William Leidesdorff facts for kids
William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. (born October 23, 1810 – died May 18, 1848) was a very successful businessman and an important early citizen in California. He was one of the first biracial-black U.S. citizens in the area. He also helped found the city we now know as San Francisco.
William Leidesdorff came from the West Indian islands. His family had roots from African Cuban, Carib, Danish/Swedish, and Jewish backgrounds. He became a United States citizen in New Orleans in 1834. In 1841, he moved to Alta California, which was then ruled by Mexico. He settled in a small village called Yerba Buena, which later became San Francisco. At that time, only about 30 Mexican and European families lived there.
In 1844, he became a Mexican citizen. The Mexican government gave him a large piece of land, about 35,500 acres (144 km2), south of the American River. This land was known as Rancho Rio de los Americanos. From 1845, Leidesdorff served as the U.S. Vice Consul for Mexico at the Port of San Francisco. He was also the President of the San Francisco school board and was elected City Treasurer. Not long before he passed away, a lot of gold was found on his Rancho Rio De los Americanos land. When his property was sold in 1856, it was worth more than $1,445,000. This amount did not even include the huge amounts of gold found on his land.
In 2011, there were celebrations for the 200th anniversary of his birth. These events, called "Golden Legacy of William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr.," took place on his home island of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Early Life and Family
William Leidesdorff, Jr. was born in Christiansted on Saint Croix. At that time, the Virgin Islands were ruled by Denmark. He was the oldest of four children. His father was Wilhelm Alexander Leidesdorff, a Danish sugar plantation manager. His mother was Anna Marie Sparks. She was said to have African and Spanish heritage.
William Leidesdorff, Jr.'s mother, Anna Marie Sparks, was sometimes described as a Carib Indian woman. People believed she also had African and European family. She was often noted as having lighter skin. This was common for people of mixed backgrounds in the Virgin Islands Creole community. Other records say she was a mixed-race woman from Cuba.
William Leidesdorff, Jr. was baptized as a Lutheran, like his brothers and sisters. This was a common practice for people of Jewish background in Europe to avoid problems. In 1837, his father officially adopted all four children. This gave them legal rights under Danish Law.
Today, William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. is known as the "African Founding Father of California." This was recognized by the California State Legislature.
Building a Career
After growing up, Leidesdorff moved to New Orleans. There, he became a United States citizen. He worked as a captain of shipping vessels. From 1834 to 1840, he was a Ship Captain or Master sailing out of New Orleans. He was believed to be one of the last black ship captains in Louisiana. This was because of strict rules about sailors at the Port of New Orleans.
In 1841, Leidesdorff traveled to New York. He became the Master of a ship called the Julia Ann. This ship sailed from New York to Yerba Buena (which is now San Francisco). Yerba Buena was then part of Mexico. His long journey took him through Panama, St. Croix, Brazil, Chile, Hawaii, Sitka (Alaska), and then down to California. He followed the ocean currents during the "Age of Sail."
Making a Mark in San Francisco
When Leidesdorff, Jr. arrived in Yerba Buena, he quickly started building his businesses. The village was small, with only about thirty European-Mexican families. So, it didn't take long for him to make a big difference. He launched the first steamboat to operate on San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River. This boat was 37 feet (11 m) long and bought in Alaska.
He also built the City Hotel, which was the first hotel in San Francisco. He built the first commercial shipping warehouse too. This warehouse was on what is now Leidesdorff Street.
In 1844, Leidesdorff received a huge land grant from the Mexican government. It was about 35,521 acres (143.75 km2) on the south side of the American River. This land was near what is now the City of Sacramento. He named his property Rancho Rio de los Americanos. At this time, Mexico wanted important Americans to settle in its territory. They offered large land grants. In return, Americans had to become Catholic, learn Spanish, and become Mexican citizens. Leidesdorff built strong business connections throughout Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexican California.
During his eight years living there, Leidesdorff was one of six town council members, called Ayuntamiento. After the United States took over California after the Mexican–American War, he became one of three members on the first San Francisco school board. This board started the first public school in the city. Later, he was elected City Treasurer. His house was one of the biggest in town, and he gave land for the first public school.
In 1845, during President James Polk's time, Leidesdorff was asked to be the U.S. Vice Consul to Mexico at the Port of San Francisco. This shows how important he was in the area. Before the American flag was raised over San Francisco in July 1846, Leidesdorff had the U.S. Declaration of Independence read aloud at his home. This was to celebrate Independence Day.
Leidesdorff, Jr. was known for being honest and hardworking. People said he was "generous, welcoming, friendly, and trusting." He became one of the richest men in California. The value of his land near Sacramento grew a lot just before he died. This was because gold was found along the American River, right above his Leidesdorff Ranch.
In May 1848, most men left San Francisco for the gold fields. They hoped to find gold and get rich. Other towns were almost empty because of the excitement of the Gold Rush.
Personal Life and Passing
Leidesdorff never married. He lived with a Russian woman and had good relationships with the Russian community in Sitka, Alaska.
William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. died from typhoid fever on May 18, 1848. On the day he was buried, the town was very sad. Flags were lowered, businesses closed, and schools were shut. He was buried near the entrance of Mission Dolores on the same day.
His Amazing Legacy
- Leidesdorff Street in San Francisco, California, and Leidesdorff Street in Folsom, California, are named after him.
- About 15 miles (24 km) of U.S. Route 50 was named the William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Memorial Highway. This highway runs along the edge of his "Historic Leidesdorff Ranch." This ranch was his 35,000-acre (140 km2) cattle and wheat farm along the southern banks of the American River Parkway in Sacramento County.
- His legacy was honored at the 25th Anniversary of the Federal Holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the CORE New York City, New York Gala.
- There was a Leidesdorff Exhibit at Mission Delores Basilica in San Francisco, California, from May 1–31, 2010.
- A Leidesdorff Bicentennial Celebration, called "Golden Legacy of William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr.," was held on October 23, 2010, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
