Don Benito Wilson: Mountain Man to Mayor

Pasadena Now has a short book review on the history of what sounds like an interesting man:

In Don Benito Wilson: Mountain Man to Mayor, author Nat Read tells the story of the West and Los Angeles through a single notable figure, Don Benito Wilson, who was born during the lifetimes of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and who died in a Los Angeles that present-day citizens would begin to recognize. Mr. Read reveals the amazing tale of the “pioneer, beaver trapper and trader, grizzly bear hunter, Indian fighter, justice of the peace, farmer, rancher, politician, horticulturist, vintner, real estate entrepreneur, and one of the great landholders in Southern California.” He faced near death experiences with Indians, grizzlies, and a firing squad. Mount Wilson was named after him...