New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-14


William Sharon was born in smithhcll, Ohio. Jan
uary Il. ls2l His family was Quaker. and his first
American ancestor from England in William Penn's
day Raised on farm, engaged at the age OF seventeen
In haboat trip to New orleans, educated at Athens
College. trained in law first the Office OF Edwin W.
Stanton and then with Judge krcm, Of st. Louis, and
then for five years partnership with his brother in
mercantile pursus,h he finally went to California In 1919
He traded in Sacramento year So and then engaged
in the real estate business IN san Francisco from which
he acquired by 1864 fortune Of $4,000. This was
lost on single speculation; and throughSfriends, he
was placed at the head Of the Virginia City branch Of the
Bank of California.
During his connection with this institution and after
dlss0lying 1t voluntarily, he embarked extensively In
mining operations: and his name has been Intimately
associated with tho mines OF the Comsock Lode of which
he was known the king In these ventures he amused
millions ofdOars and his name was cOnsI icuOus Ii the
most dazzling and startling operations o. period when
fortunes were made H. day Ophir. Empire Mil
necher. Imperial Yellow Jacket and other mines on the
COmstOck Lode were controlled by him, and he was
largely interested in the Sierra Nevada Caledonia and
Ovcrman, which managed by his friend, General
II. i. Morrow. Another large source OF revenue was
tho Union Mill md Mining Company on the Carson lie
derived no little wealth. moreover from his Crooked
Railroad" the Virginia aud Truckee and its construction
illustrated his foresight and enterprise Tho mills and
hOisng works In and about the COmstock Lode consume
TO Virginia city In wagons The cost formed large item
In the running expenses OF the mines. Senator Sharon
saw at glance That tho transportation OF the wood
would more than pay tho expenses OF operating ran
road. 4 large sOnrce OF revenue could he derived by
carrying from the mines 10 the mills on the arson
lie secured subsidy OF $500 900 from the people in aid
OF the ROAD constructed many miles "a the 100000
would pay for and then mOrtgaScd the entire ROAD Tor
the amoInt necessary to complete H. Ia thls way the
road was built without costing him cont.
Among the other schemes IN which Mr. sharon engaged
building the Palace Hotel OF san Francisco. In com
pany with William {. Ral-ton. To this he contributed
5000 900 Since Warren Leland surrendered u5 man
ascmCnt year, tnat magnificent clraN ai~af(
had been under Mr.. SharOns control. When the Bank
~ California threatened with disaster I'm 1870 he
ded II tho crisis ont 81 personal regard Tor ts
president. Mr. Easton. employing StGoooooo IN the
operation. Two Yeas afterwntd he butt an elegant
mansion az Belmont I'm the vicinity ~ san Francisco
Mr. sharon was active In organizing the republican
party il California before the Aucrwari, IL 49,.
he ran for United states Senator H. Nevada, against
John I ,oncs At thr time he defeated, but Tor
the tern beginning March 1. 1870. ho was elected VI,
usinc-s interests however prevented ms attending the
sessions o the senate very regularly In 1851 lie gave
place - James G.. Fair
IL. wife. who died in i775 was n native OF Canada.
and woman Of mucl refinement. They had I'VE emil
and Ilpra married f. years ago 20 sir Thomas
Ie-kcth. An Ing-h an Among these hud the chluteD
%! his daughter Clara now dead, he divided Ms property
cath bed his ana Francis y NtNialdst MS
ION in-aw. being tuc executors NJ the trust deed
senator sharon was brought into great prominence oi
late by the suit Tor divorce ana anOul brought ny
Tue lcr,istcncy with which tho case was fought IN tue
courts. and the scandal connected Will the hulr gave
him unpleasant n"ioriety. pom hl- Healn neH ne
-lciniy affirmed. ho lad before 10 cont ht hc hhI
never written the letter addressing her 'a@ my dear
wife" Oh .Ici. great extent she non her case lie
secured the privilege of appeal from the adverse uc
c-un however. aud tn" c,c Ike the prosecution o c
woman for forgery, was let Unfinished Al tue l' "a W.
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