Benjamin F. Tuttle

Benjamin Franklin Tuttle (August 29, 1825 – September 18, 1907) was an American pioneer, politician, and member of the Democratic Party who served in the California State Assembly and California State Senate, serving as the Senate's 20th president pro tempore.

Biography Tuttle was born in Paris, Maine in 1825 As a child he also lived in Skowhegan and attended the Bloomfield Academy. Tuttle left for California by ship on October 2, 1849, from Bath, Maine and arrived in San Francisco on March 28, 1850, after having made stops in Rio de Janeiro and Valparaíso.

Political career Tuttle was elected to the California State Senate's 19th district in 1871 to fill the term of the desceased William Burnet. Tuttle served as chairman of the Committee on Education in his first term. He was reelected in 1873 and sat on the Education and Finance committees, and was responsible for the Tuttle School Bill, which helped fund public schools throughout the state. On June 24th, 1875, Tuttle was elected president of the Sonoma County Democratic Party. In 1875, Tuttle was reelected to the Senate, this time from the 21st district, and was elected President pro tempore, with the support of senate Democrats and independents. He was also mentioned by the Marysville Daily Appeal as a candidate for State Controller although he was not the eventual nominee.

Personal life Tuttle was Episcopalian and had three children.