José Darío Argüello (1753–1828) was a Spanish soldier and California pioneer, and twice governor of California.
José Darío Argüello was born in Santiago de Querétaro, New Spain (modern-day Mexico).
Argüello enlisted in the Mexico regiment of dragoons, serving as a private, and later sergeant of the presidial company of Altar, Sonora. In 1781 he was promoted to alférez (sub-lieutenant) and commandant for what was to become the Presidio of Santa Ba...
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José Darío Argüello (1753–1828) was a Spanish soldier and California pioneer, and twice governor of California.
José Darío Argüello was born in Santiago de Querétaro, New Spain (modern-day Mexico).
Argüello enlisted in the Mexico regiment of dragoons, serving as a private, and later sergeant of the presidial company of Altar, Sonora. In 1781 he was promoted to alférez (sub-lieutenant) and commandant for what was to become the Presidio of Santa Barbara. He marched with Fernando Rivera y Moncada, who was killed by Yuman Indians, and continued on to Mission San Gabriel. Under orders from governor Felipe de Neve, Argüello led the first 10 families into Los Angeles and founded the city on September 4, 1781. He continued on to Santa Barbara when the presidio was founded in 1782. In 1787, Argüello was appointed lieutenant and commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco, serving until 1791 and again from 1796 to 1806, and commandant of the Presidio of Monterey from 1791 to 1796.
After the...
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