George Hearst (1820-1891)

Famous California '49er miner, Wealthy American businessman and United States Senator, and the father of newspaperman William Randolph Hearst.

Vital Statistics

 * Son of William G Hearst and Elizabeth Collins
 * Born 3 Dec 1820, Near Sullivan, Missouri
 * Died 28 Feb 1891, Washington DC (Age 70)
 * Married Phoebe Apperson in Missouri shortly

Biography
After arriving in 1850, he and his companions first tried placer mining in the vicinity of Sutter's Mill on the American River. After spending a cold winter and making meager finds, they moved to Grass Valley on the news of a new lode. Using his mining education and experience in Missouri, George switched to prospecting and dealing in quartz mines. After almost ten years, Hearst was making a decent living as a prospector, and otherwise engaged in running a general store, mining, stock raising and farming in Nevada County.

Hearst was a member of the California State Assembly from 1865 until 1866, one of 12 members representing San Francisco. During this time (1865) he acquired the 48,000-acre Piedras Blancas Ranch at San Simeon, California. He later bought the adjoining ranches, and this land eventually became the site of the famed Hearst Castle.

He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of California in 1882.

He was appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John F. Miller, and served from March 23, 1886 to August 4, 1886, when a successor was elected. In 1887 he was elected to the Senate as a Democrat and served from March 4, 1887 until his death.

Children of George and Phoebe Hearst

 * William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951) - Only Son of couple.