Stanford, Leland, 1824-1893

Lawyer born in Albany, New York but moved to California where he became active in the Republican Party, running for governor and losing in 1860. Later president of the Union Pacific Railroad and founder of Stanford University.

Leland Stanford was born March 9, 1824 in Waltervliet Township, New York. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1848 and married Jane Lathrop in 1850. In 1852 Stanford moved to California where he first worked as a storekeeper in Mother Lode mining camps and later became a successful Sacramento businessman. Stanford was a leader in organizing the Republican party in California and was elected governor in 1861 at the age of 37. Early in the 1860s Stanford joined with three other Sacramento merchants--Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, and Collis P. Huntington--in the building of the Central Pacific Railroad. In 1884, Leland and Jane founded Leland Stanford Jr. University in memory of their son. Stanford died June 21, 1893 during his second term as United States Senator.

American railroad builder, politician, and philanthropist. He served as the governor of California 1861-1863.

Senator Leland Stanford, formerly President of the Southern Pacific Company and Governor of California (1861-1863), died in 1893 shortly after the opening of Leland Stanford Junior University (1891). Due to a federal suit against the Stanford estate, probate proceedings were not concluded until 1898.

Stanford, railroad magnate, founded Stanford University.

At the time of the letter, Butler Ives was an assistant engineer with the Central Pacific Railroad.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

At the time of the letter, Butler Ives was an assistant engineer with the Central Pacific Railroad.

BIOGRAPHY

Leland Stanford was born March 9, 1824 in Waltervliet Township, New York. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1848 and married Jane Lathrop in 1850. In 1852 Stanford moved to California where he first worked as a storekeeper in Mother Lode mining camps and later became a successful Sacramento businessman. Stanford was a leader in organizing the Republican party in California and was elected governor in 1861 at the age of 37. Early in the 1860s Stanford joined with three other Sacramento merchants--Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, and Collis P. Huntington--in the building of the Central Pacific Railroad. In 1884, Leland and Jane founded Leland Stanford Jr. University in memory of their son. Stanford died June 21, 1893 during his second term as United States Senator.