Leonardo Cota

Leonardo Cota (1816–1887) was the son of Alta California ranchero owner, Pueblo Los Angeles "First Commissioner", Guillermo Cota, and a grandson of famed Spanish colonial soldier, Pablo Antonio Cota.

Early years

Cota was born in Spanish Colonial Mexico.Being the son of a prominent californio rancho family, he courted and married Maria Rosa Yorba, daughter of californio (Mexican) rancho owner, Don Jose Antonio Yorba. This marriage would be part of a multi-alliance of Rancho and Pueblo families that lived and thrived during the Great Rancho-Pueblo Days of California.

Pueblo Los Angeles

It was around the plasarita canyon gold discovery of 1842, he was a clerk-registrar at Pueblo Los Angeles, under the services of Governor and cousin, Pio Pico, who would be known as the last governor of Alta-California under Mexican rule. During this time, Pio Pico speculated on the success of the gold strike, and made Pueblo Los Angeles, the regional capitol of Alta-California.

Mexican–American War

At the start of The Mexican–American War, he enlisted with The Californios, along with his cousin, Andres Pico, the brother of Governor Pico. Together, both would reach the rank of Captain, but due to the influence of Pico's brother, Andres would be raised to the rank of General in charge of The Californio-Mexican Army. Being good with weapons on horseback, he would command The Calofornio-Mexican Lancers. In the many battles he participated in Alta-California, he would be historically well remembered for his role at The Battle of San Pasqual , where he and his well-trained men were practicing in the San Pasqual Valley, and was discovered by a small band of U.S. Army soldiers overlooking the valley. When the desert marched weary soldiers of General Stephen Watts Kearny came over the hill into the valley to engage him and his men, they underestimated the swift and well-trained ability of "Capitan Cota's Lancers", and were routed. With the additional quick response of General Pico's army, they forced Kearny and his men toward what is today called Mule Hill, where a standoff ensued. Days later, Capt. Cota, and Pico's army withdrew due to strong U.S. Army re-enforcements, heading North to San Pasqual Valley from San Diego.

Citizen Cota

After the Mexican American War, and The California Republic becoming part of The United States, he acquired additional land in California, and continued to play a prominent position in Pueblo Los Angeles. In the early 1850s when The City of Los Angeles and The County of Los Angeles were incorporated, he became one of its first early five Los Angeles County Supervisors in 1853.

Later years

He would later live and retire at his adobe homestead in what is known today as The City of Covina, California. In 1850, he would be one of the founders of The City of Santa Ana, California in Orange County. He died in Southern California in 1887.