PART FOUR
Young Same Goes to College and beyond!
The time has now come for young Sam to get a proper education. Taking time off from his position within Brannan’s stores and business, Sam accepts an opening at a prestigious university. Majoring of course in business studies, he also picks up several courses in art and the sciences. Young Sam was always said to be ‘bookish’ in the OTL, known to read books on anything and a healthy love for nature. Originally Sam the elder discouraged such things, but now, especially grooming young Sam as his successor, these are encouraged.
Meanwhile, elder Sam, who sees his current land holdings and department stores as entering a period of stability, decides to once more “take a risk” Brannan has always been about risks as well as trying to see what the next “Big Thing” is. During the mid-1870’s much of what was ‘Big’ in the west was cattle. In 1875 Brannan looks for large flat space in California and, on a hunch, decides to buy up more than 1000 acres of land in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley
Over the next four years the cattle market does not preform especially well, however he continues to push the ranch land. Unlike his “experiment” with the railroad to Calastoga, the amount of cash investment into the Kern Cattle Ranch is in comparison minimal, and this time Brannan is certain his hunch will prove correct.
By 1878 Brannan celebrates his 59th Birthday. Aging and having increasing pain in his joints, he none the less continues to push his company and himself while ever remaining the faithful family man. As his experiment in cattle continues and begins, Brannan also spends the next few years expanding in the booming towns of Los Angeles and San Diego. Brannan is certain that in time they ‘might’ grow just as huge as San Francisco.
By 1880 Young Sam is now no longer young. At 35 years old, he has graduated from university and has a fresh new understanding of the world. His father installs in him a larger stake in the company, and tells him it is time for him to “Make a name for himself” And to begin to carve his own destiny.
Sam Jr. decides to travel the world, heading east to tour the great cities of Europe and to see what the rest of the world has to offer him before he begins to take control of the family company.
Sam Jr. spends much of his time visiting the great and powerful, visiting the Kings and Queens of the European royalty.