Chicago and Alton Railroad Co. signed by Samuel J. Tilden - 1862 dated $1,000 Bond

$1,000, 7% Bond signed on the back by S.J. Tilden as a trustee. Portrait and biography included.

Samuel Jones Tilden (February 9, 1814 – August 4, 1886) was a prominent American politician, serving as the 25th Governor of New York and the Democratic candidate in the highly contentious 1876 presidential election. Tilden is notable for being the only candidate in U.S. history to win an outright majority of the popular vote in a presidential election but lose the presidency. He initially allied with the Tammany Hall faction but broke with them in 1871 over William M. Tweed's corruption.

As Governor of New York, Tilden earned national recognition for his fight against corruption, including his efforts to dismantle the "Canal Ring." His reformist stance, wealth, and popularity in New York propelled him to secure the Democratic nomination for president in 1876. Tilden's campaign emphasized civil service reform, a commitment to the gold standard, and opposition to high taxes. Despite winning 184 electoral votes, one vote short of a majority, the election was decided by an Electoral Commission that ultimately awarded the presidency to his opponent, Rutherford B. Hayes, through the Compromise of 1877, which also led to the end of Reconstruction. Although he was a major contender in the 1880 and 1884 Democratic presidential races, Tilden chose not to run.