William Fargo

Fargo helped build the express networks that carried goods and money across the expanding United States, an early model of the parcel carriers e-commerce depends on. Starting as an express messenger, he co-founded both American Express and Wells Fargo, which served the California gold rush and the West. He later led American Express and served as mayor of Buffalo during the Civil War. The city of Fargo, North Dakota, is named after him. Modern carriers' promises of guaranteed delivery and liability for lost goods trace to these express companies.

• Henry Wells1805–1878 · Co-founder of Wells Fargo, American Express
• William Harnden1812–1845 · Founder of the US express business

• Wells Fargo & Company Express1852 · An express and banking firm serves Gold Rush California
• American Express Founded as an Express Company1850 · Three express firms merge to carry freight and money
• First Transcontinental Railroad1869 · Rails from east and west meet at Promontory Summit

1. William Fargo (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.org
2. William G. Fargo historic marker (William G. Pomeroy Foundation) wgpfoundation.org