Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848

William A. Leidesdorff, early California trader and official, was born in the Danish West Indies of a Danish father and mulatto mother. In 1841 he came to California as master of the ship "Julia Ann." He engaged in trade between Hawaii and San Francsico, and afterwards began a general exporting business in San Francisco. Leidesdorff became a Mexican citizen in 1844 and received a grant for Rancho Rio de los Americanos, east of Fort Sutter. The next year he was appointed vice-consul of the United States, and remained prominent in the affairs of San Francisco until his death in 1848.

William Alexander Leidesdorff was born in the Danish West Indies in 1810. He came to California in 1841 as captain of the schooner Julia Ann. Engaged in trading between California and Hawaii, he had settled in Yerba Buena by 1845. He became a Mexican citizen, and acquired the Rio de los Americanos rancho near Sacramento. Buying up property in Yerba Buena, he built a warehouse and the City Hotel here, and had bought a home by 1847. He served as U.S. vice-consul under Thomas Larkin, beginning 1845, and launched the first steamer to sail San Francisco bay, the Sitka (later, the schooner Rainbow). Besides becoming one of the town's most prominent merchants, he served on the Town Council, as Treasurer, and as a School Committee member. He died of typhus May 18, 1848 in San Francisco, and his estate, thought encumbered by debt, increased greatly in value following the gold discovery. William D. M. Howard was named administrator of Leidesdorff's estate in 1848, then removed from that position the following year; Joseph L. Folsom then searched out heirs and purchased title to the Leidesdorff estate, becoming one of the wealthiest men in San Francisco.

Stephen Smith was a sea captain from Mass. who owned a ranch with a sawmill and lumber trade at Bodega, Calif.