7. Leland Stanford
Leland Stanford was a prominent industrialist and politician who played a pivotal role in the development of California’s infrastructure. As a key figure in the Central Pacific Railroad, he utilized Chinese immigrant labor to construct the transcontinental railroad, often under exploitative conditions. Stanford’s political career included serving as California’s governor and as a U.S. senator, positions he used to advance his business interests. His wealth and influence left a lasting impact on the state’s economy and politics (en.wikipedia.org).
