Mark Hopkins

Businessman and railroad developer, born in Henderson, New York, USA. The son of a merchant, he read law but became involved in business. When he heard of the gold discovery in California in 1848, he moved there intending to run a mining company, but he soon discovered that money was more easily made by supplying the needs of the miners. He expanded his business operations and joined with Collis P Huntington to open an iron and hardware store in Sacramento (1854). The two men participated in an informal group, including Leland Stanford and Charles Crocker, that discussed the political issues of the day, and when Theodore Judah appeared with his plan for a railroad linking the East and West, Hopkins and the other three formed the Central Pacific Railroad (1861). Hopkins served as the line's treasurer throughout the construction phase and until his death, and although not as well known or colourful as his three colleagues, he was highly regarded for providing the necessary legal and business acumen. He left a fortune of $20 million, and his name to a well-known hotel in San Francisco.

Mark Hopkins (September 1, 1813 – March 29, 1878) was one of four principal investors who formed the Central Pacific Railroad along with Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker and Collis Huntington in 1861.

Sometimes called "Uncle Mark", he was the middle of the The Big Four and was well known for his thriftiness (it was said that he knew how to "squeeze 106 cents out of every dollar"), a reputation that gained him the post of company treasurer.

Hopkins commissioned a mansion to be built at the top of Nob Hill in San Francisco, California in 1875.