Frederick Ferdinand Low | |
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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 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 |
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In office June 3, 1862 – March 3, 1863 |
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Preceded by | Seat created |
Succeeded by | Thomas Bowles Shannon |
Personal details | |
Born |
Frankfort, Maine |
June 30, 1828
Died | July 21, 1894 San Francisco, California |
(aged 66)
Political party | Republican Unionist |
Spouse(s) | Mollie Creed |
Profession | Banker, politician |
Frederick Ferdinand Low (June 30, 1828 – July 21, 1894) was an American politician, US congressman and the ninth governor of California.
Born in Frankfort (now Winterport, Maine) in 1828, Low attended the Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine. Low 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 prior to becoming governor of California 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 building in 1869. 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, father of the University of California, however, his successor, Henry H. Haight signed March 23, 1868, the Charter of the University.