The Cattle King

In 1850 a German immigrant with an adopted name and six dollars in his pocket arrived in San Francisco. Forty years later, Henry Miller was the largest private landowner in the United States, the driving force behind the firm of Miller & Lux, and one of the most powerful men in California. His story is an important part of the history of land and water politics in 19th-century California.
From the Foreword:
The west has produced many men who have reached the top of the ladder in many walks of life, but, when measured by actual achievement in connection with the development of the material resources of the west, Henry Miller holds a preeminent place. To own over one million acres of land situated in five states, fully stocked, two banks and their branches, reservoirs, and other properties, all operated as a unit, appraised at fifty million dollars, and acquired, developed, protected, reclaimed and irrigated by the sole efforts of one man starting in life with nothing but his natural endowments, is an achievement which cannot but attract attention and wonder.
It is the purpose of this book to show the character of the man who accomplished this task, and the manner in which it was brought about. It is unnecessary to add any word in his praise, for the story itself is the best evidence of the just appraisement of him as a unique and outstanding character of western life.