Larue was born James Buskirk Larue in
Franklin, New Jersey, on February 6, 1800. In 1835, Larue migrated from New Jersey to
Pipestone Township, Michigan, where he purchased land and built a sawmill. From 1840 to 1841, Larue served as a representative in the Michigan legislature. In 1850 he left Michigan for the
California gold rush. In 1857, Larue was elected to the
California State Senate representing the county of
Alameda. In 1858, Larue began the Oakland and San Antonio Steam Navigation Company, operating a cut-rate passenger ferry between Oakland and San Francisco. Larue was sued by his competitor
Minturn, who claimed an exclusive contract with the city of Oakland to operate the Oakland-San Francisco ferry route. The case was appealed to the
U.S. Supreme court, with Minturn's exclusivity claims being rejected. Larue died January 7, 1872, in Alameda County. == References ==