James W. Marshall

James Wilson Marshall (October 8, 1810 – August 10, 1885) was an American carpenter and sawmill operator, who on January 24, 1848, reported the finding of gold at Coloma, California, a small settlement on the American River about 36 miles northeast of Sacramento. His discovery was the impetus for the California gold rush. The mill property was owned by Johann (John) Sutter who employed Marshall to build his mill.