Frederick Ferdinand Low (June 30, 1828 – July 21, 1894) was an American politician and diplomat who served as the 9th Governor of California from 1863 to 1867. He was previously and a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1862 to 1863, and later in life was appointed United States Minister to China, where he served from 1869 to 1873.
Frederick Ferdinand Low | |
|---|---|
 Low c. 1863–1867 | |
| United States Minister to China | |
| In office September 28, 1869 – July 24, 1873 | |
| President | Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | John Ross Browne |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Parke Avery |
| 9th Governor of California | |
| In office December 10, 1863 – December 5, 1867 | |
| Lieutenant | Tim N. Machin |
| Preceded by | Leland Stanford |
| Succeeded by | Henry Huntly Haight |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's at-large district | |
| In office June 3, 1862 – March 3, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | Seat created |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Bowles Shannon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 30, 1828 Winterport, Maine |
| Died | July 21, 1894 (aged 66) San Francisco, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations | Unionist |
| Spouse | Mollie Creed |
| Children | Flora |
| Profession | Banker, politician |
Early life and education
editBorn in Frankfort (now Winterport, Maine) in 1828, Low attended the Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine.
Career
editLow moved to California, entering the shipping business in San Francisco in 1849. Low became a banker in Marysville, California from 1854 from 1861.
Low presented credentials as a Republican Member-elect to the 37th Congress but was not permitted to take his seat until a special act of Congress was passed. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from June 3, 1862 to March 3, 1863.
Low was appointed in 1863 as collector of the Port of San Francisco, and later that year was elected the 9th Governor of California, serving from December 10, 1863 to December 5, 1867. He was the second California governor to live in the Stanford Mansion as the official residence and office until the opening of the California State Capitol in 1869.[1] Low was California's last Civil War governor. Hallmarks of his administration were the establishment of Yosemite National Park and University of California. Low was considered the father of the University of California, though his successor, Henry H. Haight, signed the Charter of the University.[2]
Low served as United States Minister to China from 1869 to 1874.
Personal life
editHe died in San Francisco on July 21, 1894. He is buried in the Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma.
References
edit- ^ Department of Parks & Recreation. "Stanford Mansion History". State of California. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ State Capitol Museum. "Frederick Low, 9th Governor (1863-1867)". State of California. Archived from the original on 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
External links
edit- United States Congress. "Frederick Low (id: L000469)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.