George Lyons
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George Lyons | |
|---|---|
| Add a Photo George Lyons, Sheriff of San Diego County (1858–1861) | |
| 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(s) | Bernarda de Billar |
| 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
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
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.
Lyons married Bernarda de Billar in 1850 at Mission San Diego de Alcalá in Old Town. She was the daughter of, a former commandant of the Presidio of San Diego. The couple had ten children.
From 1851 to 1858, Lyons operated a general store in Old Town. His public roles included:
- Postmaster (1853–1854)
- City trustee (1853–1855)
- County supervisor and treasurer for Old Town’s board of trustees (1853)
Sheriff of San Diego County
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.
References
- ↑ "History of San Diego, 1542-1908". San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
- ↑ "George Lyons". San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
External links
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