Hutchings, J. M. (James Mason), 1820-1902

James Mason Hutchings was born in 1824 in England. At sixteen years old he traveled to New Orleans and worked as a clerk in a business house there. When he heard about the gold discovery, he left New Orleans in April of 1849, determined to satisfy his craving for adventure by taking the overland route. He arrived at the "gold-diggings" on October 9, 1849. He mined, made his fortune, and lost it all when the San Francisco bank, Frank Ward & Co., failed. He then returned to mining. In 1853, Hutchings published a letter sheet called "The Miner's Ten Commandments" which became wildly popular among California's early settlers. In 1856, aided by his newfound wealth, Hutchings began publishing "Hutching's Illustrated California Magazine", a monthly magazine dedicated to promoting the natural wonders and beauty of California. The magazine was published until June 1861, when it merged with the "California Mountaineer". After relinquishing his role as editor and proprietor of his magazine, Hutchings settled in the Yosemite and opened the hotel known as the "Hutchings House". In 1880, Hutchings was elected "Guardian of the Valley."

From the description of Autobiography and Reminiscence of James Mason Hutchings, San Francisco, 1901. (The Society of California Pioneers). WorldCat record id: 55979173

...