McAleer. A funeral service was held under the auspices of B.P.O.E, Lodge 99, with cremation following. Vocation Private business After McAleer's father died, "There was no money for schooling and Owen began his business career as a small boy in the boiler works of W. B. Pollock." McAleer built the first steam boiler in Los Angeles. He became superintendent of the boiler works of the pioneer Baker Iron Works, resigning in September 1905 after he had become mayor. He then organized the Republic Iron & Steel Co., with Nat Wilshire. McAleer was vice president and general manager. After leaving the mayor's office, he returned to private business, retiring in 1914 when Republic Iron & Steel was dissolved. Government service He was on a committee to investigate the feasibility of bringing water from the Owens River to Los Angeles and was a member of the committee that obtained the first land options in the Owens River Valley that led the project's fulfillment. He was a City Council member from the 1st Ward in 1902–04, mayor in 1904-06 and on the Board of Public Works in 1916–20. As mayor he was credited with establishing the first municipal playground — on Violet Street. McAleer was elected mayor on the Republican ticket on December 5, 1904, ousting Meredith P. Snyder, a Democrat. Among his accomplishments was the purchase of Sycamore Grove Park by the city. References Chronological Record of Los Angeles City Officials: 1850—1938, Compiled under Direction of Municipal Reference Library City Hall, Los Angeles March 1938 (Reprinted 1966) Further reading An Ohio man reflects upon McAleer when he was a youth. Mayors of Los Angeles Los Angeles City Council members 1858 births 1944 deaths Pre-Confederation Canadian emigrants to the United States Burials at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery