Alejandro Luna

The Alejandro Luna Family History
A Documented Research Report by Bob Wirt
Version 4, Revised August 1, 2012

NOTE: Something new has been introduced in this report. When the text refers to an event (e.g., a marriage) for which an associated document is available, a link will be provided to that document. If you see a word or words in bold text and underlined, just double click on it. For example, in the first paragraph you will see "Alejandro married Antonia". Click on "married" to see the document. To return to the main report, simply click the back arrow (usually in the upper left of your computer screen).

Antonia, holding Candido, Rebeca, Alejandro circa 1906

Alejandro Luna was born in Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico on February 11, 1858, the third of eight children born to Luis Luna and Refugia Hernandez. He was baptized in El Sagrario, Chihuahua on February 14, 1858. He immigrated to the United States in 1879. On September 25, 1883 Alejandro married Antonia Lujan in Presidio, Texas. She was born in 1863 in Presidio, the daughter of Pascasio Lujan and Dominga Olivas. Alejandro and Antonia were married by Father Jose Hoban from St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Davis. Their witnesses were Pedro and Andrea González.

In 1900 Alejandro and Antonia and their family were living in Presidio, where Alejandro was working as a teamster. By 1907 they had moved to the Terlingua area and in 1910 Alejandro was working as a cobbler, according to the census. From 1916 to 1919 he hauled freight for the Study Butte Mining Company, and in 1918 he sold fuel wood to the same company. His income for this period was quite substantial for the time and place.
           From September through December 1916 he hauled 11.6 tons of freight, earning $116.00.
           From January through June 1917 he hauled 81.6 tons of freight, earning $816.27.
          From February through December 1918 he hauled 62.3 tons of freight, earning $788.60.
          From August through November 1918 he sold 32 cords of fuel wood for $320.00.
           From January through March 1919 he earned $443.90 for hauling freight.

The Study Butte mine closed in May 1919, but Alejandro and his family were still in the area when the census was taken in March of 1920, He was working as a butcher in a market at that time.

Later in 1920 Alejandro and his family moved to Alpine. In April, 1921 Antonia and Alejandro purchased 33 ½ acres of land between the railroad and I Street, near Holy Angels Cemetery, from Benjamin F. Berkeley. The purchase price of the property was $3,125.00. Alejandro was able to pay $1,500.00 of the purchase price in cash, very likely from money saved from his freighting activities in Study Butte. They agreed to pay $200.00 every six months ($225.00 on the final payment), plus interest until the property was completely paid off. This tract of land soon became known as the Luna Ranch, and is still remembered by that name by some local residents.

Rancho de los Lunas, Alpine. Texas

Alejandro died in Alpine of Bright’s Disease on November 18, 1927 and was buried in the Alpine Cemetery the next day. Antonia remained in Alpine. In September, 1940 she sold Luna Ranch to Malone V. Hill for $10.00 and “other good and valuable considerations”. She died in Alpine on February 18, 1943 and is buried next to Alejandro in the Alpine Cemetery.

Alejandro and Antonia had fifteen children:
1. Mariana "Concha" 1884, 2. Luis, 3. Lorenzo, 4. Guadalupe, 5. Candelario, 6. Manuel, 7. Alejandro, 8. Leo, 9. Rebeca, 10. Adan, 11. Jose, 12. Jesus, 13. Candido, 14. Anastacio, 15. Raul.

Click on the name of the child to go to their place in this document.

1.    Daughter Mariana “Concha” Luna was born July 26, 1884. She was baptized in Presidio August 9, 1884 by Father Jose
       Hoban from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Fort Davis. Her godparents were Melquiades Fierro and Dominga Olivas. She
       married twice. Her first husband was Manuel Carrasco and they had two children:
       A.   Daughter Refugia Carrasco.
       B.   Son Jose Manuel Carrasco was born in Terlingua September 11, 1910. He served in the U.S. Army from October 18,
              1943 through November 17, 1944, when he was honorably discharged. Later he lived in Lubbock, Texas where he
               worked as a cook in a restaurant. He died of pancreatic cancer in Methodist Hospital, Lubbock, August 27, 1977 and is
               buried in Resthaven Cemetery, Lubbock. He married Mercedes Luitt, daughter of Bernardo Martinez Luitt and Facunda
               Gallegos. Mercedes was born in Bronte, Texas October 3, 1927.

Jose Manuel Luna Carrasco

buried in Resthaven Cemetery, Lubbock. He married Mercedes Luitt, daughter of Bernardo Martinez Luitt and Facunda Gallegos. Mercedes was born in Bronte, Texas October 3, 1927.

