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Doctor George McKinstry, San Diego County Sheriff and Dentist

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Photo by A.L. Pellegrin, 1880

Dr. George McKinstry (1810 - 1882) made the journey from Missouri to California in 1847 and was the first American sheriff, serving in Sacramento and assisting with rescuing the Donner party. He arrived in San Diego in 1858 and was involved in many things - a Republican politician, dentist, physician, sheriff of San Diego, and a reporter for the San Diego Herald. He maintained a daily diary which chronicled his life in San Diego. The diaries are now held by the San Diego Historical Society. (Photo by A.L. Pellegrin)

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