Tevis Forum 2012

48 ★ TEVIS FORUM 2012 I t seemed almost inconceivable that aman as awesomely powerful had succumbed to a mere chill. Nevertheless, it was true. Dead, in 1899 at age 75, was San Fran- cisco capitalist Lloyd Tevis. That such an esteemed figure could have died from complications of a common cold seemed absolutely unbelievable. This news sent ripples of shock along Montgomery Street. Tevis’ death signaled the end of Northern California’s most in- fluential business partnership. His worth in 1899 was placed at be- tween $20 to $25 million. Some had referred to Tevis, a man with a deceptively cheerful smile, as San Francisco’s most perfect ex- ample of the “predatory rich.” Kentucky-born, Tevis had come to California during the Gold Rush to practice law in Sacramento. InOctober 1850, hewent into partnership with a fellow Kentuckian and college acquaintance, the more aloof, albeit handsomer andmore brilliant, James Ben Ali Haggin. And as if to cement their partnership, Tevis andHagginmarried the Sanders sisters, Susan and Jennie, also of Kentucky. Their law firm, profitable from the outset, handled business, real estate and all types of financial matters. The office was moved to San Francisco in 1854. Te- vis chose to live in the stodgy elegance of South Park. Haggin built the largest home atop fashionable Rincon Hill. Their partnership was close and abso- lute in virtually all matters for just under 50 years. Its sole purpose was the acquisition of personal wealth. The always shrewd Tevis was the negotiator and manipulator. And though regarded as the more domi- nant of the partners, the cold, silent and secretive Haggin frequently saved Tevis T evis & H aggin: A 19 th - c entury P ower D uo by Michael Svanevik and Shirley Burgett; reprinted from the San Francisco Examiner Lloyd Tevis, first president of Wells Fargo, 1872-1892. The Tevis Cup was donated to the Ride by Tevis’ grandsons Will, Gordon and Lloyd in 1959. MERRILL Vet Secretary JACKIE Logistics Foresthill RICHARD Webcast Developer BRAD Horse Ambulance WWW.AUBURNPRINTERS.COM