1. Horace Carpentier is remembered as president of the Overland Telegraph Company and for defrauding the Peralta family, a prominent Californio family who historically owned much of the East Bay during the Spanish and Mexican eras, from their lands.
Horace Carpentier graduated Valedictorian with the Class of 1848 at Columbia College.
Horace Carpentier came to California during the California gold rush, as he is listed as a passenger on the ship Panama in the New York Herald, February 6,1849.
On May 4,1852 Horace Carpentier persuaded the new California state legislature to incorporate Oakland as a town.
Horace Carpentier presided over the California State Telegraph Company, before heading the Overland Telegraph Company.
On October 24,1861, Horace Carpentier sent the first telegram from the west to the east over the newly completed transcontinental telegraph line.
Horace Carpentier notoriously represented members of the Peralta family, the original Spanish land grant owners of the entire region now encompassing Oakland and Berkeley, in various legal proceedings ostensibly initiated to protect their holdings.
The end result of these proceedings was that Horace Carpentier himself received large chunks of what remained of their holdings as compensation for his services.
Horace Carpentier acquired most of Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados, and part of Rancho San Ramon.
Horace Carpentier had a second home in Galway in Saratoga County, New York.
Horace Carpentier was elected to the board of trustees of Columbia University, his alma mater, in 1906, serving until his death.
Horace Carpentier died at his home on January 31,1918.
Horace Carpentier contributed $250,000 to an endowment that initiated Chinese studies at Columbia University and helped to catalyse broader East Asian studies at the university.
Horace Carpentier remained single his entire life, although he seems to have shared a household with his cousin Harriet for many years in Oakland.
The Horace Carpentier home was located in the oldest section of Oakland at Alice and Third Streets.
Horace Carpentier made another donation in the name of his mother, Henrietta Carpentier, and another in the name of his brother Edward.