Alexander MacWilliam Sr. - Misplaced Pages

(Redirected from Alexander MacWilliam, Sr.) American politician

Alexander MacWilliam Sr.
MacWilliam in 1933

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 Edinburgh, Scotland
Died	August 13, 1966 Indian River County, Florida
Resting place	Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach, Florida
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Delia Jeanette Flaherty MacWilliam (m. April 26, 1920)
Children	Alexander, Peter, Robert, Edgar, William, Helen, Joan, Barbara
Residence(s)	Vero Beach, Florida
Occupation	landscape architect
Awards	Purple Heart Distinguished Service Cross
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Unit	313th Machine Gun Battalion
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of Meuse-Argonne

Alexander Duncan "Mac" MacWilliam Sr. (May 25, 1891 – August 13, 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.

During World War I, serving with the 313th Machine Gun Battalion, 80th Division at the Battle of Meuse-Argonne, MacWilliam was shot in both legs while rescuing a trapped and wounded soldier. He was also the victim of a mustard gas attack, and suffered continuing health problems because of it. His doctor mentioned to him that he was investing in land in Florida, and MacWilliam decided to join him. In 1919, he moved from Ohio to Vero Beach, and he went on to supervise the construction of the golf course at Riomar. He met Jeanette Flaherty at the golf course, and married her in 1920.

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

Legacy

The Indian River Golf Foundation awards the Alex MacWilliam Sr. Trophy in memory of MacWilliam annually.

References

"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.
^ Vero Beach Magazine - Mayor Mac
^ Find A Grave
"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.
^ "Vero Beach Magazine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-27. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
"Distinguished Service". GoodWarGreatMen.com.
Indian River Golf Foundation

Preceded byBayard Redstone	Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida December 15, 1927–December 10, 1935	Succeeded byAnthony W. Young
Preceded byWiley F. Cox	Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida December 13, 1939–December 11, 1947	Succeeded byMerrill P. Barber
Preceded byMerrill P. Barber	Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida December 13, 1949–October 16, 1951	Succeeded byLouis G. Burger
Preceded byCharles A. Mitchell	Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Indian River County 1933–1935	Succeeded byEli C. Walker
Preceded byJ. Hubert Graves	Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Indian River County 1945–1953	Succeeded bySherman N. Smith Jr.

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