History of Nevada United States of America

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James Graham Fair, senator, was born in Belfast, county Tyrone, Ireland, Dec. 3, 1831. He immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1843, settled in Illinois, and was educated in the Chicago schools. In 1849 he removed to California where he engaged in gold mining and in 1860 he removed to Virginia City, Nevada, where he developed silver mines and became superintendent of the Ophir mine, and in 1861 of the Hale & Norcross mine. In 1867 he formed a partnership with John W. Mackay, James C. Flood and William S. O'Brien. This firm obtained control of the Hale & Norcross mine and of several valuable mineral fields from which developed the famous Consolidated Virginia and California mines. and in three years the concern paid out over $100,000,000 in dividends. Mr. Fair was also largely interested m developing the real estate and railroad interests of California. He was elected to the United States senate from Nevada as a Democrat to succeed William Sharon, serving from March 4, 1881, to March ,30, 1887. He gave liberally to Roman Catholic, Protestant and Hebrew asylums. He died in San Francisco, Cal., Dec. 28. 1894.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Edward Jones, governor of Nevada, was born in North Wales, Pa., Dec. 5, 1840. He removed to Iowa with his parents in boyhood, and was a student in the State University of Iowa, but was not graduated. He engaged in teaching, and subsequently removed to Wyoming and from there to Colorado, where he was employed in mining until 1870. He then settled in Nevada, followed mining pursuits there, and was U.S. deputy collector of revenue for Nevada, 1883-86, and surveyor-general of Nevada, 1886-94. He was elected governor of the state of Nevada on the silver ticket in 1894, entered upon his duties as governor, Jan. 8, 1895, and served until his death, when Lieutenant-Governor Reinhold Sadler succeeded him. Governor Jones died in San Francisco, Cal., April 10, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Henry Kinkead, governor of Nevada, was born in Smithfield, Pa., Dec. 10, 1826; son of James and Catherine (Bushey) Kinkead, and grandson of James Kinkead. His father, who was of Scotch descent, was a native of Chester county, Pa. His parents removed to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1829, and a few years later to Lancaster, where John Henry was educated in the Lancaster high school. He removed to St. Louis, Mo., in 1844, and was a clerk in a dry-goods store until 1849, when he crossed the plains to Salt Lake City, Utah, where, with L M. Livingston, he established the mercantile firm of Livingston & Kinkead. In 1854 he removed to California, where he engaged in stock-raising. He was married at Marysville, Cal., in January, 1856, to Lizzie, daughter of John C. Fall, and engaged in mercantile business with Mr. Fall at Marysville, 1856-60, establishing a branch house at Carson City, Nev., in 1860. He was treasurer of Nevada Territory under Governor Nye's administration, 1862-65, and a member of the two constitutional conventions which met to erect a state organization. He was in Alaska, 1867-71, as a member of the government expedition under Col. J. C. Davis, and was the first U.S. official in the acquired territory holding civil office, having been appointed postmaster by President Johnson. He returned to Nevada in 1871, resided in Unionville until 1878, and engaged in smelting and mining. He founded the pioneer town of Washoe City; was an original projector of the Virginia and Truckee railroad, and built smelting works at Pleasant Valley and Austin. He was elected governor of Nevada and inaugurated Jan. 1, 1879, and on Jan. 1,1883, was succeeded by Jeweft W. Adams, elected by the Democratic party. In 1884, by act of congress passed May 17, Alaska was constituted a civil and judicial district, with a governor and other officers, and Mr. Kinkead was appointed the first territorial governor by President Arthur. At the close of the administration Governor Kinkead tendered his resignation and on May 9, 1885, O. P. Swineford was appointed by President Cleveland, and was inaugurated Sept. 15, 1885, when Mr. Kinkead returned to Carson City, Nev.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Nevada

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