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William Waldo | |
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| Born | (1812-01-16)January 16, 1812 |
| Died | November 2, 1881(1881-11-02) (aged 69) |
| Occupation | Sea captain |
| Political party | Whig |
William Waldo (January 16, 1812 – November 2, 1881) was a candidate forGovernor of California in1853. He was born in Harrison County, Virginia (now part of West Virginia) but spent most of his life inMissouri, where he was a merchant and steamboat captain. In 1849 he joined thegold rush to California at the head of a wagon train. In California the next year, reports arrived of impending starvation among numerous immigrants on theNevada side of theSierra Nevada mountains. Waldo put great effort into recruiting and delivering supplies for them, and became well known for his relief attempts. In 1853 theWhig party nominated Waldo as their candidate for Governor, but he narrowly lost to the incumbentJohn Bigler. Following his defeat, he returned east, first toMinnesota and then back toMissouri where his wife and children had remained. In his later years he moved to Texas, where he died.
William Waldo is said to be the namesake ofWaldo, Oregon[1][2] where he accidentally campaigned, believing the settlement was in California, and of Waldo Point nearSausalito, California. He was the brother ofOregon politicianDaniel Waldo.[3]
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| Preceded by | Whig nominee forGovernor of California 1853 | Succeeded by None |
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