Bradford, Abram Clarke Cromwell, Sallie J Denver, Arthur St. Clair Denver, Eliza Denver, Hal C Denver, J. Frank Denver, Louisa C. Rombach Denver, Mary C Denver, P Heintzelman, H. P Hoburg, William Helmer Howard, R. F Hughes, James Madison, 1809-1861 Johns, Elizabeth A McClure, Lucinda Rombach, W. Mathews Shields, J. W Smith, Lizzie Smith, Sam B Van Voorhies, William Walsh, Hugh S Wozencraft, Oliver Meredith
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.
Description
Correspondence and other miscellaneous paperwork. James W. Denver (1817-1892) recruited a company in Missouri for the 12th United States Volunteer Infantry in 1847 and was commissioned a captain, serving in the Mexican War under General Winfield Scott. In the spring of 1850, attracted by the gold discoveries in California, he traveled to Sacramento by way of Salt Lake and engaged in trading. Denver was elected State Senator and served during 1852-53. During this period Governor Bigler placed Denver in command of the supply trains which had been provided for the assistance of overland immigrants experiencing great hardships while pouring over the mountains. Bitter criticism of the project by "Daily Alta California" editor Edward Gilbert resulted in a duel between him and Denver in which Gilbert was killed. Early in 1853 Denver became California Secretary of State (thus also serving as State Librarian), and was elected as a Democrat to the 34th Congress from 1854 to 1857, chairing a committee that explored the possibilities of a transcontinental railroad. He later served as Kansas Territorial Governor. Denver, Colorado is named after him. Box 1992: 1840-Oct. 1849; Box 1992b: Oct. 1849-1856; Box 1993: 1857-1866; Box 1993b: 1871-1891, n.d.; Box 4064: 1856-1863. Denver. Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library. California State Library, California History Room
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