Draft:George Lyons
 | This is a draft article. It is a work in progress open to editing by anyone. Please ensure core content policies are met before publishing it as a live Wikipedia article. Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by RichBot (talk | contribs) 39 days ago. (Update)
Finished drafting? or |
George Lyons | |
|---|---|
| Born | George Lyons June 15, 1823 County Donegal, Ireland |
| Died | March 10, 1908 (aged 84) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Pioneer Park (San Diego) 32°44′57″N 117°10′39″W / 32.7492°N 117.1776°W |
| Known for | Sheriff of San Diego County; civic leader; early settler of San Diego |
| Spouse | Bernarda de Billar |
| Relatives | William J. Lyons (son), Jayme Lyons (son) |
| Police career | |
| Law enforcement service | San Diego County Sheriff's Department |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Department | San Diego County |
| Service years | 1858–1861 |
| Status | Deceased |
| Rank | Sheriff |
| Other work | Carpenter; merchant; city trustee; postmaster; blacksmith; militia member; railroad director |
George Lyons (June 15, 1823 – March 10, 1908) was an Irish-born American pioneer, merchant, blacksmith, and civic leader whom served two terms as the seventh, sheriff of San Diego County, (1858–1861).
Early life
[edit]Lyons was born in County Donegal, Ireland, to Alexander Lyons and Catherine Kilpatrick. He emigrated with his family to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1840. He later worked as a carpenter and served aboard a whaling vessel along the Northwest Coast before arriving in San Diego in 1847.[1][2]
Arrival and early roles in San Diego
[edit]Upon arrival, he listed his occupation as “Trader” in the 1850 U.S. Census That year, he also served on a Masonic committee honoring Ephraim W. Morse, who later played a role in bringing the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to town and helped envision Balboa Park.
Marriage and family
[edit]Lyons married Bernarda de Billar in 1850 at Mission San Diego de Alcalá in Old Town. She was the daughter of Lieutenant Billar, a former commandant of the Presidio of San Diego. The couple had ten children.[3]
Business and public service
[edit]From 1851 to 1858, Lyons operated a general store in Old Town. His public roles included:[3]
- Postmaster (1853–1854)
- City trustee (1853–1855)
- County supervisor and treasurer for Old Town’s board of trustees (1853)
He was a board member of the San Diego & Gila Railroad project (1854) and joined the San Diego Guard militia in 1856.
Sheriff of San Diego County
[edit]Lyons became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1857. When rumors of his foreign status circulated, Lyons publicly denounced them in the San Diego Herald on August 28, 1857. That year he was elected sheriff and tax collector for San Diego County, serving until 1861.[3]
Later life
[edit]The 1860 census recorded his personal estate at $1,000 and listed him as a mechanic, blacksmith, and wheelwright. He died on March 10, 1908, in San Diego and was buried at Calvary Cemetery.[3]
External links
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "History of San Diego, 1542-1908". San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "George Lyons". San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "https://sandiegosheriffsmuseum.org/sheriffs/sheriff-george-lyons/". San Diego Sheriff's Museum. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title=