Swiss-born California pioneer. He arrived in California in 1839 and was granted land near the junction of the Sacramento and American rivers. A year later he constructed Fort Sutter, a frontier trading post, on the site. By 1844, Sutter was enjoying prosperity. Four years later, James W. Marshall discovered gold at the sawmill he was building with Sutter on the American River. As the great Gold Rush began, Sutter lost his workmen and his livestock, and prospectors overran his land; within three years he was bankrupt. He died in poverty in 1880. Rare ink signature “I am respectfully yours truly, J. A. Sutter” on a white 4.5 x 4.25 lined sheet clipped from the closing of a letter dated 1879. In fine condition, with overall bleeding to the ink.R&R COA.
