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ALEJO
DE LA GARZA
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The picture (taken September 1889) is of Alejo
de la Garza (1836-1900) and Macedonia Palacios
(1839-1915). They were husband and wife and
lived in what is now Brooks County, Texas.
Alejo was born in Victoria, Texas sometime
after the Texas War for Independence. His
Father, Jose Julian de la Garza y Guerra was
killed by Indians on his Rancho in June of
1836 and his mother died during his birth.
My research on Alejo has still not told me
where he went and who cared for him after
his parents both died. The main body of the
original Mexican settlers of Victoria ( the
De Leon, Benavides and de la Garza Families)
traveled to Louisana after Texas independence
because of anglo Texian deprediatons upon
the Mexican populace. |
Their
lands were taken over during these dangerous
times and with the change in government
it was convenient for the authorities to
claim the lands that had been settled by
the founders of Victoria Colony. There were
two possibilites of what could have happened
to the Alejo, one is that he went to Louisana
with the Victoria group and the other is
that he went south to the Camargo, Tamaulipas
area to be with his older half sisters.
One of them, Antonia de la Garza previously
married to Agapito De Leon and later married
to a prominent citizen of Camargo, Matias
Ramirez could have cared for him to adulthood.
Later we know from early Starr County records
and later Brooks County records as it was
formed that he settled in the Falfurrias,
Texas area. Land was purchased to raise
stock and a way station built to serve travelers
between the salt mines near Falfurrias and
Mier, Camargo area. Land holdings were purchased
from the original grantees and a sizeable
ranch was built. There is evidence that
Alejo borrowed money from English sources
that were lending funds in the area. His
family and workers are listed in the U.S.
census of 1870, 1880 and 1900. Alejo is
buried in the family cemetery on what was
his rancho, "Los Tajitos" and his wife Macedonia
is buried in San Diego, Texas.
Amado de la
Garza's oldest daughter, Alicia de la Garza,
married Maximo Perez. Maximo Perez's maternal
grandfather was Manuel Garcia Garcia and
his paternal Great Grandfather was Inocente
Perez. Manuel Garcia was originally from
Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico and settled
in Concepcion, Texas. Manuel established
a ranch by purchasing land and raised cattle
and sheep. His cattle and sheep brands were
registered in San Diego, Texas on June 12,
1878. The above link will show what they
registered.
A footnote added
from the above note as to Alejo's growing
up years after both of his parents died
is a message sent to me by a fellow researcher,
Homero Vera of the El Mesteno Magazine.
Homero published in his magazine the story
of Alejo and gave a copy to Don Ernesto
Garza Saenz, El Cronista de Camargo, Tamaulipas.
After reading the story, Don Ernesto related
to Homero Vera, that his ancestor and brother
of Julian, Apolinario de la Garza raised
Alejo and his brother to adulthood.
In Julian's will it does state that Apolinario
is executor of his brother's estate.
This will lay to rest where Alejo was raised
until he married and moved to the Falfurrias
- Concepcion, Texas area until better facts
are found.
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The family grave site on Los Tajitos Ranch where Alejo,
3 of his children and his in-laws
are buried.
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The restored way station on the Los Tajitos
Ranch.
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Alejo's son, Amado de la Garza and his wife Maria
Gutierrez
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Seabury Papers
The Family tree was compiled
by the attorney Francis Seabury during 1900
on Julian de la Garza y Guerra and his brothers.
It lists Alejo and his family in the entry
compiled from records of The Seabury Papers
from the University of Texas Collection
at the Eugene C. Barker Library in Austin,
Texas. SEABURY PAPERS P. 316 FAMILY TREE
OF JULIAN de la GARZA GUERRA Julián de la
Garza was owner of Porcion 84 and 1/5th
of Porcion 85. His brothers Gregorio Apolinaro,
Manuel, and Antonio de la Garza were owners
of 4/5ths of Porcion 85, jurisdiction of
Camargo. Porcion 84 had Ventura Vela as
original grantee and it was sold to his
son Refugio Vela who sold it to Julián de
la Garza on May 26, 1818. The heirs of latter
have said they still own same. Julián left
a will done November 7, 1825 in which he
states his 1st wife died March 14,1822 and
that this property was aquired during that
marriage. Sets out names of 1st 9 children
( another child of 1st marriage, María Eugenia
died an infant) as below, others born since
will made see p. 366 for his ancestry. Declares
that his 1st wife was a daughter of Richard
Vela and María Josefa García and that his
second wife was a daughter of José Ignacio
de Benavides and María Matiana de Villareal.
Famiy
Tree File
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