Born 1836 – Boston, MA Died 1908 – Stockbridge, MA
James Duncan Hague was born in Boston and earned an engineering degree at Harvard University before pursuing studies in mining and geology at the University of Gottingen, Hanover, Germany. Hague continued his education at the Royal School of Mines in Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. In 1872, after finding success in the mining industry, he married Mary Ward Foote, sister of Arthur De Wint Foote.
In 1863, Hague launched his career as a consulting mining engineer. It was a career that took him to mines throughout the West, and Hague became a successful, and wealthy, leader in the mining world. While Hague lived most of his adult life in the East, the Hagues resided in San Francisco from 1872 to 1878 where they were part of the city’s social scene.
In 1884, William Bourn, Jr., owner of the Empire Mine, purchased the North Star Mine, which had been slowly growing under a succession of owners. Bourn made improvements to equipment, acquired additional mine claims, and grew the productivity of the mine about the same time that Hague was looking for a mining investment.
As both an experienced mining engineer and a financier, Hague had an advantage in assessing investments. He also had strong backers lined up and in, 1887, Hague purchased the North Star Mine.
Hague was convinced that consolidation of many claims surrounding North Star was the only way to succeed. During the next few years, he acquired the Massachusetts Hill, Rocky Bar, Boston Ravine, Gold Hill in addition to smaller claims that had been idle but previously productive.
Hague quickly realized he would need a huge power plant and needed someone with training and skills in both civil and mining engineering. He turned to Arthur D. Foote, his brother-in-law and former colleague. A new power plant and innovative pumping system were completed in 1895. The next year, Foote was appointed Superintendent of the North Star Mine, with enthusiastic support from the company’s Board of Directors.
Hague continued to make acquisitions and grow the North Star Mine. By the early 1900s, with the mine was doing well, Hague decided that a mansion was in order, both to compete with the Bourn “Cottage” at the Empire Mine and to impress potential investors and the local leaders as well as provide a home for the Foote family. Hague commissioned newly-licensed architect Julia Morgan to design North Star House in 1904. The house was completed the next year.
Hague left a legacy in the mining world and was an important driving force for the success of the North Star Mine.