1879. New York. Stock certificate for 61 shares. Issued to William G. Fargo. Signed on verso as the Executor of his estate by his brother, James C. Fargo. Punch cancellations not affecting Fargo's signature. Fine.
FARGO, JAMES C. (1829-1915). Expressman. Working along with his older brother, William, co-founder of the American Express Co., James became a prominent figure in the railroad and express industries. He became president of American Express in 1881 upon his brother's retirement from that position.
FARGO, WILLIAM G. (1818-1881). Expressman. Fargo got his start in the express business at age 13 through a 30 mile mail route. Sometime later, William Fargo served as a messenger with Wells & Company, the first express company to venture west of Buffalo. Fargo became a partner in Wells & Company and, in 1850, they joined with two other express companies to form the American Express Company which covered the eastern sector of the United States; Wells, Fargo & Company, formed in 1852, covered the western sector.
