George Alexander (American politician)

George Alexander (September 21, 1839 – August 2, 1923) was a political figure who, from 1909 to 1913, served as the 28th mayor of Los Angeles, California.[1]

George Alexander
Mayor George Alexander in office
28th Mayor of Los Angeles
In office March 26, 1909 – July 1, 1913
Preceded by	William Stephens
Succeeded by	Henry R. Rose
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 2nd district
In office 1901–1909
Preceded by	Robert E. Wirsching
Succeeded by	Henry D. McCabe
Personal details
Born	September 21, 1839 Glasgow, Scotland
Died	August 2, 1923 (1923-08-03) (aged 83) Los Angeles, California

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he moved with his parents to the United States at the age of 11. In 1862, during the second year of the Civil War, he married Annie Yeiser in Iowa and participated in combat after enlisting in the Iowa volunteers. After the war, he settled in the small Iowa city of Belle Plaine, and in 1870 started his own grain and feed business.

In 1887, at the age of 48, Alexander moved west to Los Angeles and expanded his grain business. By 1892, he began his governmental career in the County Recorder's office. In 1901, he was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and served until 1909.[2] In 1909 he ran for mayor in an election against council member Fred C. Wheeler[3][4][5][6] and became mayor of Los Angeles on March 26, 1909. He served until July 1, 1913.[7][8][9]

George Alexander died in Los Angeles seven weeks before his 84th birthday and is interred there in Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery.[10]

References

1. "MAYORS OF LOS ANGELES" Prepared by The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department (Printed 2002) Archived 2010-11-26 at the Wayback Machine
2. Supervisor George Alexander Archived 2010-05-27 at the Wayback Machine
3. "27 Mar 1909, Page 1 - San Francisco Chronicle at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
4. "Election Results to Be Known Early," Los Angeles Herald, March 26, 1909, image 5
5. "He has figured in politics before, making a fine run during the last mayoralty campaign in Los Angeles." "Socialists Talk to a Big Crowd," Bakersfield Californian, October 17, 1910, image 4
6. "Los Angeles In Quandary," Des Moines Evening Tribune, March 15, 1909, image 3
7. LOS ANGELES' NEW MAYOR Stirs Up Commissions and Makes Two Appointments to Fire Board (Arizona Journal-Miner, April 2, 1909, page 1)
8. "Rival Candidates for Mayor of Los Angeles" (The Pittsburgh Press, December 2, 1911, page 1, photographs of candidates included)
9. "WOMEN'S VOTES GAVE VICTORY Defeat of Socialism in Los Angeles Attributed to Them. KNEW HOW TO BALLOT Aided Also in Death of Prohibition Ordinance––Alexander 31,685 Ahead." (The Spokesman-Review, December 7, 1911, page 1)
10. "George Alexander". Find a Grave. Retrieved August 13, 2020.

Preceded by Robert E. Wirsching	Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 2nd district 1901—1909	Succeeded by Henry D. McCabe