Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1885-11-14
SHARON DEAD.

The Ex-senator PASSES Away nj
About Hnlf.past 3 O'clock Yester'
day Afternoon-A sketch OF HIS
Lffe-His wealth Estimated TO bs
8I5,OOO,OOO
ESPECIAL TO THE sENTIsKL.l
SAN Francisco, Nov. 13.-Ex-Senator
Sharon died this afternoon at 3:32 o'clock.
he wa born January 0, 1920. at Smith.
field. Ohio. His family were farmers
Quakers in origin. He entered Athens
College at the age OF 23 to study law
and remained there three years, when he
returned home, diversifying his labors on
| the farm and law studies. After six
months Of this life he entered the Office
| OF Edwin M. Stanton, afterwards Secretary
OF War. TO qualify himself for the bar.
Failing health induced him to travel for q
time. He then went to st. Louis, where
he opened 0 law Office. In the Spring Of
1849, when the gold fever was epidemic,
Colonel J. D. Fry and Mr.. Sharon formed
a ~copsrtnership and together they crossed
the plat MS, arriving in Sacramento In
August, 1849. Mr.. Sharon left Sacramento
in the Winter Of 1850, arrived in San
Francisco and entered into the real estate
business. He continued his real estate
operations, and in 1864 his wealth was
estimated at $780, 00. Then came the
Comstock excitement, and within. six
months his fortune of $780, 900 had dis
sipated. Without means Mr.. Sharon had
to seek employment, and asked and OBJ.
tanned work from the Bank Of California,
which sent him to Virginia City, New. for
the purpose Of adjusting some outstanding
claims of that institution. He suggested to
the California Bank manager to establish an
agency in Virginia City, and the idea was
taken hold OF and Mr.. Sharon was made
agent. Unlimited powers were given him,
and after q service Of many years he left
the bank at his own desire and was sue
ceeded by A. j. Ralston. Mr.. Sharon
then turned his attention almost exclu-
sively to the mines Of the Comstock lode,
from which he gained q large part of his
VAST iOItuuos III 4OoI NIX Ouh1Oh mos
ried Miss Maria Mslloy, q native OF Can
ada. and whose father was q captain In
the merchant marine. By her he had five
children, two OF whom now only survive, |
Fred W. Sharon and Lady Hesketh, the
wife Of Sir Thomas G. F. Hesketh, an
English Baronet. In politics Mr.. Sharon
was q Republican. He was actively in
terested in organizing the Republican
party in this State in 1856 and supported
the Union cause at the breaking out Of the
rebellion. In 1874 he was elected United
States Senator from Nevada for 8 term of
six years, from March 4. 1875. The fail
ure OF the Bank of California in August, |
1875, interfered greatly with his Sena-
torial usefulness. and he bent all his
energies to the task OF resuscitating the
bank. His vast fortune, his strength, |
his personal will brought every creditor
and stakeholder OF the bank into harmony
with his plans, and after 40 days of in
cesssnt labor the doors OF the bank,
which had closed apparently forever, we're
swung open amid the cheers OF thousands. |
He has ever since been closely associated
with the California Bank. He owns real
estate in this city. valued ct u. 800, 600. |
He also owns the Palace Hotel, and over
500 dwellings,. most of which are small.
but yielding good rents. Besides these he
has 20, 600 acres in Fresno county, and the
Burlinghsme and Belmont ranches at San
Mateo county. He was the principal share
holder in the Bank Of California. holds
the controlling interest in the Carson and
Colorado railroad, and is the principal
owner In the Spring Valley Water Com.
pany. He was worth altogether over $751;.
600, 600, all accumulated within the last 20
years.