American tycoon, industrialist, politician and founder of Stanford University, Amasa Leland Stanford (1824-1893). Migrating to California from New York at the time of the Gold Rush, Stanford became a successful merchant and wholesaler, and continued to build his business empire. He served one two-year term as Republican governor of California after his election in 1861, and later eight years as senator from the state. Leland also played a major role in railroad development throughout California and the Southwest. In May 1868, he helped form the Pacific Union Express Company. It merged in 1870 with Wells Fargo and Company. Stanford was a director of Wells Fargo and Company from 1870 to January 1884. After a brief retirement from the board, he served again from February 1884 until his death in June 1893. Photographed between 1873 and 1890.