 1803 Kandern, Margraviate of Baden, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | June 18, 1880(1880-06-18) (aged 77) Washington D.C., United States |
| Spouse(s) | Annette D'beld |
| Children | 5, including John Augustus Sutter Jr. |
John Augustus Sutter (February 23, 1803 – June 18, 1880), born Johann August Sutter and known in Spanish as Don Juan Sutter, was a Swiss immigrant who became a Mexican and later an American citizen, known for establishing Sutter's Fort in the area that would eventually become Sacramento, California, the state's capital. Although he became famous following the discovery of gold by his employee James W. Marshall and the mill-making team at Sutter's Mill, Sutter saw his own business ventures fail during the California Gold Rush. Those of his elder son, John Augustus Sutter Jr., were more successful.
Early life
Johann August Sutter was born on February 23, 1803, in Kandern, B
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