Waterman, R. W. (Robert Whitney), 1826-1891.

Robert Whitney Waterman was born in Fairfield, New York, on December 15, 1826. In 1873, he moved to California with his family, eventually settling in San Bernardino. Waterman became successful in the mining industry and also owned large tracts of land. In 1886 he ran on the Republican ticket for the office of lieutenant governor and was elected along with a Democratic governor. Upon the governor's death in September 1887, Waterman assumed the office and held it until January of 1891. He died of pneumonia on April 12, 1891.

From the description of R.W. Waterman papers, 1886-1924, undated. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 733775690

Biographical Information

Robert Whitney Waterman was born in Fairfield, New York, on December 15, 1826, and, as a boy, moved to Illinois with his older brothers after their father’s death. He worked as a storekeeper and farmer there. After hearing of gold, Waterman traveled to California in 1850 to try mining but was unsuccessful and returned to Illinois two years later. In Wilmington, Illinois, he became highly involved in the Republican Party and, in 1856, he was one of the state’s two delegates to the Republican National Convention. The other was Abraham Lincoln. In 1873, Waterman moved to California with his family, eventually settling in San Bernardino. Waterman became extremely successful in the mining industry and also owned large tracts of land. In 1886 he ran on the Republican ticket for the office of lieutenant governor and was elected along with a Democratic governor. Upon the governor’s death in September 1887, Waterman assumed the office and held it until January of 1891. In failing health, he died of pneumonia on April 12, 1891.

From the guide to the R. W. Waterman papers, 1886-1924, undated, (California Historical Society)