George Pardee

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George Cooper Pardee
George Pardee

In office
1903 – 1907
Lieutenant(s) Alden Anderson
Preceded by Henry Gage
Succeeded by James Gillett

Born July 25, 1857
San Francisco, California
Died September 1, 1941
Oakland, California
Political party Republican

George Cooper Pardee (July 25, 1857September 1, 1941) was a medical doctor and was known as the "Earthquake Governor of California," holding office from January 6, 1903 to January 8, 1907. He was born in 1857 in San Francisco, California, to Enoch and Mary Pardee. Prior to his stint as governor, Pardee served as Mayor of the City of Oakland, California.

George Pardee was an important Progressive Era voice in California Republican politics, but his efforts at reform during his governorship brought on the wrath of the railroads and lost him the nomination of his party for a second term. Pardee went on to work for conservationist causes and to help bring Mokelumne River water to Oakland. The Pardee Dam on that river is named after him.

When he was elected to office as Governor of California in 1903, he worked tirelessly to stomp out the bubonic plague which his predecessor Henry Gage refused to admit was present. Pardee, being a physician, and a learned man who wrote textbooks on vaccination was able to clean up the city and revive the state in a way Gage had not. He appointed John Morton Eshleman deputy labor commissioner.

Pardee was also a major donor to the University of California, Berkeley, and his daughters Florence and Helen enrolled there as well (only Helen graduated).

The Pardee Home in Oakland is registered as California Historical Landmark #1027.

He died in 1941 at Oakland, California.

Preceded by
Melvin C. Chapman
Mayor of Oakland, California
18931895
Succeeded by
John L. Davie
Preceded by
Henry Tifft Gage
Governors of California
19031907
Succeeded by
James Norris Gillett