James Budd
James Herbert Budd | |
---|---|
Henry Gage | |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 2nd district | |
In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 | |
Preceded by | Horace F. Page |
Succeeded by | James A. Louttit |
Personal details | |
Born | Janesville, Wisconsin | May 18, 1851
Died | July 30, 1908 Stockton, California | (aged 57)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Inez A. Merrill |
Profession | Lawyer, politician |
James Herbert Budd (May 18, 1851 – July 30, 1908) was an American
Biography
Budd was born on May 18, 1851, in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Joseph H. and Lucinda (Ash) Budd. While in Wisconsin, Joseph was a lawyer and ran Western Novelty Works, a company which put out farm machinery. When Budd was seven years old, he and his family emigrated to the West, settling in Stockton, California, in 1858. Budd attended local grammar and high schools before attending the University of California, Berkeley, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity, graduating in 1873.[1] Following his graduation, Budd returned to Stockton to study law, being admitted to the California Bar the following year. His public career in the courts began after being appointed the San Joaquin County deputy district attorney.[2]
During the
Once in the
For the 1894 state general elections, Budd was nominated by the state Democratic convention as the party's nominee for the governorship. During the campaign, Budd targeted the growing influence of the
During the often bitter campaign for the governorship, Budd faced serious allegations brought forth by
Despite the serious charges, Budd's campaign remained largely successful. He gained favorable attention during the campaign by personally quieting a runaway team of horses, as well as helping extinguish a fire in Willows.[6]
In the final results, Budd edged out Republican Party challenger
Due in part to his narrow electoral victory, Republicans alleged Budd had engaged in voter fraud. The California State Assembly investigated these claims through a special committee. The Assembly committee's findings concluded that no evidence of vote wrongdoing could be found.[8]
Governorship
During his governorship, Budd pushed legislation through the California State Legislature in 1895 to create the Bureau of Highways, an agency to construct and manage maintenance to the state's growing road network. The Bureau of Highways would later evolve into the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The following year, Budd authorized the purchase of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, making it the first state highway.[10]
Budd's push for future legislation, however, was slowed by the
With his health failing, Budd decided not to seek re-election in 1898. Budd would be the last
Post governorship
Following the end of his first and only term, Budd relocated to
Budd died at the age of 57 on July 30, 1908, in Stockton, and is buried in the city's Rural Cemetery.[11]
Legacy
The Budd Center and Budd Shops at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton are named after the governor. Budd Lake in Yosemite National Park was named for him.
References
- OCLC 25278937.
- ^ a b "James Budd: Stockton's Forgotten Favorite Son". Haggin Museum. 2005-11-06. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ OCLC 483736248.
- ^ The Los Angeles Herald. September 23, 1894.
{{cite news}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ The Los Angeles Times. October 23, 1894.
{{cite news}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ The San Francisco Examiner. October 18–28, 1894.
{{cite news}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "November 6, 1894 General Election Results". JoinCalifornia.org. 1894-11-06. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ a b "California Governor James Herbert Budd". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ James Herbert Budd (January 11, 1895). "Inaugural Address". The Governors' Gallery. The California State Library. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ^ "About Caltrans". California Department of Transportation. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ Kennedy, Glenn A. (May 1968). "Remembered Men in Rural Cemetery" (PDF). San Joaquin Historian. IV (3): 3. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
External links
- James Budd Biography and Inauguration Speech The Governors' Gallery from the California State Library
- United States Congress. "James Budd (id: B001034)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.