California Governor. A native of New York, Waterman moved to Illinois at a young age where he would work for several years as a store clerk. With the discovery of gold in California, he moved west in 1850 to try his luck in mining only to return to Illinois unsuccessful in 1852. In 1854 he entered politics as a founding member of the Illinois Republican Party and later was important in the 1860 presidential election of Abraham Lincoln. In 1873 he moved back to California and settled in San Bernardino County where in 1880, he and John L. Porter discovered a rich deposit of silver. The find would result in large profits for Waterman and lead to the development of the Calico Mining District. In 1887 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of California under Governor Washington Bartlett. Following the death of Gov. Bartlett on September 12, 1887, Waterman was appointed in his place as the 17th Governor of California serving until 1891.
California Governor. A native of New York, Waterman moved to Illinois at a young age where he would work for several years as a store clerk. With the discovery of gold in California, he moved west in 1850 to try his luck in mining only to return to Illinois unsuccessful in 1852. In 1854 he entered politics as a founding member of the Illinois Republican Party and later was important in the 1860 presidential election of Abraham Lincoln. In 1873 he moved back to California and settled in San Bernardino County where in 1880, he and John L. Porter discovered a rich deposit of silver. The find would result in large profits for Waterman and lead to the development of the Calico Mining District. In 1887 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of California under Governor Washington Bartlett. Following the death of Gov. Bartlett on September 12, 1887, Waterman was appointed in his place as the 17th Governor of California serving until 1891.
Bio by: G.Photographer
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Waterman memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
