James W. Marshall

James W. Marshall was an American carpenter and gold miner best known for discovering gold at Sutter's Mill in California in 1848. This discovery triggered the California Gold Rush, which led to a massive influx of people seeking fortune in the West. Marshall's find marked a significant turning point in American history, transforming California's economy and population. Despite the fame of his discovery, Marshall struggled to benefit financially from the gold rush and spent much of his life in relative obscurity. His legacy remains as a pivotal figure in the pursuit of wealth and opportunity during a transformative era in the United States.