Background
Sanford, Henry Shelton was born on June 15, 1823 in Woodbury, Connecticut, United States. Son of Nehemiah Curtis and Nancy (Shelton) Sanford.
Sanford, Henry Shelton was born on June 15, 1823 in Woodbury, Connecticut, United States. Son of Nehemiah Curtis and Nancy (Shelton) Sanford.
Attended Washington College (now Trinity College), Hartford, Connecticut, 1839-1841. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Heidelberg (Germany) U.
Attache, Saint St. Petersburg, Russia, 1847. Acting secretary of legation, Frankfort, Germany, 1848. Secretary of legation, Paris, France, 1849-1854, charge d’affaires, 1853-1854.
Published The Different Systems of Penal Codes in Europe.
Also a Report on the Administrative Changes in France, 1854. Minister resident to Belgium, 1861-1869.
Bought large tract of land on Saint John's River, Florida, 1870. Built sawmill and store (beginnings of Town of Sanford).
Established colony of Swedish immigrants, New Upsala, Florida.
Enlisted British capital, formed company to promote development Sanford region, 1880. Appointed member Executive Committee International Association for Exploration and Civilization of Central Africa, 1876. Delegate from American Geography Society to international congress of African Association, 1877, through his exertions United States recognized the Association as friendly government, 1884.
Decorated grand officer Order of Leopold by King Leopold of Belgium, 1878.
Delegate from United States to Conference of Berlin, 1884-1885, signed General Acting of Conference establishing status of Congo Free State, signed General Acting between United States and other powers for repression of slave trade and restriction of commerce in firearms and liquor in Africa, 1890.
Member Executive Committee International Association for Exploration and Civilization of Central Africa, 1876.
Married Gertrude East. duPuy, September 21, 1864, 7 children.