Portrait of Peter Lassen, [s.d.]

Photographic portrait of Peter Lassen, [s.d.]. Mr. Lassen is shown from his torso to his head and is looking very slightly to the left. He is wearing a dark overcoat, lighter coat, dark tie, and white shirt. He has thinning dark hair and very thick sideburns. Photo can be seen in an oval frame.; Lassen was born in Denmark in 1800, came to America in 1819, went overland to Oregon in 1839 and to California by sea in 1840 before his death in 1859. He was a hunter and guide who also worked as a blacksmith sometimes at Sutter's Fort, San Francisco, and San Jose. In 1844, he was naturalized and obtained grant of the Bosquejo Rancho on Deer Creek in what is now Tehama County, where a little settlement formed around the house which was known as Lassen's or Lawson's. This was the first settlement reached by immigrants in 1849-50 who entered California through the Lassen Pass. In 1859, Lassen was killed by Indians while prospecting north of Pyramid Lake. His name was given to Lassen County, Lassen Peak, and Lassen Pass.