Alexander MacWilliam, Sr.

Alexander Duncan MacWilliam, Sr.
4th, 7th and 9th Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida
In office
December 15, 1927  December 10, 1935
Preceded by Bayard Redstone
Succeeded by Anthony W. Young
In office
December 13, 1939  December 11, 1947
Preceded by Wiley F. Cox
Succeeded by Merrill P. Barber
In office
December 14, 1949  October 16, 1951
Preceded by Merrill P. Barber
Succeeded by Louis G. Burger
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Indian River County
In office
1933–1935
Preceded by Charles A. Mitchell
Succeeded by Eli C. Walker
In office
1945–1953
Preceded by J. Hubert Graves
Succeeded by Sherman N. Smith, Jr.
Personal details
Born (1891-05-25)May 25, 1891[1]
Edinburgh, Scotland[2]
Died August 1966[3]
Indian River County, Florida
Resting place Crestlawn Cemetery,
Vero Beach, Florida[3]
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Delia Jeanette Flaherty MacWilliam[3] (m. April 26, 1920)[4]
Children Alexander, Peter, Robert, Edgar, William, Helen, Joan, Barbara[3]
Residence Vero Beach, Florida
Occupation landscape architect[5]
Awards

Purple Heart[5]

Distinguished Service Cross[5]
Military service
Service/branch United States Army
Unit 313th Machine Gun Battalion[2]
Battles/wars

World War I

Alexander Duncan "Mac" MacWilliam, Sr. (May 25, 1891 – August 1966) was the mayor of Vero Beach, Florida from 1927 to 1935, from 1939 to 1947, and from 1949 to 1951, he also served in the Florida House of Representatives from Indian River County in the 1933, 1945, 1947, 1949 and 1951 sessions.

Life

MacWilliam was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 18.[2]

During World War I, serving at the Battle of Meuse-Argonne, MacWilliam was shot in both legs while rescuing a trapped and wounded soldier.[2] He was also the victim of a mustard gas attack, and suffered continuing health problems because of it.[5] His doctor mentioned to him that he was investing in land in Florida, and MacWilliam decided to join him.[5] In 1919, he moved from Ohio to Vero Beach, and he went on to supervise the construction of the golf course at Riomar.[5] He met Jeanette Flaherty at the golf course, and married her in 1920.[5]

In 1927, he was elected mayor. He supported the proposal to split off Indian River County from St. Lucie County.[5] MacWilliam established the Indian River Mosquito Control Board, and introduced height restrictions on buildings.[5]

Legacy

References

  1. "United States Social Security Death Index," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JPLC-G3R : accessed 16 Apr 2013), Alexander Macwilliam, August 1966.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Vero Beach Magazine - Mayor Mac
  3. 1 2 3 4 Find A Grave
  4. "Florida, Marriages, 1837-1974," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FW47-SXH : accessed 16 Apr 2013), Alexander Macwilliam and Delia Jeanette Flaherty, 26 Apr 1920.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vero Beach Magazine
  6. Indian River Golf Foundation
Preceded by
Bayard Redstone
Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida
December 15, 1927–December 10, 1935
Succeeded by
Anthony W. Young
Preceded by
Wiley F. Cox
Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida
December 13, 1939–December 11, 1947
Succeeded by
Merrill P. Barber
Preceded by
Merrill P. Barber
Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida
December 13, 1949–October 16, 1951
Succeeded by
Louis G. Burger
Preceded by
Charles A. Mitchell
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Indian River County
1933–1935
Succeeded by
Eli C. Walker
Preceded by
J. Hubert Graves
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Indian River County
1945–1953
Succeeded by
Sherman N. Smith, Jr.
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