Jose and Mercedes had nine children:
          (1) Son Jose “Joe” Carrasco, Jr. was born October 23, 1943.
          (2) Daughter Mary Ruth Carrasco was born August 26, 1945 in Plainview, Texas. She died January 24, 1946
                 in Plainview and is buried there.
          (3) Daughter Dominga Carrasco was born July 28, 1946 in Plainview. She married Elizardo Maldonado Valdez
   and they had two children:
                 a.    Daughter Michelle Valdez was born January 11, 1970 in Terry County. Her married name is Pitlik.
                 b.    Son Elizardo C. Valdez, Jr. was born May 8, 1971 in Terry County.
          (4) Son Jesse Carrasco was born July 4, 1948.
          (5) Son Juan Carrasco was born January 10, 1951.
          (6) Son Manuel Carrasco was born December 24, 1952.
          (7) Son Cecilio Carrasco was born September 23, 1956.
          (8) Son Roberto Carrasco.
          (9) Daughter Carolyn Carrasco.

Jose Carrasco and Sons, Lubbock, 1977
Left to right: Rear - Cecilio, Jesse, Jose Sr., Jose Jr.
Front - Manuel, Juan

Mariana "Concha" Luna's second husband was Joventino Armanta. They had two children.

A. Son Jesus Armanta married Nicanora (family name not available).
B. Daughter Ramona Armanta.

Jesus Armanta with his wife Nicanora

2. Son Luis Luna was born in 1884 or 1885 in Texas. He may have been a twin of Mariana. On April 14, 1918 he married

Hipolita Gallegos Luna

Hipolita Gallegos in Terlingua. They were married by Father Antonio Alonso from St. Agnes Catholic Church in Terlingua. Hipolita was the daughter of Gabriel Gallegos and Gregoria Franco. She died soon after the marriage.

In 1919 Luis married Herlinda Saiz in a civil ceremony. She was the daughter of Jesus Saiz and Hilaria Mendoza and was baptized in Ojinaga on November 15, 1906. Luis and Hilaria had their Catholic Church wedding ceremony in Terlingua de Abajo on January 7, 1922. The ceremony was performed by Father Max Weyert from St. Agnes Catholic Church in Terlingua and the witnesses were Victoriano Garcia and Remedios Duran. Luis and Herlinda had eight children:

A.   An unnamed daughter was born in Brewster County August 10, 1930.
B.   Daughter Louisa Luna was born in Brewster County September 27, 1933.
C.   Son Luis Luna, Jr. was born in Alpine September 30, 1936. He died of gastro enteritis in Alpine August 17, 1938 and
       was buried there the following day.
D.   Son Ramon Luna was born in Alpine November 27, 1938.
E.   Daughter Modesta Luna was born in Alpine February 24, 1941.
F.    Son Jose “Pepe” Luna.
G.   Daughter Carolina Luna.
H.   Son Lorenzo Luna.

3. Son Lorenzo Luna was born September 3, 1885 in Presidio and was baptized there September 11, 1885 by Father

Rosendo Castelo from the Ojinaga Parrish (b). In his baptism record his name is shown as Esteban Lorenzo Luna. His godparents were Bernabe Aguilar and Celsa Evaro. He married Maria Ontiveros, the daughter of E. Ontiveros and Wencelada Mena. Maria was born in Presidio March 29, 1888. In 1906 and 1909 they were living in the Terlingua area, but by 1920 Lorenzo and his family were in Alpine, where he was working as a cemetery caretaker. In 1930 he was working on a road construction crew and Maria was supplementing the family income by working as a laundress in her home. Lorenzo died in Alpine September 16, 1932 and was buried there the following day. Maria died of heart problems at her home in Alpine January 4, 1951 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Lorenzo and Maria had five children:

A. Daughter Cruz Luna was born October 22, 1906 in Terlingua and was baptized there January 13, 1907 by Father

Brocardus. Her godparents were Luis Baeza and Pomposa Dominguez. Cruz married Juan Subia in Alpine January 31, 1923. He was born in Shafter February 8, 1903. Juan was the son of Librado Subia and Angelita Luna and the brother of sister Valentina’s husband, Francisco. Cruz and Juan lived in Alpine, where he was employed as a laborer in a lumber yard. Juan died at his residence in Alpine August 3, 1951 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Cruz and Juan had two children. Cruz later married Esteban Rojo. She died of a stroke in Medical Center Hospital, Odessa, on August 18, 1964 and is buried in the Odessa Cemetery. The children of Cruz Luna and Juan Subia were:
(1). Daughter Juanita Subia was born in Alpine February 8, 1924.
(2). Son Librado Subia was born in Alpine October 21, 1928.

