Charles Minturn

Periodca. 1850

MediumDaguerreotype

DimensionsImage: 3.63 × 2.75 in. (9.2 × 7 cm)
Case: 4.25 × 3.63 × 0.63 in. (10.8 × 9.2 × 1.6 cm)

ClassificationsDaguerreotypes and Ambrotypes

Credit LineGift of Mary Minturn Adams in memory of her Hartshorne Ancestors, 2018

Object number2018.10.13

DescriptionA tinted daguerreotype of Charles Minturn in 3/4 view facing right. Charles, wearing a faint smile, wears his dark wavy hair high above his forehead and curling over his large ears. His white shirt collar rises above his chin. He wears a black stock, vest, and coat. Several small light patches at the bottom of the portrait may indicate a watch chain and fob. The image is set into a case with molded floral ornamentation and gilt edging.
Curatorial RemarksTwo daguerreotype images of Charles Minturn are in the collection of the San Francisco Maritme National Historic Park.NotesCharles Minturn was born on 6 June 1814, a son of Benjamin G. Minturn and Mary Bowne. Early in life, he was involved with his brother Edward in Woodhull & Minturn, owners of a transatlantic fleet of packets. But by October of 1849, he had settled in San Francisco where he became very prominent in steam navigation, and also in railroad development and land speculation. Minturn's involvements with steam ferries began almost immediately upon his arrival in California when he became agent for the boats Senator and New World. With the formation of the California Steamboat Navigation Company in 1854, these two boats joined that new firm's fleet, serving on routes from San Francisco to Sacramento and Stockton, among others. In 1852, Minturn managed to secure a monpoly on the trans-bay ferry service from San Francisco to Oakland. He organized the Contra Costa Steam Navigation Company the following year. This company became one of Minturn's most powerful enterprising, operating its primary route under later owners for more than a century. Even though his family participated in Minturn's various ventures and schemes, their correspondence indicates that they felt many of these enterprises were risky and Charles at time unreliable. By the early 1860s, Charles had earned the nickname "The Ferryboat King." To serve as feeders for his steamboat routes, Minturn invested in several start-up short line railroads. Never married, Charles Minturn died intestate in California on 26 May 1873 at the age of 58. One East Bay newspaper carried the headline "A Pioneer Steamboat Man Gone." The daguerreotype image of Charles Minturn captures the long-jawed wavy-haired Charles with a slight but distinctive smile on his face. Noticeable light dashes near the bottom of his waistcoat indicate a watchchain.

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