Who is James Reed from The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party and what is their importance?

Forty-five-year-old, James Reed, was a wealthy and successful merchant when he agreed to form the wagon train that would travel to California. A former soldier, Reed had political aspirations and hoped to become the lead negotiator between the Native Americans and the United States government for the territory west of the Rocky Mountains.

Hoping to lead the group himself, Reed was angered when Donner was chosen as the wagon train's captain. He later killed a man in self-defense after stopping him from abusing the groups oxen. As a result, he was banished and forced to travel alone by horse. Once in California, he had to convince others that the group needed rescuing. In the end, he was reunited with his family and became a gold miner and real estate mogul in San Jose