Thomas Walsh (miner) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Francis Walsh
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Thomas Walsh in 1904
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| Born | April 2, 1850 Lisronagh, Ireland
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| Died | April 8, 1910 (aged 60) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Occupation | Gold mine owner |
| Spouse(s) | Carrie Bell Reed |
| Children | Evalyn Walsh McLean Vinson Walsh |
Thomas Francis Walsh (born April 2, 1850 – died April 8, 1910) was an Irish-American miner. He became famous for finding one of the biggest gold mines in the United States.
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Early Life of Thomas Walsh
Thomas Walsh was born on April 2, 1850, in Lisronagh, Ireland. His parents were Michael and Bridget Walsh. He grew up on his family's farm.
When he was twelve, Thomas started learning a trade. He became an apprentice to a millwright, which is someone who designs or builds mills. He learned to be a skilled carpenter.
In 1869, after his father passed away, Thomas and his sister Maria moved to the United States. Thomas lived for a while in Worcester, Massachusetts. His aunts helped him get used to his new country.
Walsh's Mining Career
In the early 1870s, Thomas Walsh decided to "Go West, young man" and moved to Colorado. He found good work there using his carpentry skills. At first, he was interested in the business opportunities that came with the gold rush. He would trade goods and services for high prices.
Soon, Thomas became very interested in gold mining itself. He started trading mining equipment to prospectors. Instead of money, he would accept parts of their mining claims as payment. He also studied mining technology at night to learn more.
In 1877, he moved to Leadville, Colorado, with a good amount of money. He and his wife, Carrie, even ran a hotel there called the Grand Central Hotel.
Finding the Camp Bird Mine
Thomas Walsh eventually caught "gold fever." But unlike many others, he was very careful and smart about how he searched for gold. His hard work paid off in 1896. He came home and told his daughter, "Daughter, I've struck it rich!"
He had found the Camp Bird Gold Mine near Ouray, Colorado. This mine quickly started producing a lot of gold. The Walsh family became very wealthy from it. In a short time, Thomas Walsh had earned a fortune.
Life in Washington, D.C.
The family's new wealth allowed them to live a very fancy life. They traveled to Europe, bought nice clothes, and owned expensive cars. Around 1898, the family moved to Washington, D.C..
In Washington, D.C., President William McKinley chose Thomas Walsh for an important role. He became a commissioner for the Paris Exposition of 1899, a big world's fair.
Thomas Walsh's Family Life
On July 11, 1879, Thomas Walsh married Carrie Bell Reed in Leadville, Colorado. They had two children together:
- Evalyn Walsh, born August 1, 1886
- Vinson Walsh, born April 9, 1888, who sadly died in a car accident in 1905
In 1903, the Walsh family moved into a beautiful mansion. It was located at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C. This house later became the Indonesian Embassy.
Thomas Walsh was also interested in new technology. On January 23, 1909, he became president of The Aero Club of Washington. This club was created to help promote the new idea of aviation (flying).
Because of his work with the Paris Exposition, Walsh became friends with Leopold II of Belgium, a king. The king never visited the U.S. But later, in 1919, Leopold's nephew, King Albert, and his wife Queen Elisabeth visited. Thomas's wife, Carrie, was honored by the King for her help during World War I.
In 1908, Thomas's daughter Evalyn married Edward Beale McLean. Edward's father, John Roll McLean, later owned The Washington Post newspaper.
Thomas Walsh passed away on April 8, 1910, at his home in Washington, D.C.
