Leland Stanford
Governor of California from 1862 to 1863
Who was Leland Stanford?
Leland Stanford lived from March 9, 1824 to June 21, 1893. Stanford and his wife Jane founded Stanford University, named after their late son. Leland Stanford was born on March 9, 1824, in what was then Watervliet, New York (later the Town of Colonie).
Career and public life
Amasa Leland Stanford (March 9, 1824 – June 21, 1893) was an American attorney, industrialist, philanthropist, and Republican Party politician from Watervliet, New York. He served as the eighth governor of California from 1862 to 1863 and represented the state in the United States Senate from 1885 until his death in 1893. Stanford became a successful merchant and wholesaler after migrating to California in 1852 during the gold rush; he built a business empire. Stanford is widely considered a robber baron. He was one of eight children of Josiah and Elizabeth... Amasa Leland Stanford was an American attorney, industrialist, philanthropist, and Republican Party politician from Watervliet, New York.
Historical significance
Stanford was an influential executive of the Central Pacific Railroad and later of the Southern Pacific railroads from 1861 to 1890; these positions gave him tremendous power in the Western United States which left a lasting impact on California. Stanford also played a significant role as a shareholder and executive in the early history of Pacific Life and Wells Fargo. He was the first Republican governor of California.