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.
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 | May 25, 1891[1] Edinburgh, Scotland[2] |
| Died | August 13, 1966[3] Indian River County, Florida |
| Resting place | Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach, Florida[3] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Delia Jeanette Flaherty MacWilliam[3] (m. April 26, 1920)[4] |
| Children | Alexander, Peter, Robert, Edgar, William, Helen, Joan, Barbara[3] |
| Residence(s) | Vero Beach, Florida |
| Occupation | landscape architect[5] |
| Awards | Purple Heart[5] Distinguished Service Cross[5] |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Unit | 313th Machine Gun Battalion[2] |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Life
editMacWilliam was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 18.[2]
During World War I, serving with the 313th Machine Gun Battalion, 80th Division[6] 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
edit- The Indian River Golf Foundation awards the Alex MacWilliam Sr. Trophy in memory of MacWilliam annually.[7]
References
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c d Vero Beach Magazine - Mayor Mac
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "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