John Sanford (1851)
Encyclopedia
John Sanford was an American businessman, a prominent owner/breeder of Thoroughbred
racehorses
, and a member of the United States House of Representatives
from New York's 20th congressional district
.
and the grandson of John Sanford (1803)
was born on January 18, 1851 in Amsterdam (city), New York
and died on September 26, 1939 in Saratoga, New York
. He was a descendant of Gov. Thomas Welles
, the Fourth Colonial Governor of Connecticut and the transcriber of the Fundamental Orders.
He attended Amsterdam Academy, and the Poughkeepsie Military Institute. He was educated at Yale College
, earning a degree in 1872.
, February 17, 1892, Ethel Sanford, born on September 2, 1873 at Brussels, Belgium and died in 1924 in New York City. She was a daughter of Hon. Henry Shelton Sanford
and Gertrude Ellen Dupuy. Henry Shelton Sanford was the accomplished diplomat and successful businessman and founder of the city of Sanford, Florida.
John and Ethel were the parents of the following three children:
Sanford was elected as a Republican
to the Fifty-first
and Fifty-second
Congresses (March 4, 1889-March 3, 1893).
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1892.
He resumed former business pursuits.
He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1892.
with his colt, George Smith
. In 1923 he became the first American to win the most prestigious steeplechase
race in the world when his horse Sergeant Murphy won the English Grand National
. In 1933, Sanford won the American Grand National with Best Play.
John Sanford was member of the New York Racing Commission and the Sanford Stakes
, run annually at Saratoga Race Course
, is named in his family's honor.
During the 1930s, John Sanford changed the Hurricana Farm name to Sanford Stud Farms. A major breeder, Sanford imported several important stallions
from Europe
where he owned Haras de Cheffreville in Cheffreville-Tonnencourt
, France
.
in 1939 and was interred in the family plot in the Green Hill Cemetery in Amsterdam, New York. His once renowned breeding farm and training facility in Amsterdam has fallen into severe decay. In 2007, the "Friends of Sanford Stud Farm" was formed by a former Sanford jockey
Louis F. Hildebrandt in an attempt to raise the funds necessary to restore the property.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorses
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, and a member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York's 20th congressional district
New York's 20th congressional district
The 20th Congressional District of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in eastern New York. It includes all or parts of Columbia, Dutchess, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties. It includes the...
.
Early life
John Sanford, a son of Sarah Jane Cochrane and Stephen SanfordStephen Sanford
Stephen Sanford was an American businessman and a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 18th congressional district.-Life and career:...
and the grandson of John Sanford (1803)
John Sanford (1803)
John Sanford was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Roxbury, Connecticut, he was the second son of Sarah Curtis and her husband Stephen Sandford I...
was born on January 18, 1851 in Amsterdam (city), New York
Amsterdam (city), New York
Amsterdam is a city located in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 18,620. The name is derived from the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands....
and died on September 26, 1939 in Saratoga, New York
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
. He was a descendant of Gov. Thomas Welles
Thomas Welles
Thomas Welles is the only man in Connecticut's history to hold all four top offices: governor, deputy governor, treasurer, and secretary. In 1639, he was elected as the first treasurer of the Colony of Connecticut, and from 1640–1649 served as the colony's secretary...
, the Fourth Colonial Governor of Connecticut and the transcriber of the Fundamental Orders.
He attended Amsterdam Academy, and the Poughkeepsie Military Institute. He was educated at Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
, earning a degree in 1872.
Family
He married at Sanford, FloridaSanford, Florida
Sanford is a city in, and the county seat of, Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 50,998...
, February 17, 1892, Ethel Sanford, born on September 2, 1873 at Brussels, Belgium and died in 1924 in New York City. She was a daughter of Hon. Henry Shelton Sanford
Henry Shelton Sanford
Henry Shelton Sanford was an American diplomat and businessman who founded the city of Sanford, Florida.-Early life:Sanford was born in Woodbury, Connecticut into a family with deep New England roots...
and Gertrude Ellen Dupuy. Henry Shelton Sanford was the accomplished diplomat and successful businessman and founder of the city of Sanford, Florida.
