Portrait of Don Juan Bandini and his daughter. Don Juan, son of Don Jose, settled in San Diego in 1822. Don Juan soon commenced to take an active part in public affairs, being a member of the Territorial Assembly in 1827; a Commissioner of Revenue at San Diego during succeeding years; a leader in the insurrection of 1831 which drove Gov. Victoria out of the country; a member of Congress in the City of Mexico in 1833, returning as Vice-President of the Hijar and Padres Colonization and Commercial Company and Inspector of Customs for California. He was made administrator of San Gabriel Mission in 1838, the same year receiving the grant of Jurupa Rancho, covering the present site of Riverside. Don Juan was an active supporter of the American forces in the days of Stockton and Fremont. The first American flag in California was made by his second wife, Don~a Refugio, she using strips from the clothing of her daughters. In 1847 he was a member of the Legislative Council, and the next year Alcalde of San Diego. He was fluent of speech and pen, efficient and honest in his many public offices, beloved by countless friends, both native and foreign, and left many valuable historical documents.
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