Career
Francis Mellus, born in Salem, Massachusetts, was a younger brother of Henry Mellus. Francis Mellus bought hides for this company along the coast of, taking the goods by sailing ship to San Diego, where they were dried, and when a sufficient quantity was collected to fill a trading ship, usually took a couple of years" time, Mellus sent the goods to the East Coast. Los Angeles
After 11 years of that work he came to Los Angeles, where he entered the general merchandise business with David West. Alexander, under the firm name of Alexander & Mellus.
James J. Mellus was the son of Francis Mellus.
Francis Mellus was elected to the Los Angeles Common Council, the governing body of the city, on 1 May 1854. He was chosen to be council president
Mellus resigned from the council on 8 December 1854. In 1858 he was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
