Benjamin Davis Wilson

Common card · No. 468800

Benjamin Davis Wilson (December 1, 1811 – March 11, 1878), commonly known as Don Benito Wilson, was an American-Mexican politician, fur trapper, and ranchero of California. Born in Tennessee to parents from Virginia, Wilson eventually settled in Alta California when it was part of the Republic of Mexico, and acquired Rancho Jurupa. He became a naturalized Mexican citizen and married into a prominent Californio family. Following the American Conquest of California, Wilson acquired considerable other property, some from Mexicans struggling to retain their land grants. Having served on the Common Council of Los Angeles, he later was elected to a term as the second mayor of the city after California was admitted as a state.

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