John and Ethel were the parents of the following three children:
-
- Stephen "Laddie" Sanford, born in Amsterdam, New York, September 15, 1899 was an American professional polo player and director of the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Company whose wife was American actress, Mary DuncanMary DuncanMary Duncan was an American actress.She began her career as a child actress playing on the Broadway stage from 1910. In 1926 she played the daughter "Poppy" in the smash hit and controversial play The Shanghai Gesture. Florence Reed played her mother called Mother Goddam in which Reed kills Duncan...
.
- Stephen "Laddie" Sanford, born in Amsterdam, New York, September 15, 1899 was an American professional polo player and director of the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Company whose wife was American actress, Mary Duncan
-
- Sara Jane Sanford, born in Amsterdam, New York, November 8, 1900. She married Italian diplomat, Mario Pansa in 1937.
-
- Gertrude Sanford LegendreGertrude Sanford LegendreGertrude Sanford Legendre was an American socialite who served as a spy during World War II. She was also a noted explorer, big-game hunter, environmentalist, and owner of Medway plantation in South Carolina.-Early life:...
, was born in Aiken, South Carolina, March 21, 1902, and was an American socialite who served as a spy during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. She was also a noted explorer, big-game hunter, environmentalist, and owner of Medway plantation in South Carolina. She was inspiration for Philip Barry's 1929 play Holiday (1938 film)Holiday (1938 film)Holiday is a 1938 is a film directed by George Cukor, a remake of the 1930 film of the same name. The film is a romantic comedy which tells the story of a man who has risen from humble beginnings only to be torn between his free-thinking lifestyle and the tradition of his wealthy fiancée's family...
made into a classic movie starring Katharine HepburnKatharine HepburnKatharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
and Cary GrantCary GrantArchibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
.
- Gertrude Sanford Legendre
Career
He engaged with his father in the carpet manufacturing industry in Amsterdam, New York.Sanford was elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the Fifty-first
51st United States Congress
The Fifty-first United States Congress, referred to by some critics as the Billion Dollar Congress, was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C...
and Fifty-second
52nd United States Congress
The Fifty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C...
Congresses (March 4, 1889-March 3, 1893).
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1892.
He resumed former business pursuits.
He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1892.
Thoroughbred horse racing
On the death of his father Stephen in 1913, John Sanford inherited Hurricana Farm. His father had been successful in racing and John Sanford would become a major figure in the industry. He raced a number of top horses and in 1916 won the Kentucky DerbyKentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
with his colt, George Smith
George Smith (horse)
George Smith was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and was the winner of the 1916 Kentucky Derby. George Smith was a jet black colt by the imported British Stallion Out of Reach by the imported British mare, Consuelo II. His grandsire, Persimmon, was a son of the great English racer and sire, St....
. In 1923 he became the first American to win the most prestigious steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
race in the world when his horse Sergeant Murphy won the English Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
. In 1933, Sanford won the American Grand National with Best Play.
John Sanford was member of the New York Racing Commission and the Sanford Stakes
Sanford Stakes
The Sanford Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of July at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. A six furlong sprint race, the Grade II event is open to two-year-old horses....
, run annually at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
, is named in his family's honor.
During the 1930s, John Sanford changed the Hurricana Farm name to Sanford Stud Farms. A major breeder, Sanford imported several important stallions
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
where he owned Haras de Cheffreville in Cheffreville-Tonnencourt
Cheffreville-Tonnencourt
Cheffreville-Tonnencourt is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-Population:-References:*...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Death
John Sanford died in Saratoga, New YorkSaratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
in 1939 and was interred in the family plot in the Green Hill Cemetery in Amsterdam, New York. His once renowned breeding farm and training facility in Amsterdam has fallen into severe decay. In 2007, the "Friends of Sanford Stud Farm" was formed by a former Sanford jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
Louis F. Hildebrandt in an attempt to raise the funds necessary to restore the property.