B.   Daughter Valentina Luna was born February 11, 1909 in Chisos and was baptized there May 11, 1909 by Father Brocardus. Her godfather was Atanacio Garcia (c). She married Francisco Subia December 2, 1943 in Alpine. They were married by Justice of the Peace R.C. Garnett. Francisco was born in Shafter August 21, 1906. He was the son of Librado Subia and Angelita Luna and was the brother of Cruz Luna’s first husband, Juan. Francisco was a U.S. military veteran of World War II. They lived in Alpine for most of their married lives, but eventually moved to Odessa. He died in Medical Center Hospital in Odessa of a brain tumor on March 29, 1953. She died in Medical Center Hospital of cardiac arrest on December 29, 1973. Both are buried in the Odessa Cemetery. Valentina and Francisco had seven children. At least five were born before they were married:
               (1)  Son Manuel Luna Subia was born July 19, 1930 in Brewster County. He married Maria Luisa “Mary Lou” Juarez in Brewster County January 20, 1951 and they had eight children:
                     a.    Son Alfonso Subia was born November 28, 1951 in Brewster County.
                   b.    Son Armando Subia was born April 29, 1953 in Brewster County.
                     c.    Son Arturo Subia was born July 12, 1954 in Odessa.
                     d.    Daughter Melba Ann Subia was born September 16, 1955 in Odessa.
                     e.    Son Jimmy Lee Subia was born August 15, 1957 in Odessa.
                     f.     Son Adrian Subia, twin of Armida, was born May 29, 1961 in Odessa.
                   g.    Daughter Armida Subia, twin of Adrian, was born May 29, 1961 in Odessa.
                    h.    Son Adan Subia was born October 27, 1963 in Odessa.
               (2) Daughter Celia Subia was born in Alpine September 7, 1931.
               (3) Daughter Esperanza Subia was born August 31, 1932 in Alpine.
               (4) Son Ramon Subia was born September 1, 1936 in Alpine.
               (5) Son Lorenzo Subia was born November 20, 1943 in Alpine.
               (6) Daughter Estela Subia was born May 4, 1945 in Alpine.
               (7) Son Francisco “Frank” Subia, Jr. was born January 15, 1947 in Lubbock County.

C.   Daughter Francisca Luna was born circa 1913 in Texas. In 1920 and 1930 she was living with her parents in Alpine. In 1930 she was working as a laundress at home. She married Ignacio O’con. He was born July 20, 1905 and died in Odessa October 3, 1978. Francisca died in Odessa November 1, 1982, They had five children:
               (1) Son Ramon O’con was born January 14, 1940 in Brewster County.
               (2) Son Jesus O’con was born November 29, 1946 in Brewster County.
               (3) Daughter Lorenzia O’con was born August 10, 1948 in Brewster County.
               (4) Daughter Ignacia O’con was born August 28, 1951 in Brewster County.
               (5) Son Orlando O’con was born May 3, 1955 in Ector County.

D.   Daughter Manuela Luna was born circa 1919 in Texas. In 1920 and 1930 she was living with her parents in Alpine.

E.   Daughter Antonia Luna was born July 19, 1923 in Alpine. In 1930 she was living with her parents in Alpine. She married Florencio Hernandez April 17, 1939. In August 1964 she was living in San Jose, California. Antonia and Florencio had four children::
               (1) Son Senaido Hernandez was born January 20, 1940 in Alpine.
               (2) Daughter Maria Elidia Hernandez, twin of Juliana, was born in Alpine March 31, 1941. She died in Alpine June 30, 1941 and was buried there the same day.
               (3) Daughter Juliana Hernandez, twin of Maria Elidia, was born in Alpine June 30, 1941.
               (4) Daughter Yolanda Hernandez was born in Alpine July 8, 1945. Her baptismal sponsors were Benigno Franco and his wife, Natividad Garcia.

4. Daughter Guadalupe Luna was born March 22, 1887 in Presidio and was baptized in Alamo, Texas March 28, 1887 by Father Castelo. Her godparents were her paternal grandparents, Luis Luna and Refugia Hernandez. On September 19, 1907 she married Dolores Duran in Terlingua. They were married by Father Brocardus from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Davis. Dolores worked for the Chisos Mining Company, employee number 255. Guadalupe died of tuberculosis in Alpine July 3, 1943 and is buried in Alpine. Guadalupe and Dolores had six children:

A.   Daughter Remedios Duran was born in Texas July 31, 1908, probably in Chisos. She was baptized in Chisos by
   Father Brocardus September 30, 1908. Her godparents were Felipe Ramos and Ramona Cataño. In 1910 and 1920
   she was living with her parents in the Terlingua area. Remedios married Jesus Del Valle and they had three children:
       (1) An unnamed son was born August 6, 1928 in Bronte, Texas. He died of a forceps injury during birth and was
   buried in Bronte the following day by his father.
       (2) Son Juan Del Valle was born in Alpine June 20, 1929.
       (3) Son Ramon Del Valle was born in Alpine June 19, 1931.

B.   Son Andres Duran was born circa 1910 in Terlingua and was living there with his parents in 1920. He married
       Antonia Arambula, the daughter of Francisco Arambula and Andrea Cortez. She was born December 25, 1917 in
        Castolon. From 1961 to 1972 she was a resident of Midland. She died of kidney disease in Midland Memorial
        Hospital August 26, 1972 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Midland. Andres and Antonia had two children who
        died as infants. They both were given the same name:
               (1) Son Andres Duran, Jr. was born in Alpine October 18, 1948. He died in Alpine December 24, 1948 of
                      gastroenteritis and was buried there the following day.
               (2) Son Andres Duran, Jr. was born in Alpine December 3, 1949 and died the following day.
                      He also is buried in Alpine.

C.   Daughter Noberta “Beta” Duran was born in Terlingua circa 1911 and in 1920 was living in the Terlingua area with her
       parents.

          D.   Daughter Concepcion “Lola” Duran was born December 8, 1914 in Terlingua and was living there with her parents in 1920. She married Guadalupe Mancha, who was born in Presidio. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Alpine on December 11, 1949 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Concepcion and Guadalupe had five children:
               (1) Daughter Maria La Luz Mancha was born in Alpine November 25, 1935. She died in Alpine January 21, 1937 of bronchial pneumonia and was buried there the following day.
               (2) Son Dulces Nombres “Candy” Mancha was born in Alpine July 22, 1937. He married Guadalupe G. Gomez and they had five children:
                    a.    Son Dulces Nombres “Candy” Mancha, Jr.
                    b.    Son Ruben Mancha.
                    c.    Daughter Lola Mancha.
                    d.    Son Sammy Mancha.
                    e.    Son Mike Mancha.
               (3) Daughter Jesusita Mancha was born in Alpine June 23, 1940. She died there April 3, 1941 of bronchial pneumonia and is buried in Alpine.
               (4) Daughter Elvira Mancha was born in Brewster County February 27, 1943.
               (5) Son Guadalupe “Lupito” Mancha was born in Brewster County May 21, 1947.

          E.   Son Fermin Duran was born in Chisos July 7, 1916 and was baptized there by Father Manuel Cuadrado on July 17, 1916. His godparents were John White and Cruz Moreno.

5. Son Candelario Luna was born November 1890 in Texas and in 1900 was living with his parents in Presidio. The only information available on him is from the 1900 census.

6. Son Manuel Luna was born in May 1894 in Texas and in 1900 was living with his parents in Presidio. He married Dominga Gallegos in Terlingua March 29, 1916. They were married by Father Manuel Cuadrado. Dominga was the daughter of Gabriel Gallegos and Gregoria Franco. Between August 1916 and May 1919 Manuel worked intermittently for the Study Butte Mining Company, usually on the furnace crew at $1.50 to $2.00 per shift. In 1918 he sold nearly 16 cords of fuel wood to the same company for $158.75 and between June 1918 and January 1919 he hauled nearly 24 ½ tons of freight for $355.25.Manuel died in Alpine June 1, 1943 of pulmonary tuberculosis. Dominga died there of coronary thrombosis January 1, 1954. Both are buried in the Alpine Cemetery.

7. Son Alejandro Luna was born June 3, 1894 in Presidio and was baptized July 8, 1894 in Shafter by Father Brocardus. On April 29, 1920 he married Juana Dominguez in Chisos. She was the daughter of Isidoro Dominguez and Sixta Hernandez and was born in Shafter in 1897. In June and July 1917 Alejandro worked a total of 19 shifts in the Study Butte Mine at $1.00 per shift. On May 18, 1942 Alejandro married his second wife, Teresa Briceño. She was the daughter of Cecilio Briceño and Jesusita Trejo. They made their home in Marathon, where Alejandro worked as a ranch laborer. They had four children:

          A.   Son Alejandro “Alex” Luna, Jr. was born in Marathon July 23, 1943. He worked for the ABC Pump Company for 39 years. Alex and Gloria Perez had one child:
               (1) Daughter Norma Perez married Martin Pena from Hobbs, New Mexico.
Alex Luna married Josie Williams in Marfa October 5, 1963. She was born in Marfa December 21, 1943, the daughter of Catarino and Josefina Williams. Josie died at her residence in Marfa September 26, 2002. Alex died at his residence in Marfa October 7, 2003. Both are buried in Merced Cemetery, Marfa. Alex and Josie had three children.
               (1) Son Oscar Ray Luna was deceased by September 2002.
               (2) Son Joe Alex Luna was living in Odessa in October, 2003. His wife’s name is Gloria.
               (3) Son Jamie Lee Luna was living in Marfa in October, 2003.

