New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
BEN ALI HhGGlN.

BEN ALI HAGGIN.
The pioneers of the days Of 70. the men
who from out the bowels Of the earth hewcd
a way TO fame and fortune were true cx-
amples Of the survival of the fittest." They
were the strong men Of the race ard. using
the opportunities offered by the land OF geld
as a stepping stone. they became men Of
national prominence The year ~ is now
getthg far back in the history OF our ma
tion, and those men are becoming fewer
every year. One Of the last and most no.
table is James Ben All Haggin one Of the
ricnest men in the world, he has been prob
ably the most picturesque OF American mill
ionaires and was best known as a turfman
and the worlds largest individual owner of
horses in training
Mr.. Haggin Inherited his love FOR horses.
for he is native Of the Blue Grass State"
and was born in Mercer County. Kentucky.
in 1927. The name Zen Ali came TO him
from his mother, who was a Miss Adeline
Ben-Ali His father Ferah Ben All. had
migrated to Kentucky from Virginia. and
the family was one Of the foremost I'm even
: that exclusive region. The young Haggin
received his education in Danville. KY, was
! thoroughly prepared for the profession Of
law and admitted to the practice at the
bar OF Kentucky.
No state has so many brilliant represen-
tatives in the legal profession as James b
| Haggin's native state, and he would un-
| doubtedly have been one of the most emf
| nent, had not the lure of pioneering led
! him West
He began his practice in Shelbyvine KY
later went to Natchez Miss, and from
there TO New Orleans. where he was be
ginning to be known as a young lawyer
Of promise when. inspired by the tales of
the contemporary "Munchausens," he de-
termined to go TO California arriving there
/ by way OF Panama in 1850
| For a time Mr.. Haggn followed his pro-
! fesson. The earliest bar Of San Fran
cisco included a coterie OF young men who
afterward became distinguished In many
! fields of endeavor, and his first partner.
Milton s. Latham, became in time Gov
ernor OF the Golden State. subsequent
partnership was entered into with Lloyd
Tevis, who became known as the most sue
cessful lawyer in San Francisco.
At the time of the great "hegira" 10
California there was much need for active
and competent lawyers in the settlement
Of individual and property rights Things
we're in the formative period. Fortunes
made easily were spent abundantly, and
James B, Haggin made money. Great min
Ing and other enterprises were being de-
veloped, and his earnings went into min
ing investments.
1t seemed TO others that everything he
knew that his good luck was the result of
touched turned TO money. He himself
wise investture. In a short time he was
compelled TO abandon his law practice for
his personal interests. From that time he
devoted himself to the series Of specula-
tions in all directions that landed him
among The foremost fnanciers Of tho
world He did not confne his mining
operations TO California alone. He was one
Of the first 20 become interested in the
Black Hills Of Dakota. where he became
the owner OF the "Homestake" and other
famous mines. he became interested in IN,
great copper developments at Butte. Mort.
and acquired Mr.. Dslys interests in tn,
Anaconda Copper Company; and owned be
sides valuable mines in the United States
Mexico and South America. I'm lS96. will
several associates, he organized the Silver
Trust"
While a member of the law firm OF HaG.
gin & Tevis. Mr. HagSin became owner o.
the famous Rancho del Paso estate. Here
he attained phenomenal success in the cult
ure of hops and the raising Of thorough
bred cattle and sheep. Later he went into
the breeding Of racers
As a breeder OF thoroughbrcds James T.
Hasgin revolutionized breeding in this
country. and could point 10 many Of the
best horses on the American turf as com
ing from, his racing stock Every lover OF
the turf remembers Salvador and Firenzi
lie determined TO introduce his racers TO
the East and in 1886 Mr.. Hagsin and his
son, Ben Ali, appeared in Kentucky with
/ the strongest stable that had been seen i'm
many day, and entered them in the
races with such success that their owner
bought the celebrated Elmendorf Farm
near Lexington, and n owed 10 IL the larger
/ part OF his horse breeding establishment.
Not only is Elmcndorf the home OF the
/ thoroughbred industry, but Mr.. Haggin
/ has been, within the last few years. ex-
/ tensiyely engaged In the breeding OF short
/ horn and Jersey cattle
James T. Haggin is an exemplncation
/ OF the belief that many people hold that a
man who has won distinction in one field
could have attained eminence IN any
chosen pursuit or walk Of life. AS a law
yer. miner. real estate operator. agricultur-
/ 1T and horse breeder he has applied him
self with equal adaptabillty and success.
I lie is now president ana treasurer OF the
/ Homestake Mining Company. president and
director OF the Cerro de Pasco Improve
ment Company, vice-president and director
/ Of the Jalapo Railway and Power Com
pany. director Of the American Car and
| Foundry Company. the International Steam
/ Pump Company Louisville & Atlantic
Railway Company. SAe Cyomel Company
and the Oriental Consolidated Mining
| Company.
/ Not only aid california pour her golden
/ treasures into James y Haggins Golfers
but he PLAYED no small part I'm the upbuild-
/ ing Of his adopted state, and he earned
! fairl3 What came 10 him. He was the
| friend OF practically al the great spirits