George Stoneman
1883–1887
Significant Facts
Born: August 8, 1822 in Busti, Chautauqua County, New York
Died: September 5, 1894 in Buffalo, New York
Married: Mary Hardisty on November 22, 1871 in Baltimore, MD
Political Party: Democrat
Family
Father: George Stoneman
Mother: Catharine Cheney Aldrich
Wife: Mary Hardisty
Children: Cornelius, George, Jr., Katherine and Adele
Find out more about the time period and interests of George Stoneman
Did You Know?
- Stoneman’s sister, Kate, was the first woman lawyer in New York State
- In 1885, Stoneman's ranch house in San Gabriel was burned to the ground when he was away. Arson was evident and there were rumors the fire was started by political enemies.
Biography
A military man, George Stoneman was born in New York in 1822. He attended Jamestown Academy in Jamestown, NY. Stoneman was appointed to West Point Military Academy in 1842. He graduated from West Point in 1846 with high honors. Soon after graduating from West Point, Stoneman served in the Mexican War.
Stoneman was in command of the San Francisco Presidio in 1848 and 1849. After arriving in California, Stoneman was appointed to be in command of the San Francisco Presidio. Later, he served in the Civil War and rose to the rank of colonel. In 1870, President Grant sent Stoneman to command the Department of Arizona, a post he held until 1871. Stoneman moved to California where he was a rancher for the next several years. In 1876, Stoneman was appointed to the California Transportation Commission. He served on the Federal Indian Commission in 1878. His first elected position was as a commissioner of the Railroad Commission in 1879.
Stoneman was inaugurated as Governor on January 10, 1883. He advocated controlling rates and limiting the power of the Southern Pacific Railroad; however, he failed his efforts against the railroad-controlled legislature. Stoneman supported prison reform and staunchly believed in rehabilitating prisoners through parole - so much so that in the last few weeks of his term, Stoneman granted 260 pardons and commuted 146 prison sentences.
In 1887 Stoneman returned to his San Gabriel ranch for a few years. In 1891, he moved to Buffalo, NY to live with his sister. He suffered a stroke in April 1894 and died in September 1894.
Bibliography
Books and Articles
- Fordney, George Stoneman: A Biography of the Union General, McFarland & Co., 2008
- 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
National Governors Association
Speeches
Executive Orders and Proclamations