          B.      Daughter Irene Luna was born in Marathon June 28, 1945. In October 2003 she was living in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her married name is Vigil.

          C.      Son Alfonso Luna was born June 30, 1947 in Marathon. He was living in Carlsbad, New Mexico in October 2003. His wife's name is Gregoria.

          D.     Daughter Ana Maria Luna was living in El Paso in October, 2003.

8. Son Leo Luna was born September 1895 in Texas. In 1900 he was living with his parents in Presidio. The only information on Leo is from the 1900 census.

      9.    Daughter Rebecca Luna was born in Presidio March 14, 1899. She married Carlos Chavez in Terlingua May 14, 1916. He was the son of Encarnacion Chavez and Severa Gomez. Rebeca and Carlos were married by Father Manuel Cuadrado from St. Agnes Catholic Church in Terlingua. In 1920 the couple was living in the Terlingua area where Carlos was working as a mine laborer. He died there around 1921. Carlos and Rebeca had three children: For details and for more information on the Chavez family, see http://www.lifebeforetheruins.com/encarnacion-chavez.html

Rebeca Lujan Luna circa 1908

After the death of Carlos Chavez, Sr., Rebeca Luna had a child whose father’s name is not available:

A. Daughter Rosa Luna was born August 30, 1922 in Terlingua

Rosa married Manuel Ontiveros Mancha and they had two children:
               (1) Daughter Maria de la Luz Mancha was born May 24, 1938.
               (2) Daughter Viola Mancha was born in Alpine November 25, 1940.
     Soon after the birth of Viola, Rosa divorced Manuel Mancha. Later she married Cecilio Luitt, son of Bernardo Martinez Luitt and Facunda Gallegos. They had one child:
               (1) Daughter Ramona Luitt was born in Alpine March 30, 1945. She married Fred Gomez Alvarado in Seminole December 18, 1961. Ramona retired after teaching 34 years in a bilingual school system and Fred retired after 44 years in the road construction business. They have four children:
                    a.    Son Federico Luitt Alvarado was born June 16, 1962 in Seminole.
                    b.    Daughter Debra Ann Luitt Alvarado was born November 19, 1963 in Seminole and died there June 11, 1965.
                    c.    Son Cecilio Luitt Alvarado was born in Seminole May 5, 1965.
                    d.    Son Michael Luitt Alvarado was born in Denver City, Texas July 30, 1968.
     Cecilio Luitt died of tuberculosis in Alpine April 2, 1947 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery.

     Rosa Luna had one child out of wedlock:
               (1) Daughter Rosalinda Luna was born June 26, 1952. In July 1971 she married Antonio Ortega in Seminole. They had two children:
                    a.    Daughter Nordela Luna Ramos was born in Andrews, Texas May 9, 1972.
                    b.    Daughter Sonia Ramos was born in Midland March 11, 1978.

In 1960 Rosa married Santos Garza Blanco. He was born March 4, 1919 and died of cancer in Odessa September 29, 2005. He is buried in Seminole.

          Rosa and Santos had one child:

               (1) Daughter Rebecca Luna Blanco was born April 26, 1963 in Seminole. She married James Romo September 29, 1978 and they had one child:
                    a.    Daughter Monica Angelica Romo was born March 10, 1990. In December 2011 she was living with her mother in Lubbock. In May 2010 she married Nathan Scott Ortega. They have one child:
                         aa. Son Nathan J. Ortega was born in April 2006.
               Rebecca Blanco and James Romo were divorced in November 1983. On February 14, 1984 she married Felipe Rodriguez and they had one child:
                    a.    Daughter Amber Rose Rodriguez was born November 23, 1984. In December 2011 she was living with her mother in Lubbock.
               Rebecca Blanco married Santiago Rodriguez March 2, 2002 and they had one child:
                    a.    Daughter Jayden Marie Rodriguez was born September 23, 2002. In December 2011 she was living with her mother in Lubbock.

               Rebecca Blanco and Santiago Rodriguez were divorced in 2004 and in December 2011 she was living in Lubbock with her daughters.

Later Rebeca Luna united with Pablo Rivera. He had at least one child by a previous marriage:

     A.   Son Ezequiel Rivera was born circa 1916 in Texas. In 1920 he was living with his father in Alpine. He married German Ramirez in Alpine December 10, 1939. They were married by Rev. Felix Alonso. German was the daughter of Eustaquio Ramirez and Maria Lujan. German died in Regency Hospital, Odessa July 19, 2007. Ezequiel died August 3, 2008. They are buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. German and Ezequiel had two children:

          (1) Son Ezequiel Rivera was born October 17, 1942 in Alpine. In July 2007 he and his wife Dorkmai were living in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. They have one child:
               a.    Son Johnathon Andrew Rivera.

