Silas Sanderson
Encyclopedia
Silas Woodruff Sanderson (April 16, 1824–1886) was the 7th Chief Justice of California.
Born in Sandgate
, Vermont
, Sanderson attended Burr Seminary, Williams College
, and Union College
, graduating from the last in 1846; he was soon admitted to the bar in New York state. He then moved to Florida where he went into practice with his older brother John in Jacksonville. In 1850 he sailed to California via the Strait of Magellen and settled in Coloma
.
As a Democrat, Sanderson was elected district attorney
in El Dorado County
. Dismayed at the secessionist sentiment in the Democratic party, he became a Republican and backed Leland Stanford
for Governor of California
in the next election. In 1862 he was elected to the state legislature; the following year he was elected to his first term on the Supreme Court of California
, where he served until resigning in 1870 to become a legal advisor to the Southern Pacific Railroad
.
Sanderson married Margaret Beatty Ormsby in 1858; they had four daughters, including Sibyl Sanderson
, a notable operatic soprano.
Born in Sandgate
Sandgate, Vermont
Sandgate is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 353 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.2 square miles , of which 42.2 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, Sanderson attended Burr Seminary, Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
, and Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, graduating from the last in 1846; he was soon admitted to the bar in New York state. He then moved to Florida where he went into practice with his older brother John in Jacksonville. In 1850 he sailed to California via the Strait of Magellen and settled in Coloma
Coloma, California
Coloma is a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California, USA. It is approximately northeast of Sacramento, California. Coloma is most noted for being the site where James W. Marshall first discovered gold in California, at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848, leading to the California...
.
As a Democrat, Sanderson was elected district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
in El Dorado County
El Dorado County, California
El Dorado County is a county located in the historic Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills of the U.S. state of California. The 2010 population was 181,058. The El Dorado county seat is in Placerville....
. Dismayed at the secessionist sentiment in the Democratic party, he became a Republican and backed Leland Stanford
Leland Stanford
Amasa Leland Stanford was an American tycoon, industrialist, robber baron, politician and founder of Stanford University.-Early years:...
for Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
in the next election. In 1862 he was elected to the state legislature; the following year he was elected to his first term on the Supreme Court of California
Supreme Court of California
The Supreme Court of California is the highest state court in California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and regularly holds sessions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Its decisions are binding on all other California state courts.-Composition:...
, where he served until resigning in 1870 to become a legal advisor to the Southern Pacific Railroad
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad....
.
Sanderson married Margaret Beatty Ormsby in 1858; they had four daughters, including Sibyl Sanderson
Sibyl Sanderson
Sibyl Sanderson was a famous American operatic soprano during the Parisian Belle Époque.She was born in Sacramento, California, in the United States...
, a notable operatic soprano.