Leland Stanford

Leland Stanford (March 9, 1824 - 1893), was born in Watervliet, New York, New York. He was a lawyer, but more sucessful as a businessman and made his money from railroad development. He was president of Southern Pacific Railroad[?] from 1885-1890.

Stanford was also politically active. He was Governor of California from 1861-1863 and served as a Senator in the United States Congress in 1885.

As a railroad developer, Stanford encouraged Chinese immigration to find workers for the railroad construction. However, when jobs were scarce, Stanford made them a scapegoat. Stanford led the California legislature to pass taxes and unfair regulations which specifically targeted Chinese. He died in 1893 two years after being reelected as Senator.

See also: Central Pacific Railroad, First Transcontinental Railroad (North America)

Stanford University

With his wife Jane, Stanford founded Stanford University as a memorial for their only child, Leland Stanford Jr., who died of typhoid as a teenager during a trip to Europe.