Artist. Historian. In the 1840s, he worked for the United States Bureau of Topographical Engineers where he created many of the maps used by the United States government, including maps of battle sites from the war with Mexico. In 1849, he was among the “49ers” who headed west during the California Gold Rush. He was a captain of the Washington City and California Mining and Wagon Company. During the 1840s and 1850s, he kept extensive journals of his travels.  After his death, his writings were published in a two volume set of books called “Gold Rush: The Journals, Drawings, and Other Papers of J. Goldsborough Bruff.”  Many historians consider the writings to be some of the best sources of information on the Gold Rush.  While serving as the supervising architect of the Treasury Department after the Civil War, he designed the Cyrus Field’s Congressional Medal.   (bio by: Evening Blues)  Family links:  Spouse:  Eliza A. Bruff (____ – 1897)