David Levy Yulee (1810-1886) built Florida’s first cross-state railroad and became the state’s first U.S. Senator after coming to Florida as an immigrant and rising to prominence as a businessman and statesman. He served in Florida’s territorial council, as territorial delegate to Congress, and helped write the state’s first constitution. His sugar mill began operations in 1849, and during the Civil War he supplied the Confederates with sugar, syrup, and molasses. Federal raiders burned the Yulee home on May 29, 1864, but the mill and plantation escaped destruction.