"Pio Pico de Jesus"(May 5,1881-September 11,1894)

Was the lat governor of  Mexican California (Now the state of California) under Mexican rule.He

was of African,Native American and Spanish ancestry.He was born in San Gabriel and resided there until his father's death in 1819; he then moved to San Diego.He married Maria Ignacia Alvarado on February 24, 1834.In 1821 set up a tanning nut and dram shop in in Los Angeles,selling drinks for two Spanish bits (US 25 cents).His business soon became a significant source of his income.John Bidwell,an early California settler,mentioned him among the people he knew:"Los Angeles i first saw in March,1845.It then had probably two hundred and fifty, people,of whom i recall Don Abel Steams,John Temple, Captain Alexander Bell,William,Lemuel Carpenter,David W. Alexander;also  of Mexicans,Pio Pico (governor),Don Juan Bandini,and others.By 1850s Pio was one of the riches men in Alta California.In 1850 he purchased the 8,894-acre (3,599 ha)Rancho Paso de Bartolo,which include half present day Whittier.Two years later,he built a home on the ranch and lived there until 1892.It is preserved today as Pio Pico State Historic Park.Pio also owned the former Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana,Rancho Santa Margarita yLas Flores (now part of Camp Pendleton),and several other ranchos for a total of over one half-million acres.In 1868,Pio constructed the three story,33 Rome,Pio House (Casa de Pico) on the old plaza of Los Angeles, opposite today's Olvera Street.At the end of its opening in 1869,it was the most lavish hotel in in Southern California.Even before 1900,it began a slow decline along with the surround neighborhood,as the business center moved further south.After decades of serving as a shaddy flop, house,it was deeded to the state of California in 1953,and is now part of EL Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Monument.It is used on occasion for exhibits and special events.He served twice as Governor of  Alta California,taking office from Manuel Victoria in 1832,when Victoria was deposed for refusing to following through with orders to secularize the mission properties.As governor pro tempore and Vocal of the Department Assembly,Pico began secularization.After 20 days in office,he transferred the government to Zamorano and Echeandia,who were appointed to govern the north and south,respectively.Pio ran for office as the first alcalde (magistrate)of San Diego,but was defeated.He challenged Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado (1836-1842) on political issues was imprisoned on several occasions.In 1844 he was chosen as a leader of the California Assembly.In 1845,Pio he appointed as governor,succeeding the unpopular Manuel Micheltorena.He made Los Angeles the province's captain.In the year leading up to Mexican-American War,Governor Pico was outspoken in favor of California's becoming a British Protectorate rather than an American territory.