           (2) Daughter Ermelinda Rivera was born June 20, 1947 in Alpine. Her married name is Carmon and in July 2007 she was living in Alpine.

Ezequiel and German Wedding Photograph

In 1930 Rebecca and Pablo were living in Alpine, where Pablo was working as a laborer in a lumber yard and later as a carpenter. They owned their own home, valued at $650.00. Rebeca and Pablo were officially married November 29, 1936, although all of their children were born before then. Rebeca died of bladder cancer in Alpine January 29, 1937 and was buried in Holy Angels Cemetery the following day by her husband. Pablo died from complications of diabetes at his home in Alpine January 29, 1960 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Rebeca and Pablo had five children:

         A.      Daughter Elisa Rivera was born in Alpine circa 1923.

          B.      Son Pablo Rivera was born in Alpine July 9, 1930.

          C.      Son Ramon Rivera was born April 19, 1932 in Alpine.

D. Daughter Maria Luisa “Mary Lou” Rivera was born in Alpine August 7, 1933. She died in a tragic accident in Alpine April 26, 1945. The story is told by Maria Louisa Franco Madrid, whose sister was with Maria Louisa at the time of the accident.

“Maria Louisa was my sister Margarita's friend. They were together, also with my cousin Sulema, when she was killed. They were hanging on the back of a delivery truck that was going slow, and they were swinging their legs. Maria Luisa's leg got caught between the double tires. Her father was working on a house close to where it happened and was able to be with her as she died. It took a long time for my sister to get over it. My cousin Sulema still talks about how hard it is to forget the incident. At the time there was no counseling, you just did your best to get over it.”

Maria Luisa is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery.

          E.    Son Benjamin Luna Rivera was born September 17, 1935 in Brewster County. He married Dolores Urquieta, daughter of Juan Urquieta and Mauricia Martinez. She was born June 15, 1932 in Terlingua. Benjamin died in Seminole January 9, 1993. Dolores was living in Seminole in January 1994. They had four children:
               (1) Son Benjamin Urquieta Rivera was born in Gaines County May 14, 1962.
               (2) Daughter Maria Luisa Rivera was born in Gaines County September 22, 1964.
               (3) Son Steve L. Rivera was born in Gaines County February 28, 1966.
               (4) Daughter Yvette Rivera was born in Andrews County October 8, 1971.

10. Son Adan Luna was born in Presidio in 1900. He was living with his parents in the Terlingua area in 1910. From February through April 1918 he worked as a miner for the Study Butte Mining Company. He worked an average of 22 shifts each month for $1.00 per shift. He moved with his family to Alpine in 1920 and lived there until his death. He married Gregoria Reba Baeza Humphrey(d) December 6, 1921 in Alpine. She was born July 26, 1904 in Sierra Blanca, Texas, the daughter of Altudo Humphrey and Paula Baeza. Gregoria died in Alpine of streptococcus septicemia on October 27, 1936. Adan died in Alpine of a duodenal ulcer on October 1, 1940. Both are buried in Alpine. Adan and Gregoria had six children:

Adan Luna, circa 1925

          A.   Son Eusebio Luna was born March 3, 1925 in Alpine. He married Angelita Rivera November 7, 1942 in Brewster County. They had five children:
               (1) Son Eusebio Luna, Jr. was born August 8, 1943 in Brewster County. He married Martha Longoria and they had two children:
                    a.    Son Enrique L. Luna was born December 19, 1969 in Ector County.
                    b.    Daughter Angelina L. Luna was born June 21, 1974 in Ector County.
               (2) Daughter Petra Luna was born December 3, 1945 in Brewster County.
               (3) Son Adan Luna was born September 19, 1949 in Brewster County.
               (4) Son Roberto Luna was born May 18, 1952 in Brewster County.
               (5) Daughter Lydia Luna.

          C.   Daughter Irene Luna

Irene and Alejandro Luna

Alejandro Luna

C. Son Alejandro Luna was born January 14, 1928 in Alpine. He married Emilia Hoyer in Alpine June 21, 1945. They were married by Justice of the Peace R.C. Garnett. Alejandro and Emilia had one child:
(1) Son Javier Luna was born June 6, 1946 in Alpine.

