Preceded by Bayard Redstone Preceded by Merrill P. Barber Succeeded by Merrill P. Barber Political party Democratic Party | Preceded by Wiley F. Cox Name Alexander Sr. Succeeded by Anthony W. Young Succeeded by Louis G. Burger | |
Died August 1966, Indian River County, Florida, United States Residence Vero Beach, Florida, United States Battles and wars World War I, Battle of Verdun Similar People Robert Nivelle, Philippe Petain, Wilhelm - German Crown Pri, Erich von Falkenhayn | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
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.
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Life
MacWilliam was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 18.
During World War I, serving 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.