Thomas Frederick Bell (1822-1892)

A self-made Scot, among several prominent positions he held Thomas was best known as the director of Nevada’s Virginia & Truckee Railroad; the Eureka & Palisade Railroad; and, the mighty Bank of California, of which he was also one of the majority shareholders. He is also remembered for his relationship with Mary Ellen Pleasant, the Mother of Civil Rights in California with whom he shared their house.