George Henry Carson

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George Cady Carson (1832–1901) was a merchant, road builder, rancher and member of the Los Angeles, California, Common Council in the 1850s.

Personal

Carson was born in

Saint Charles, Illinois.[1]

On July 30, 1857, he married Maria Victoria Dominguez (April 27, 1842 – December 18, 1916), the daughter of Manuel Dominguez and Maria Engracia Cota.[2][3] Their sons were John Manuel, George Henry Jr., Edward Albert, Christobal José, William Christobal, Joseph Noel and David Victor and they had eight daughters — Anna Francisca, Maria Engracia, Amelia Magdalena, Victoria Lenora, Virginia Adelaida, Maria Victoria (died same day as born), Ellen Victoria (died 1 day after birth) and Lucy Susana. He had a brother, Henry.[4][5][6]

He died November 20, 1901. In religion, Carson was a

Catholic.[1]

Career

Military

Carson enlisted at the age of fourteen as a "soldier, drummer and bugler" to serve in the Mexican War in a regiment of Illinois volunteers. and was mustered out in Santa Fe.[1]

Commercial and ranching

After he left the Army, Carson became a trader in Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory, and south into Mexico.

He moved to

Los Angeles, California in 1853.[1]

In 1854, the

Carson owned a

William T.B. Sanford. He sold his share in 1862 to take on the management of the Rancho San Pedro, and then Dominguez Rancho section of it, in southwestern Los Angeles County. Carson began "stock raising and ranching on a large scale." One project was in partnership with prominent Southern California banker and investor Isaias W. Hellman.[1][6][8]

Public service

Carson was Los Angeles County

public administrator for twelve years, beginning in 1855.[1][6] In a special election on December 27, 1856, he became a member of the Los Angeles Common Council, the governing body of the city. He served until January 19, 1858.[9]

Legacy

The city of Carson, California, was named in honor of George Carson. His descendants formed the Carson Estate Company, which later became the Carson Companies.[8]

References

Notes