The Governors' Gallery
Leland Stanford
1862 - 1863
Significant Facts
Born: March 9, 1824 in Watervliet, New York
Died: June 21, 1893 in Palo Alto, California
Married: Jane Lathrop on September 30, 1850 in Albany, NY
Political Party: Republican
Biography
California's eighth governor was born Amasa Leland Stanford in 1824. He was a lawyer, a storekeeper, a Justice of the Peace, and an organizer of the Sacramento Library Association. Most notably, Stanford was one of the "Big Four" (the other three being Huntington, Hopkins and Crocker) who built the transcontinental railroad which connected the Eastern United States to the West.
As Governor, Stanford made major constitutional changes, sponsored legislative reforms, backed the conservation of forests, and cut the state debt in half. One of the constitutional changes enacted during his term lengthened the governor's term in office from two years to four. Consequently, he was the last governor of California to serve a two year term.
Family
Father: Josiah Stanford
Mother: Elizabeth Phillips
Wife: Jane Lathrop
Children: Leland Stanford, Jr.
Did You Know?
Leland Stanford was the first Republican Governor of California
Stanford had a great interest in photography. He sponsored the publication of “The Horse in Motion,” by Eadweard A. MuybridgeBibliography
Books and Articles
Melendy and Gilbert. The Governors of California: From Peter H. Burnett to Edmund G. Brown, Talisman Press, 1965.
Schaechtele. The Governors of California and their Portraits, California State Capitol Museum Volunteer Association, 1995.
Websites
Find out more about the time period and interests of Leland Stanford
Speeches given by Governor Stanford
- Inaugural Address delivered on January 10, 1862