Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Captain Alexander Bell
 
Captain Alexander Bell was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, January 9, 
1801.  In 1823 he went to the city of Mexico, and engaged in trade in different 
parts of the Republic, about nineteen years.  He came via Guaymas and Mazatlan 
to San Pedro, California, in 1842.  He followed mercantile pursuits in Los 
Angeles from 1842 until 1856.  He built the extensive block fronting on Los 
Angeles and Aliso streets; formerly known as �Bell�s Row,� and for many years 
lived in the upper story of the same.  In 1856 Captain Bell was one of the 
Republican Presidential electors for California.  In 1844 he married Dofia 
Nieves Guirado, who still survives him.  They had no children.  During the epoch 
of the change of governments, Bell joined an American military company, of which 
he came Captain.  He was with Captain Mervine in the engagement with Carillo and 
Flores near the Lugo Ranch.  He and his company went to San Diego afterward; and 
a portion of his men returning with Captain Hensley�s force, took part in the 
affairs of the �San Bartolo� and the �Mesa.�  The members of his company who 
came up from San Diego, attached to Captain Hensley�s command, were, among 
others: V. Prudhom, H. C. Cardwell, Jose Mascarel, John Behn, Daniel Sexton and 
John Reed.  Captain Bell died July 24, 1871.  In his will he appointed Governor 
J. G. Downey, S. Lazard and H. D. Barrows administrators of his estate.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California � Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Co., 1889 � Pages 384 & 385 
Transcribed by Pat Houser, May 25, 2006