James Mandeville died in office on February 4, 1876. William B. C. Brown was appointed to fill the vacancy on February 8, 1876 and served the remainder of the term.
Candidates' party affiliations obtained from the 9/11/1875 Sonoma Democrat (of Santa Rosa).
Source for Popular Vote data: California State Archives, "Controller," Abstract of Votes for State Offices Polled throughout the State of California at a General Election held September 1st 1875 (Sacramento, 1875)