His name is Major PIERSON Benjamin READING, Having retired from the military in 1843, came in 1844 to California, he secured from the Mexican government a land grant for what then was known as ' Rancho San Buenaventura', orgin land area was from Cottonwood Crk, north, he then built an adobe home for his family, in 1930 was named an state historical site, and centered in what is REDDING this day, est: 1872. In 1874, the Legislature changed the name from Redding to Reading, but 6 yrs later, returned it back to Redding,CA. The town was a major train hub as it employment and sustained many freight business as it does today. He was responsible for the 1st Gold Find, of Calif. in 1848, before John SUTTER's, Alburn Find, in 1849, and panned out some $80,000 in 6 weeks on Clear Creek.(Wvvlle). This triggered the 2 nd big Gold Rush of the Fall of 1849. A rough bunch of claim jumpers, from Oregon, jumped the READING claims, driving him away. He returned to Redding and ranching. READING was amoung the 1st white man to climb Lassen Peak, in the company of the 1st white woman, in 1864. Also in the same yr. became partner with man name of BUMPASS, and began mining Sulfur from the many hot springs on Lassen. In 1890's, Copper was mined,the largest company being MOUTAIN COOPER Co., this required some 500 to 600 cords of wood a month. as the gold finds declined, the census records show a populas of 2,500 then. In time, by the time the Great Depression arrived, all the early life sustaning works had dissappeared. Some other records I've come across records stating that he 1st toured throught Northern Calif as a Union Calvery Officer with Jebediah Smith in 1828. Hope this helps. ~hum.Linda~ Words are the window to the Heart.