D. Son Octavio Luna was born February 27, 1930 in Alpine.

Octavio Luna

E. Son Cecilio Luna was born August 18, 1932 in Alpine.

F. Daughter Maria Luna was born in Alpine September 13, 1936 and died there the same day. She was buried in Alpine by her father the following day.

11. Son Jose Luna was born in 1901 in Texas. In 1920 he was living with his parents in the Terlingua area. He married Fidencia Gallegos in Terlingua de Abajo on December 17, 1921. The ceremony was performed by Father Max Weyert from St. Agnes Catholic Church in Terlingua and the witnesses were Luis Luna and Herlinda Saiz. Fidencia was the daughter of Gabriel Gallegos and Gregoria Franco. Fidencia died of tuberculosis in Alpine April 4, 1933 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Jose Luna, circa 1925

Fidencia Gallegos Luna

Jose and Fidencia had two children:

A. Daughter Maria Luna.

B. Son Cruz Luna was born September 14, 1926. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was discharged as a Seaman 2nd Class. On November 10, 1946 he married Luz Flores in Alpine. He died September 12, 1948 in a hunting accident in New Mexico. He was riding on a tractor with a loaded weapon when it accidently discharged. He is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Cruz and Luz had no children.

Jose Luna & son Cruz, circa 1927

     On October 13, 1942 Jose married Teresa Flores Martinez in Alpine. She was born October 15, 1897. They had three children, all born before they were married. (There also may have been twins who died as infants, but no information is available on them). Jose worked for Sul Ross State College, retiring in 1967 after more than 22 years of service. A very complimentary article about his career with the college and his retirement appeared in the college newspaper, Sul Ross Skyline, in June 1967

          A.   Daughter Guadalupe Flores Luna was born in Alpine April 9, 1934.

         B. Daughter Josefina Luna was born circa 1935. On May 4, 1952 she married Alvaro Cordova Hernandez, Sr. in Brewster County. He was born November 13, 1935, the son of Cruz Cordova Hernandez. Alvaro died in Fort Stockton November 24, 2008. Josefina was living in Alpine on December, 2011. Josefina and Alvaro had six children:
               (1) Daughter Yolanda Hernandez married Javier Rodulfo. In December 2011 they were living in Floresville, Texas. They had two children:
                    a.    Son Michael Rodulfo was serving in the U.S. Military in December 2011.
                    b.    Son Johnny Rodulfo was serving in the U.S. Military in December 2011.
               (2) Son Jose Luis Hernandez, Sr. was born November 22, 1959 in Alpine. He died at his home in Alpine December 10, 2011 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Jose had one child:
                    a.    Son Jose Luis Hernandez, Jr. was born December 8, 1979 in Alpine and was still living there in December 2011.
               (3) Son Joel Luna Hernandez was born September 1, 1963 in Brewster County. In December 2011 he and his wife Rebecca were living in Lubbock. They had three children:
                    a.    Son Joel Hernandez Jr.
                    b.    Son Gabriel Hernandez.
                    c.    Daughter Casandra Hernandez.

(4) Son Jaime Luna Hernandez was born January 20, 1968. He died February 13, 1995 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. He married Angela Ramirez Garcia and they had one child:
a, Son Jaime Jose Hernandez, Jr. was born March 22, 1987 in Brewster County

               (5)   Son Alvaro Cordova Hernandez, Jr. was born January 20, 1968 in Brewster County. He was living in Alpine in December 2011. He had two children:
                    a.    Son Alvaro Hernandez III.
                    b.    A daughter whose name is not available.

              (6) Daughter Irma Luna Hernandez was born April 10, 1969 in Brewster County. In October 1988 she married Oscar Ramos Cobos and they had two children
                    a.    Daughter Veronica Ann Cobos was born May 17, 1994.
                    b.    Daughter Joaquina Marie Cobos was born February 4, 1990.

               In 1996 Irma and Oscar were divorced. She married Clayton McMurn Lindley October 9, 1997 in Carrizozo, New Mexico. He died of pancreatic cancer September 1, 2005. Irma and Clayton had one child:
                    a.    Daughter Riata Jane Lindley was born July 1, 1999.

C. Son Jose Luna, Jr. was born in Alpine October 7, 1937. He died of colitis in Alpine on March 25, 1938 and was buried there the same day by his father.

12. Son Jesus Luna was born in Presidio April 22, 1906. In 1920 he was living in the Terlingua area with his parents.

Jesus Luna at age 14

Jesus married Jesusita Aranda May 11, 1925. She was born March 22, 1906. In June 1926 they were living in Alpine, where Jesus was working as laborer, and in 1930 they were still in Alpine and Jesus was working as a carpenter’s helper. By 1932 they had returned to Terlingua, where Jesus was working as a mine laborer. He died July 13, 1976 in Big Bend Memorial Hospital of cardiac arrest and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Jesusita died in Alpine July 29, 1980.

