Sanford, John, 1851-1939

Biographical note: Born in Amsterdam, New York, John Sanford graduated from Yale University and entered his family's carpet business. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1888 and 1890, served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and helped draft the McKinley Tariff Bill. His district included Saratoga, New York.

Upon the death of his father, General Stephen Sanford, in 1913, Sanford inherited $40,000,000, the Sanford Carpet Mills in Amsterdam, and the Hurricana Farm, later renamed the Sanford Stud Farm. For two generations this farm was the largest and most important thoroughbred horse breeding establishment in New York, and the Sanfords won stakes victories in the United States, France, England, and Canada, including the 1916 Kentucky Derby. Sanford was a member of the Jockey Club and served at one time as a state racing commissioner in New York with August Belmont and James W. Wadsworth, Jr.