David W. Alexander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David W. Alexander
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| Born | June 22, 1812 Ireland
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| Died | April 29, 1886 (aged 73) Los Angeles, California
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| Occupation | Sheriff |
| Spouse(s) | Adelaida Johnson Mellus |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | George C. Alexander (brother) |
David W. Alexander (born June 22, 1812 – died April 29, 1886) was an important person in early California. He was a pioneer and a politician in Los Angeles County, California. He helped lead the county as a supervisor and later became the sheriff.
Contents
David W. Alexander: A California Pioneer
Early Life and Moves
David W. Alexander was born in Ireland on June 22, 1812. He moved to the United States in 1832 with one of his brothers. For about three or four years, he lived in Philadelphia. From there, he moved to Rocheport, Missouri. Some people say he spent a lot of his younger years in Mexico.
Starting a Career in Trade
In 1837, David Alexander ran a trading company. This company traveled all the way to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1841, he came to California with the Rowland-Workman Party. For some time, he lived on a ranch called Rancho El Rincon in San Bernardino County, California.
Later, he moved to the port of San Pedro. There, he and Juan Temple started a trading business. They also ran a general store from 1844 to 1849. They often traded animal hides, which were almost like money back then.
Bringing New Things to Los Angeles
In January 1849, Temple and Alexander did something amazing. They brought the first four-wheel vehicle to Los Angeles. Before this, only mission priests had a local cart. Their new vehicle was a rockaway and cost $1000. They also brought two American horses. Everything came from New England by ship, sailing all the way around the tip of South America.
Business and Land Deals
After that, David Alexander started a new company. It was called Alexander and Mellus Company. This business was a general store in Los Angeles. He also worked with Phineas Banning in San Pedro until 1855.
David Alexander also became involved in buying and selling land in Southern California. In 1851, he and his partner bought Rancho Providencia. Later, in 1867, he sold this ranch to David Burbank. In 1872, the United States courts officially recognized Alexander as the owner of Rancho Tujunga, Rancho Cahuenga, and Rancho Providencia.
Freight and Stage Lines
David's brother, George C. Alexander, and Phineas Banning ran a very successful freight and stage line. It was called Alexander & Banning. In 1851, they brought ten large freight wagons from Salt Lake City. These were the first wagons of their kind in the area. Later, they bought 16 more wagons and 168 mules from Chihuahua, which cost about $30,000.
In 1855, David Alexander was known as an experienced frontiersman. He helped lead a train of wagons through San Francisquito Canyon. It was a very difficult trip, taking three days to go just one mile. They had to build the road as they went. But the wagons reached Fort Tejon with all their cargo safe.
Political Roles and Public Service
During the Mexican–American War (1846–47), David Alexander supported the Americans. He was taken prisoner by the Californios (people of California of Spanish or Mexican descent) but was later released.
After the war, he became a regidore (like a council member) in the city government from January to June 1850. He was also the first President of the Los Angeles Common Council. This was the main governing group for the city. He served from 1850 to 1851.
In 1852, he traveled to Europe. When he returned, he was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1853 and 1854. As a supervisor, he helped create the first road over the San Fernando Mountains. He was then elected Sheriff of Los Angeles County. He served as sheriff from 1855 to 1856 and again from 1876 to 1877.
Family Life
On November 7, 1864, David Alexander married Adelaida Johnson Mellus. She was from Guaymas, Mexico, and was the widow of his former business partner, Francis Mellus. They had five children: Martha, Elizabeth, Ynez, Joseph W., and Samuel.
Later Years and Death
David W. Alexander passed away in Wilmington on April 29, 1886.
