Biography - Henry Colman Cutting

HENRY COLMAN CUTTING can indeed be numbered among the builders and promoters of California's growth and greatness. His efforts have found tangible result in the development of Richmond and he is now president and practical owner of the Pt. Richmond Canal & Land Company. Previously he was the real builder of Tonopah, Nevada. He seems to possess almost an intuitive perception in recognizing opportunities that others pass heedlessly by, and in utilizing such opportunities he has advanced to a prominent position among the citizens of central California. He was born in Iowa, April 3, 1870, and is a son of George and Jean McGown Cutting. The family moved to Nevada in 1873 and the son pursued his education in the public schools of Reno and in the Nevada State University, being a member of the first class graduated from that institution, the date of graduation being June, 1891, on which occasion he won the Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition to classical studies he had completed a course in mining engineering. Later he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years in Candelaria, Nevada, and for four months at Wadsworth, where he was principal. While teaching there he was elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction, which position he filled for four years, during which period he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1899 the legislature named him as compiler of the statutes of the State, which had not been compiled previously for fifteen years. He accomplished the work in a most satisfactory and efficient manner within the next year, after which he turned his attention to prospecting in order to regain his health and was one of the first men in Tonopah, Nevada. In fact, it was Mr. Cutting that advertised that place to the world. He was not only associated with the development of the mineral resources of that section, but was active in almost every line of endeavor leading to the organization, upbuilding and development of a new community. He preached the first two burial sermons in Tonopah, and on the occasion of the second acted also as undertaker and leader of the choir, following which he administered the estate. He was also notary public in Tonopah and granted a divorce, being probably the only notary public who has ever performed such a service. On leaving Nevada Mr. Cutting came to San Francisco for the purpose of establishing a mining exchange where the Tonopah stocks would be handled and organized the San Francisco & Tonopah Mining Exchange, of which he was president for the first two years. One feature of his success is the thoroughness with which he masters every phase of a business with which he is connected, not only in its direct but also in its subsidiary interests. He learns what may be gained by reading and adds to this thorough practical experience and investigation, and, with thorough understanding of the situation, he is often able to utilize and improve opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by. In 1904 he became interested in the development of the town of Richmond, California, and is now president and practical owner of the Pt. Richmond Canal & Land Company. He originally conceived the idea of the inner harbor at Richmond, advocated the project and has been so successful in his efforts to bring it before the public notice that the City of Richmond has voted one million, one hundred and seventy thousand dollars for carrying out the project. He is known as the Father of the Richmond Inner Harbor Project. He has his offices at 779 Monadnock Building in San Francisco, and he has been a stalwart champion of the interests of the city, ardently advocating the cause of Greater San Francisco, having been a vice-president of the Greater San Francisco Association since its organization. Mr. Cutting was at one time an officer in the Nevada State Militia. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to Occidental Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M.; California Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; and Golden Gate Commandery, No. 16, K. T. and Islam Temple. He belongs also to the Union League and the Bohemian Clubs of San Francisco, and is a life member of the Elk Lodge, No. 597, Reno, Nevada. Pleasantly situated in his home relations, he was married April 19, 1903, to Minetta Chesson, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Chesson, of Benica. The children of this marriage are Helen R., George C., Clara and Daisy. Such in brief is the history of Henry Colman Cutting, but it tells comparatively little, except to those who read between the lines, of the intense energy, the strong purpose and the indefatigable perseverance of the man. He has always been a student, but nothing of the dreamer. He has had visions but is not visionary, for he had proceeded to put into execution the plans and theories which have arisen before his mind, seeking out practical methods to materialize these and make them forces in the country's progress and development as well as sources of individual gain. It is well known that he accomplishes what he undertakes, that he is a broad-minded, enterprising man, and one whose efforts have been of great value in shaping the history of the West.

Transcribed 2020 May 06 by Norma Hass from The History of Nevada, published in 1913, volume 2, page 1202-1203.

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