Jesusita and Jesus Luna
Alpine, 1965

Jesus and Jesusita Luna

Jesus and Jesusita had four children:

A. Son Alonzo Luna was born in Alpine June 11, 1926. On June 27, 1945 he and Mauricia Lara were married in Alpine by Justice of the Peace R.C. Garnett. She was born December 28, 1928, the daughter of Cipriano Ornelas Lara and Tomasa Mireles. Alonzo died in Fort Worth in January 2011.Alonzo and Mauricia had eleven children:

Mauricia Lara Luna and Alonso Luna
Fort Worth, Texas circa 2005
Photo by Ariel Luna

               (1) Son Alonzo Luna was born August 25, 1946 in Alpine.
               (2) Daughter Oralia Luna was born March 9, 1948 in Alpine.
               (3) Son George Luna was born 28 April 1949 in Lubbock and died In Tarrant County September 25, 1988.
               (4) Son Wilfredo Luna was born July 2, 1950 and died in Tarrant County December 7, 1997.
               (5) Don Daniel Luna was born June 20, 1952 in Brewster County.
               (6) Daughter Irma Luna was born June 17, 1954 in Brewster County.
               (7) Son Oscar Luna was born August 4, 1955 in Tarrant County.
               (8) Daughter Nora Luna was born September 1, 1958 in Tarrant County.
               (9) Son Ernesto Luna was born November 22, 1960 in Tarrant County.
              (10)  Son Arnulfo Luna was born January 25, 1962 in Tarrant County and died there October 4, 1981.
              (11)  Son Fernando Luna was born September 18, 1963 and died June 15, 1990 in Fort Worth.

          B.   Daughter Antonia Luna was born March 26, 1928 in Alpine. She married Nasario Perez August 3, 1943. They had two children:
               (1) Daughter Gloria Perez was born February 24, 1946 in Brewster County.
               (2) Son Pablo Perez.

          C.   Son Guillermo “Willie” Luna was born in Alpine June 26, 1930. His wife’s name was Felicita.

          D.   Son Secundino Luna was born in Terlingua June 1, 1932. He was delivered by midwife Severa Chavez.

13. Son Candido Luna, Sr. was born October 12, 1907 in Terlingua. See http://www.lifebeforetheruins.com/candido-luna-sr.html for details.

14.   Son Anastacio Luna was born February 26, 1909 in Terlingua and was baptized in Chisos by Father Brocardus May 11, 1909. His godparents were Dulces Nombres Gandara and Guadalupe Macias. In 1920 he was living in the Terlingua area with his parents and from 1921 until 1948 he was living in Alpine. In February 1940 he was out of work, and in June 1941 he was working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Anastacio married Magdalena Mireles March 13, 1939. They were married in Alpine by Justice of the Peace R.C. Garnett. Magdalena died in Alpine of apoplexy July 30, 1944 and Anastacio died there of tuberculosis May 19, 1948. Both are buried in the Alpine Cemetery. Anastacio and Magdalena had two children:

          A.   An unnamed daughter was stillborn in Alpine February 21, 1940.

          B.   Son Jose Luna was stillborn in Alpine January 18, 1941.

15. Son Raul Luna was born 17 September 1911 in Terlingua. See http://www.lifebeforetheruins.com/raul-luna.html for details.

Notes:

(a). According to family stories, Antonia had 24 pregnancies, including several sets of twins. However, only 15 children have been accounted for.
(b). The baptism was recorded in the records of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Davis
(c). The godmother was Victoria (last name illegible).
(d). In most records Baeza was used as her family name, but in her death record Humphrey was used.

Sources:
- Baptism records from churches in Chihuahua and Ojinaga, Mexico, accessed via the Family Search web site.
- Baptism and marriage records from St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Davis, copies held by The Archives of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas.
- Presidio County census records for 1880 and 1900.
- Brewster County census records for 1910, 1920 and 1930.
- Study Butte Mining Company Payroll records, W. Keesey Collection, which is held by the Archives of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas.
- Brewster County land records.
- Brewster County birth and marriage records.
- Brewster, Gaines, County death records.
- Family history information provided by Ariel Luna and other family members.
- Josie Williams Luna obituary, Alpine Avelanche, October 3, 2002.
- Alex Williams obituary, Alpine Avalanche, October 15, 2003.
- Personal observations by the author.
- Study Butte Mining Company records, W. Keesey Collection, Archives of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas.

Copyright 2011 by Bob Wirt; all rights reserved.
This work may not be copied or used in whole or part for publication without the written consent of the author.
Individuals may use this information freely to develop and maintain family histories for their personal use.