History of Frankfort, (Waldo County) Maine United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Frankfort, (Waldo County) Maine, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Frederick Ferdinand Low, governor of California, was born in Frankfort, Maine, June 30, 1828. He attended school at Frankfort and Hampton academy, and entered mercantile business in Boston, Mass., in 1846. He went to California in 1849 and engaged in mining; in the shipping business in San Francisco, with Henry Lambert and later with his two brothers, and removed to Marysville, Cal., in 1855 and engaged in banking. He was a Republican representative from California in the 37th congress, 1861-63; was appointed collector of the port of San Francisco in 1863, and during the same year was elected governor of California, serving 1864-67. He was U.S. minister to China, 1867-74, and at the time of the sacking of the missions and massacre of missionaries at Tien Tsin, he severely criticized the emperor of China and forced him to recognize the power of foreign ministers to protect their citizens engaged as missionaries, and was one of the first foreigners to be admitted into the presence of the emperor. In February, 1871, he was empowered to negotiate with the empire of Corea for the protection of shipwrecked seamen, and for a treaty of commerce and navigation. For his services in behalf of Catholic missions Mr. Low was publicly thanked by the pope. Upon his resignation as U.S. minister, he became chief manager of the Anglo-Californian bank. He was one of the incorporators and a director of the Californian Steam Navigation company in 1854, and was interested in the cultivation of sugar in the Hawaiian Islands. He died in San Francisco, Cal., July 21, 1894.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Frankfort, (Waldo County) Maine

Biographies: