The Bonifacio Vega Family History

A Documented Research Report by Bob Wirt
Version 8, Revised July 28, 2012

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Bonifacio Vega was born in Mexico circa 1865. No information is available on his parents or his early years. Circa 1890 he married Francisca Alvarado. She was born circa 1870 in Zacatecas, in central Mexico, to Roman Alvarado and Joaquina Sosa. Soon after their marriage the couple moved to the state of Coahuila; where their first three children were born.

Early in 1900 Bonifacio, Francisca and five children immigrated to the United States and settled in the Terlingua, Texas area. By June of 1900 Bonifacio already was employed in the mines. Bonifacio and Francisca apparently were well known and respected by their neighbors. Between 1905 and 1909 one or both of them were chosen as godparents of six local children. (a)

Around 1910, Bonifacio purchased a 640 acre tract of land from the State of Texas, Section 224 of Block G-4.This land lies in a valley just east of Pena Mountain. Ruins of several houses can still be seen in the area. One of these very likely was the Vega home. In 1922 Bonifacio was assessed $8.26 in state and local taxes and $1.75 poll tax. The amount of the state and local tax is fairly typical for the owner of a single section of land. The fact that he was assessed a poll tax indicates he was an eligible voter, and therefore a U.S. Citizen. Bonifacio died in the 1920’s. By 1930 his wife Francisca was a widow living with daughter Victoriana in Terlingua. In April 1940 she was living with her son Juan in Shafter. She died in Alpine on March 20, 1947 and was buried there the following day.

Bonifacio and Francisca had eight children:

1.   Son Isabel Vega was born on July 8, 1890 in Coahuila, Mexico. He immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1900. On February 15, 1908 he married Julia Rivas in Terlingua. They were married by Justice of the Peace G.E. Scott. Julia was born in Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico in March 1895. Her father’s name was Chon Rivas, but her mother’s name is not available. Isabel, Julia or both were godparents to six local children between 1909 and 1924 (b).

Isabel Vega, Sr.

Julia Rivas Vega

Isabel, his wife Julia, and son Matias were still living with Bonifacio and Francisca in 1910, but soon afterward they established their own home in the Terlingua area and he went to work for the quicksilver mines. By January, 1914 he was working for the Chisos Mining Co. and probably continued to work for that company at least through May 1934.

On February 25, 1933, while working for Chisos Mining Company, he slipped on the ice plant platform and fell, landing on his back on an ice can below. He broke some ribs and was off for 9 weeks. Isabel’s Chisos Mining Company employee number was 183. Isabel continued to work for Chisos Mining Company through May 18, 1934, but no additional information is available on his stay in Terlingua.

By 1945 Isabel and Julia were living in Alpine, Texas. She died there of acute myocardial failure on March 19, 1953 and was buried the following day in the Holy Angels Cemetery. Isabel died of pneumonia at Brewster County Memorial Hospital on January 23rd, 1960 and was buried two days later in the same cemetery.

Isabel and Julia had 12 children:

     A.   Son Matias Vega was born February 24, 1910, probably in Chisos (Terlingua), Texas. He was baptized in Chisos on April 24, 1910 by Father Brocardus (c). His godparents were Pedro and Josefa Dominguez.

     B.   Son Tomás Vega was born January 19, 1912 in Terlingua. He was working in the quicksilver mines as a mechanic in 1930; he was still living with his parents in Terlingua at the time.

     On March 15, 1932, while working for the Chisos Mining Company (employee number 823), Tomás cut his finger badly on a door at the gas plant. As a result, he missed four days’ work, during which he received half pay.

    On January 26, 1936, Tomás was a Chisos Mining Company employee running the Sierra Blanca engine at the Mariposa Mine when the air receiver blew up. He was badly injured just under the shoulder blade, where he had a deep cut that penetrated to the bone. He also was badly bruised on the back by flying rocks and had slight cuts on his head and body. He was paid full time for the work he missed. Tomás continued to work for Chisos Mining Company at least through January 1938.

     Tomás married Luciana “Chana” Granado June 20, 1931. She was born in Terlingua May 9, 1914, the daughter of Manuel Granado and Angelita Valenzuela. They had eight children:
          (1). Son Alberto Vega was born in Terlingua on October 3rd, 1932. He married Guadalupe Luna May 4, 1953. They had one child:
               a. Son Alberto Vega, Jr. was born in Alpine, Texas on January 23rd, 1954. He died  of congenital heart disease on February 14, 1954 in Alpine and was buried there the following day.
          (2) Son Tomás Vega, Jr. was born on May 2nd, 1936 in Brewster County, Texas.
          (3). Son Palemon Vega was born on January 11, 1938 in Brewster County.
          (4). Son Romalo Vega was born on February 17, 1940 in Terlingua.
          (5) Daughter Herminia G. Vega was born on April 26, 1944 in Brewster County.
          (6). Son Jesus “Chuy” Vega was born on May 21st, 1946 in Brewster County. He married Maria “Mary” Franco February 3, 1964 in Brewster County. She was the daughter of Francisco Franco, Jr. and Tomasa Hinojos. Maria died at her residence in Grandfalls, Texas September 9, 2005. She is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery in Alpine. Jesus was still living in Grandfalls when Maria died. They had five children:
               a.   Son Jesus Franco Vega was born in Brewster County August 22, 1964.
               b.   Son Daniel “Danny” Franco Vega was born in Brewster County and in September 2005 was living in San Antonio, Texas.
               c.   Son David “GIS” Franco Vega was born in Brewster County and in September 2005 was living in Fort Worth, Texas.
               d.   Son Jesse Vega was living in Grandfalls, Texas in September, 2005.
               e.   Daughter Angie Vega was living in Alpine, Texas in September, 2005. Her married name is Portillo.
          (7). Daughter Virginia Vega was born on June 20, 1948 in Brewster County, Texas. 
          (8).  Son Jose Luis “Liche” Vega was born May 18, 1950 in Brewster County. He married Barbara Orndorff and they had four children:
               a.  Son Jose Luis Vega, Jr. was born in Ward County August 2, 1920.
               b.  Daughter Julie Michele Vega was born in Brewster County January 28, 1974.
               c.  Daughter Billy Jo Vega was born in Brewster County April 18, 1975.
               d.  Son Rex Vega was born in Brewster County April 21, 1976.

     C.   Daughter Reyes Vega was born in Terlingua January 6, 1914. She married Eliodoro Navarro in 1928. He was born in Sierra Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico. They apparently lived in the Terlingua area for a few years, then in Alpine. Probably in the late 1940’s they moved to Loving, New Mexico. Eliodoro worked as a ranch hand in several southeastern New Mexico communities until his death in 1954. Reyes was living in Loving, New Mexico in December 1998 and was still a resident of Loving when she died in 2005. She died in Lea Regional Medical Center, Hobbs, New Mexico on August 11, 2005 and is buried in the Loving Cemetery. Reyes and Eliodoro had eight children.
          (1). Son Juan Francisco Navarro was born in Terlingua on May 27, 1931. He died in Terlingua of gastro enteritis on September 7, 1932 and was buried in the Terlingua Cemetery the same day. Prior to his death he was attended by Chisos Mining Company physician Dr. E.A. Montenyohl.
          (2).Son Ramon Navarro was born in Brewster County, Texas on March 29, 1933.
          (3).Daughter Margarita Navarro, twin sister of Paula, was born in Brewster County, Texas on March 3rd, 1935. She married Adan Parraz and in August 2005 they were living in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
          (4). Daughter Paula Navarro, twin sister of Margarita, was born in Brewster County, Texas on March 3rd, 1935. In August 2005 she was living in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Her married name is Martinez.
          (5). Daughter Tomasa Navarro was born in Brewster County on March 7, 1937. In August 2005 she was living in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Her married name is Villarreal.
          (6). Daughter Valentina Navarro was born in Brewster County on February 15, 1944. She married Nestor Murillo and in August 2005 they were living in Lovington, New Mexico.
          (7). Son Carmen Navarro was born in Brewster County on July 16, 1946.
          (8). Daughter Manuela Navarro married Rafael Echavaria. In August 2005 they were living in Loving, New Mexico.

     D.   Daughter Carlota Vega was born in Terlingua November 4, 1916. She married Juan Rodriguez October 5, 1931. He was the son of Guillermo Rodriguez and Sixta Duran. Juan was employed by the Chisos Mining Company, employee number 864. Carlota and her family moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico around 1950. She was living in Phoenix, Arizona in December 1998. Carlota and Juan had eight children:
          (1). Daughter Anita Rodriguez was born August 4th 1932 in Terlingua. She was delivered by Chisos Mining Co. doctor E.L. Byrd. Around 1950 she moved with her family to Carlsbad. In 1955 she married Lyle Scholl in Carlsbad. Anita died January 28, 2011 in Carlsbad and is buried in the new section of the Carlsbad Cemetery. Lyle preceded her in death. Anita and Lyle had six children.
               a. Son Walter Scholl was deceased by January 2011.
               b. Son Ivan Scholl was living in Carlsbad in January 2011.
               c. Son Lynn Scholl was living in Carlsbad in January 2011.
               d. Daughter Elaine Scholl was living in Ruidoso, NM in January 2011. Her married name is Humphreys.
               e. Daughter Susan Scholl was living in Hobbs, NM in January 2011.
               f.  Daughter Diane School was living in Hobbs, NM in January 2001. Her married name is Shields.
          (2). Son Juan Rodriguez, Jr. was born June 26, 1934 in Terlingua. He died in Alpine on August 1, 1935 of diarrhea and was buried there the following day by his father.
          (3). Son Juan Rodriguez, Jr. (d) was born in Brewster County on May 2, 1936.
          (4). Daughter Maria de la Luz Rodriguez was born in Brewster County on April 18, 1938.
          (5). Son Armando Rodriguez was born in Alpine on November 21, 1944. He died in Alpine of sepsis from a naval infection on December 21, 1944 and was buried there the following day.
          (6). Son Dario Israel Rodriguez was born in Brewster County on March 29, 1946.
          (7). Daughter Nora Rodriguez was living in Carlsbad, NM in January 2011. Her married name is Yanez.
          (8). Daughter Linda Rodriguez was living in Phoenix, AZ in January 2011. Her married name is Reyna.

     E.   Daughter Maria Vega was born in Terlingua June 5, 1918. She married Antonio Baeza Valenzuela October 13, 1937 in Terlingua. Antonio was born July 10, 1915 in Terlingua, the son of Felix Valenzuela and Josefa Baeza. Antonio died in Fort Stockton April 17, 1986 and Maria died there August 1, 2004. Both are buried in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Fort Stockton. Maria and Antonio had one adopted child:

          (1). Adopted daughter Maria Guadalupe Valenzuela was living in Fort Stockton in August 2004.

     F.   Son Isabel R. Vega was born in Terlingua, Texas on June 29, 1920. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Isabel married Manuela Chavez in Alpine September 16, 1941. After his service in the Army the couple made their home in Alpine, Texas. Isabel worked in the maintenance department at Sul Ross State University, retiring after 22 years of service. Isabel died in a Midland, Texas hospital on December 4, 1998 and was buried in Holy Angels Cemetery, Alpine on December 7, 1998. Manuela was still living in Alpine at the time of Isabel’s death. Isabel and Manuela had 10 children:
          (1). Son Isabel Vega Jr. was born in Alpine June 15, 1945. He was living in San Angelo, Texas in December 1998.
          (2). Son Armando Vega was born in Alpine June 15, 1945. He died in El Paso January 10, 1980 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery.
          (3). Daughter Alicia Vega was born in Alpine August 8, 1950. She was living in El Paso, Texas in December 1998. Her married name is Van Zandt.
          (4). Daughter Aurora Vega was born in Alpine July 3, 1951. She was living in Tyler, Texas in December 1998. Her married name is Huddleston.
          (5). Daughter Amelia Vega was born in Alpine March 29, 1953. She was living in Alpine in December 1998. Her married name is Roe.
          (6). Son Guadalupe Vega was born in Alpine December 12, 1957. He was living in Alpine in December 1998.
          (7). Son Ramon Vega, twin of Ramona, was born in Alpine November 1, 1959. He was living in Alpine in December 1998.
          (8). Daughter Ramona Vega, twin of Ramon, was born in Alpine November 1, 1959. Her married name is Holder. In December 1998 she was living in Dallas, Texas.
          (9). Daughter Anita Vega was born in Alpine. She married Enrique Canales in Brewster County December 26, 1963. In December 1998 her married name was McCoy and she was living in San Antonio. Anita and Enrique had one child:
               a. Son Enrique Vega Canales was born October 28, 1964 in Brewster County. In December 1998 he was living in San Antonio, Texas.
        (10). Daughter Lupita Vega was born in Alpine. Her married name is Floyd. She was living in Arlington, Texas in December, 1998.

     G.   Daughter Barbara Vega was born in Terlingua December 4, 1922. She had two children. The father was Guillermo Molinar, son of Paz Molinar and Maria Burgess, but they never married because the family objected to the marriage. Their children were:
          (1). Daughter Odilia Angelica Molinar was born September 4, 1944 in Brewster County.
          (2). Son Jorge Molinar was born May 20, 1946 in Brewster County.

     Barbara later married Jorge Salgado, who was born in Mexico. They lived in Carlsbad, New Mexico and later in El Paso, Texas. He died in El Paso November 12, 1991. She died in El Paso March 23, 1994.

               

     
     H.Daughter Maria Concepcion “Concha” Vega was born March 25, 1925 in Terlingua. She married Reyes Gomez Porras in Alpine on December 2, 1945. They moved to Merced, California in 1953. They had nine children:
          (1). Son Arturo Porras
          (2). Daughter Hortencia Porras. She died as an infant.
          (3). Daughter Adelma Porras.
          (4). Son Raul Porras.
          (5). Daughter Ovidia Porras was born May 6, 1954 in Merced County. Her married name is Powell.
          (6). Son Oscar Porras was born November 1, 1955 in Merced County.
          (7). Son Reyes Porras, Jr. was born November 2, 1958 in Merced County.
          (8). Daughter Sylvia Porras was born February 8, 1961 and died October 2, 1993. Her married name was Dubois.
          (9). Daughter Alise Porras was born June 22, 1963 in Merced County. Her married name is Diaz.

Maria Concepcion Vega Porras

 




I.    Son Jesus Vega was born December 19, 1927 in Terlingua. As a young man he worked as a mechanic’s helper in the mercury mines. He died of pneumonia in Terlingua on January 18, 1945 and was buried in the Terlingua Cemetery. His grave is marked. Prior to his death, he was attended by Chisos Mining Company physician Dr. D.N. Kelley.

     
    

     



     J.    Son Jose Vega was born February 18th, 1930 in Terlingua. He married Lydia “Lilly”. They followed other family members to Merced, CA where Jose worked in a hospital. Lilly was shot to death March 27. 1988 while sitting at her kitchen table when gang members shot at the wrong house. Jose witnessed her death. Jose died in 1995. Jose and Lilly had one adopted son:

          (1).Jose Vega Jr. He is deceased.

Jose Vega

     
     K. Son Gabino Vega was born February 19, 1933 in Terlingua. He died in Terlingua on March 14, 1933 and was buried in the Terlingua Cemetery the following day.

    

     L.   Daughter Petra Vega was born in Brewster County on October 18, 1936. She married Felix Alvarado  They lived in Brewster County until around 1960, when the moved to Merced, California. Petra and Felix had ten children:
          (1).  Son Roberto Alvarado was born May 1, 1957 in Brewster County.
          (2).  Son Felix Alvarado. Jr. was born November 29, 1958 in Brewster County.
          (3).  Daughter Rose Ann “Rosie” was born December 18, 1959 in Brewster County.
          (4).  Son Richard Alvarado was born January 30, 1961 in San Francisco, California.
          (5).  Son Gilbert Alvarado was born January 28, 1962 in Merced County, California.
          (6).  Son David Alvarado was born May 4, 1963 in Merced County. He died April 8, 1990 in Merced.
          (7).  Son Jimmy Alvarado was born 7 May 1964 in Merced County.
          (8).  Daughter Julie Alvarado was born May 18, 1965 in Merced County.
          (9).  Daughter Nora Alvarado was born June 29. 1966 in Merced County.
         (10). Daughter Belma Alvarado was born August 3, 1967 in Merced County.

2.   Son Abram Vega was born in Sierra Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico in October 1892. He immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1900 and settled in the Terlingua area. Little is known about his activities until 1930, when the census showed him as a laborer in the quicksilver mines. In May and June 1934 he was working for the Chisos Mining Company.

Abram married Maria Llanez April 3, 1921 in Terlingua. She was born in 1891 in Sierra Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico, the daughter of Patricio Llanez and Isabel Navarro. Abram and Maria had three children:

     A.   Son Pablo Vega, Sr. was born circa 1921 in Terlingua. He married Preciliana Muniz, daughter of Pedro Muniz and Celestina Huerta. She was born in Terlingua circa 1927. Pablo and Preciliana had three children:
          (1). Son Manuel Vega was born in Brewster County on February 21, 1943.
          (2). Son Pablo Vega, Jr. was born in Alpine on September 6, 1946. He died in Alpine on September 10, 1946 and was buried there the following day.
          (3). Son Jorge Vega was born in Brewster County on December 18, 1947.

     B. Daughter Mercedes Vega was born in Terlingua on September 23rd, 1923. She married Liborio Urquidez circa 1944. They remained in Brewster County through early 1949, but by late 1951 they had relocated to Miami, Gila County, Arizona. Mercedes died on November 7, 1951 in Gila County Memorial Hospital, in nearby Globe, Arizona , from complications of childbirth. She was buried in the Globe Cemetery on November 10, 1951. Mercedes and Liborio had five children:
          (1). Son Liborio Urquidez, (Jr.) was born in Brewster County on February 17, 1946.
          (2). Son Oscar Urquidez was born in Brewster County on January 21, 1947.
          (3). Son Vicente Urquidez was born in Brewster County on December 16, 1947.
          (4). Son Arturo Urquidez was born in Brewster County on February 15, 1949.
          (5). An unnamed daughter was stillborn in Gila County Memorial Hospital, Globe, Arizona on November 3rd, 1951 (Mercedes died four days later). The baby was buried in Pinal Cemetery on November 4, 1951.

     C.   Daughter Daniela Vega was born in Terlingua circa 1927. She married Jose Mancha on March 1, 1947 in Alpine and they had one child:
          (1). Son Jose Mancha, Jr. was born in Brewster County on November 17, 1948.

3.   Son Juan Vega was born in Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico on June 12, 1894. He immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1900 and settled in the Terlingua area. In January and February 1918 he was working part time (e) for the Study Butte Mining Company. He worked on the furnace crew for $1.00 per shift.

Juan married Candelaria Ramirez, daughter of Julian Ramirez and Eduvigen Tovar, in Chisos on June 27, 1926. She was born circa 1900 in Sierra Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico. In 1930 Juan and Candelaria were living with her parents in Terlingua.

In 1930 Juan was working as a laborer in the quicksilver mines according to the census, and from June 1934 through March 1936 he was working for the Chisos Mining Company, employee number 537. In June 1934 Juan missed work for 15 days because of an infected foot. Since the infection was caused by stepping on a nail at home he was not given half pay for the time missed. In May 1936 while working “underground #9”, Juan lost a finger nail when a wheel barrow turned over. He missed work for 28 days and was given half pay for the time missed. In 1939 and 1940 he was working as a miner in the Shafter silver mines. In 1939 he worked 52 weeks and earned $780.00.

By 1946 Juan was a resident of Alpine, Texas. He died there of coronary thrombosis on March 17, 1959 and was buried in the Alpine Mexican (Holy Angeles) Cemetery the following day. Candelaria died in Brewster Memorial Hospital, Alpine September 18, 1972 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery.

4.   Daughter Maria Vega was born in Mexico circa 1897. She immigrated to the United States with her parents in 1900 and was living with them in the Terlingua area in 1910.

5.   Daughter Mariana Vega was born in Mexico in April 1899. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1900 and settled in the Terlingua area. Circa 1916 she married Benigno Mireles, the son of Elena Mireles. Benigno was born in Mexico on February 13, 1896 and immigrated to the United States in 1914.

In 1920 Benigno was working as a laborer in the Terlingua area mines. By 1930 he had moved his family to Alpine, Texas where he owned his own home and was working on a road construction crew. By 1934 he had returned to the Terlingua area and was working for the Chisos Mining Company, employee number 415. It is not known whether or not he moved his family back to Terlingua with him.

Benigno fell off a ladder while working at the Chisos gas plant in December 1935, breaking a bone in his right arm. He was off for 23 days. Also while working for Chisos Mining Company, he had an injury to his left index finger in July 1937 when a piston from the Benz engine slipped and caught the finger against concrete. No time was lost from this injury.

Mariana died in Alpine of cirrhosis of the liver on August 13, 1954. She was buried in the Alpine Mexican (Holy Angles) Cemetery on August 15, 1954. The following year Benigno moved to El Paso, Texas, where he worked as a carpenter. He died of heart disease in Hotel Dieu Hospital, El Paso, on March 2, 1972. Benigno was buried in Alpine on March 5, 1972.

Mariana and Benigno had eight children:

     A.   Son Jacinto Mireles was born in Terlingua circa 1919. He probably died as a child.

     B.   Son Felipe Mireles was born in Texas circa 1923.

     C.   Daughter Cruz Mireles was born in Texas circa 1926.

     D.   Son Benigno Mireles Jr. was born in Brewster County on September 2, 1927.

     E.   Daughter Mariana Mireles was born in Brewster County on August 28, 1929.

     F.   Son Jesus Mireles was born in Brewster County on December 5, 1931.

     G.   Daughter Dolores Mireles was born in Brewster County on June 12, 1935.

     H.   Son Alfredo Mireles was born in Alpine on December 8, 1937. By 1958 he was living in El Paso, Texas and later worked as a teacher at El Paso High School. He died April 16, 1972 when he was struck by a vehicle while walking along Interstate 10 just east of the Tornillo exit. He was buried in Evergreen East Cemetery, El Paso, on April 19, 1972.

6.   Son Manuel Vega was born in Terlingua on June 17, 1901. He was baptized in Terlingua by Father Brocardus on September 22, 1901. His godparents were Juan de la O and Nestora Montes.

7.   Daughter Josefa Vega was born in Terlingua on March 18, 1904. She was baptized in Terlingua by Father Brocardus on April 30, 1904. Her godparents were Cesario Lazano and Cleofus Flores. She married Seferino Garcia April 6th, 1921, probably in Terlingua (f). He was born in San Carlos, Mexico in 1899, the son of Isidro Garcia and Isidora Ochoa.

8.   Daughter Victoriana Vega was born in Terlingua on March 22, 1909. She was baptized in Chisos, Texas on May 12, 1909 by Father Brocardus. Her godparents were Serapio Tovar and Antonia Ramirez. She married Amado Granado August 1, 1930 (f). He was born in Mexico circa 1909, the son of Manuel Granado and Angelita Valenzuela. Amado worked in the quicksilver mines and in 1934 was working for Chisos Mining Company.

Victoriana died of tuberculosis in Terlingua on July 5, 1936 and was buried in the Terlingua Cemetery on the same day by her husband. Prior to her death she was attended by Chisos Mining Company physician Dr. J.K. Miller. Victoriana and Amado had two children:

     A.   Son Manuel Granado was born on August 1st, 1930 in Terlingua. In April 1940 he was living with his uncle Juan Vega in Shafter. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He worked as a refrigeration mechanic for Sul Ross State University in Alpine and also worked for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Service. He died in a hospital in Odessa on December 12, 2001 and was buried on December 17, 2001 in Holy Angels Cemetery in Alpine. Manuel was married to Maria Castillo and they had five children:
          (1). Daughter Leticia Granado was born September 29, 1957. Her married name is Reyes and in December 2001 she was living in Midland, Texas.
          (2). Son Gerald C. Granado was born March 15, 1959. In December 2001 he was living in San Angelo, Texas.
          (3). Daughter Laura Granado was born March 18, 1961. Her married name is Slight and in December 2001 she was living in San Antonio, Texas.
          (4). Daughter Lilia Granado was born July 24, 1966. Her married name is Nanez and in December 2001 she was living in Midland, Texas.
          (5). Son Manuel C. Granado was born February 14, 1968. In December 2001 he was living in Alpine, Texas.

     B.   Daughter Delia Granado was born in Terlingua on October 19, 1932. On February 20, 1954 she married Manuel Fierro, who was born June 16, 1928 in Balmorhea, Texas. Delia worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Big Bend Regional Medical Center for 16 years and also did volunteer work at the Alpine Valley Care Center for 7 years. Manuel enlisted in the U.S. Army– he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant – and later worked for Kimbells, Safeway and Furrs for many years until his retirement in 1990. He died in Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine July 6, 1999 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Delia died October 6, 2008 at a hospital in El Paso and also is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery. Manuel and Delia had six children:
          (1)  Daughter Victoriana “Vicky” Fierro was living in Alpine in October 2008.
          (2)  Son Samuel Fierro was living in El Paso in October 2008. His wife’s name is Annabelle.
          (3) Son Reymundo “Randy” Fierro was living in El Paso in October 2008. His wife’s name is Lilia “Lilly”.
          (4) Son Gabriel “Gary” Fierro was living in Odessa in October 2008. His wife’s name is Graciela.
          (5) Son Roberto “Bobby” Fierro was living in Odessa in October 2008. His wife’s name is Mercy.
          (6) Son Manuel Fierro, Jr. “Cougar” was born in Alpine October 20, 1966. He graduated from Alpine High School and attended Sul Ross State University. He died in Alpine June 12, 2004 and is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery.

 

Notes:

Footnote (a)
     1. Maria Eusebia Vasquez , daughter of Venturo Vasquez and Merced Navarro, baptized on February 26, 1905 in Terlingua.
     2. Martina Hernandez, daughter of Brigido and Sara Hernandez, baptized on April 22, 1906 in Terlingua.
     3. Maria Anselma Pardo, daughter of Serapio Pardo and Maria Sabas Espino, baptized on April 21, 1907 in Terlingua.
     4. Felicita Betancourt, daughter of Domingo Betancourt and Juana Vasquez, baptized on September 15, 1907 in Terlingua.
     5. Manuel Urquietta, son of Juan Urquietta and Jacoba Martinez, baptized on May 11, 1909 in Chisos. (Francisca was the godmother, her son Isabel was the godfather).
     6. Paula Vasquez, daughter of Venturo Vasquez and Francisca Saucedo, baptized on September 3, 1909 in Chisos. (Francisca was the godmother, her son Isabel was the godfather).

Footnote (b)
     1. Manuel Urquietta, son of Juan Urquietta and Jacoba Martinez, baptized on May 11, 1909 in Chisos. (Isabel was the godfather, his mother Francisca was the godmother.)
     2. Paula Vasquez, daughter of Venturo Vasquez and Francisca Saucedo, baptized on September 3, 1909 in Chisos. (Isabel was the godfather, his mother Francisca was the godmother.)
     3. Tomas Balderas, son of Francisco and Vicente Balderas, baptized on November 3, 1909 in Chisos.
     4. Refugio Martinez, son of Santiago and Victoria Martinez, baptized on September 25, 1910 in Chisos.
     5. Sabino Macias, son of Benjamin Macias and Nicolasa Levario, baptized in Chisos June 4, 1916.
     6. Antonio Valderama, son of Dulces Nombres Valderama and Manuela Ramirez, baptized in Chisos November 7, 1924.

(c) Father Brocardus was from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Davis. From 1899 to 1910 he visited southern Brewster County to perform baptisms, weddings and other religious services two times each year.

(d). It was not uncommon for families to reuse the name of a deceased child.

(e). 17 shifts in January and 18.5 shifts in February.

 (f). The wedding was recorded in the records of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Terlingua, but the site of the ceremony was not given.

Sources:

• Texas State land records
• Wayne Cartledge Collection, Archives of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas
• 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 U.S. census records for Brewster County.
• Brewster, El Paso and Ector County death records
• Baptism records from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fort Davis, copies held by the Archives of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas
• Peter Koch collection, Archives of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas
• Personal observations by the author
• Brewster County birth records
• Brewster County marriage records
• Isabel Vega obituary, Big Bend Sentinel, 10 Dec 1998
• Maria Franco Vega obituary, found on USTexGenWeb, newspaper not identified.
• 1940 U.S. census records for Presidio County.

Copyright ã 2010 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.