Johann Augustus Sutter (February 15, 1803 – June 18, 1880) was a German-born
Swiss pioneer of California known for his association with the
California Gold Rush by the discovery of gold by
James W. Marshall and the mill making team at
Sutter's Mill, and for establishing
Sutter's Fort in the area that would eventually become
Sacramento, the
state's capital. Although famous throughout California for his association with the Gold Rush, Sutter saw his business ventures fail while those of his elder son,
John Augustus Sutter, Jr., were more successful.