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Teacher's Packet Oral Histories Articles Historic Research Students	Pacific Railroad Dignitaries "Last Spike Ceremony" including dignitaries May 10, 1869 with "119" behind them by Andrew J. Russell (Union Pacific Photographer)
Frederick A. Tritle was born on a modest farm near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Went to a local school and was admitted to practice law in his home town. However the lure of the Comstock, a rich silver mine in Nevada, enticed him to move West landing there in 1860. Instead of working in the silver mines he dealt in mining claims and became knowledgeable in mining laws. He became wealthy in settling mine disputes, buying and selling mining stock and became president of a business that handled accounts and distributed money to stock holders. As the silver boom started to disappear Tritle went for political aspirations. In 1866 he ran for a state senate seat and won. "The public was pleased with his suave manner and eloquent style. A flowing beard complemented his polished appearance while a pleasing voice added to his political charisma." In 1869 he reached National attention when he represented the State of Nevada with a gift of a pure silver spike from the Comstock lode. He spoke at the ceremony on May 10th 1869 saying: "To the iron of the east and the gold of the west, Nevada adds her link of silver to span the continent and wed the oceans." Tritle at the time was running for the governor's chair. "In what was termed a 'splendid run', he lost to the incumbent L.R. Bradley. Tritle did have his day in the political light when in 1882 he was appointed as Arizona's territorial Governor. "Tritle died at Phoenix in 1906 in a room containing scrapbooks of clippings on his political career and small bars of Arizona copper and Comstock silver." Written from an article by Robert L. Spude called; "Son of the Comstock" John Todd (Oct. 9, 1800-Aug. 24, 1873), Congregational clergyman, and author. Was born in Ruthland, Vt. His mother went insane at his birth and his father died when he was six. As a boy he moved around to but in the end lived near Boston, Mass. where he went to school. At the age of 18 he went to Yale and although he was unprepared, ill much of the time and poor he graduated in 1822 with honors. He began preaching at Groton, Mass., and was called to the pastorate by the orthodox portion of the church. In 1833 he went to Northhpton, Mass to take over the pastorate. In 1837 he went to pastor a newly formed Congregational church in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1842 he took over the pastorate of a congregation in Pittsfield, Mass., where he would stay the rest of his life. When he went to Pittsfield he was well known and became a leader in public and religious affairs. He became famous with his many publications. He was well liked socially and became sought after as an after dinner speaker. He took an important place on May 10, 1869 when he traveled to Promontory Summit and gave the prayer to commence and give God's blessing to the Last Spike Celebration.