Background
Juan María Osuna was born 1785 in California to Juan Hismerio Osuna and Maria Alvarado.
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Juan Osuna
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He was a soldier and corporal of the San Diego Company and settled in San Diego. Juan María Osuna was District elector in 1830 and took part in the Mexican Revolution of 1831. After retiring as a corporal, Osuna and his family were the first to build on the plain outside the Presidio of San Diego.
In 1833, with five other male citizens, Osuna urged the governor to establish a pueblo (town) government for San Diego, to replace 60-some years of military rule.
On January 1, 1835, this came to reality and Osuna was elected the first Alcade of San Diego pueblo. Lieutenant Santiago Argüello, the last Commandant of San Diego Presidio gave Osuna his staff of office, symbolizing the transfer of government from the military to civilian self-rule.
He defeated Pío Pico by 13 votes. Pico later became the last Mexican governor of Alta California.
Osuna also served as juez de pas (justice of the peace) 1839-1840 and 1846.
On February 15, 1806 Juan María Osuna married María Juliana Josepha Lopez, who was born March 16, 1791 to Juan Francisco Lopez, of the Portolà Expedition) and María Feliciana Arballo de Gutierrez. Juan María Osuna was granted Rancho San Dieguito, 25 miles (40 km) north of San Diego along the coast, during 1836–1845. He raised cattle and horses on the ranch.
Osuna had a weakness in gambling and had to sell some of his land to pay off his debts.
Today Rancho San Dieguito is known as Rancho Santa Fe, an exclusive residential area. Juan María Osuna"s adobe, overlooking the San Dieguito River Valley, has been restored and is part of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.
During the Mexican-American War Juan María Osuna remained loyal to Mexico. His last years were difficult under United States. rule as he didn"t speak English and was unfamiliar with United States. law and customs.
Osuna died 1851, and is buried in El Campo Santo Catholic Cemetery in Old Town San Diego.
A modern headstone reads "Juan Maria Osuna Died 1851 First Alcalde Of San Diego".
