William Alexander

Cyrus' eldest son William began to prepare to take over the ranch and to manage his father's business affairs. After Cyrus' second stroke in 1866 more responsibility than ever fell on his shoulders. Misfortune seemed to be stalking Cyrus now, as he watched his son, William, slowly waste away from tuberculosis. In a last desperate attempt to cure him Cyrus put William on a ship bound for Hawaii. His oldest son died aboard ship on August 16, 1867, just two weeks shy of his 22nd birthday.