Picture taken September 1889
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The Picture above 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.
  • Cattle and Horse Brands of Alejo de la Garza and his father in law, Apolonio Palacios registered in Duval County in 1877
  • See brand of Alejo de la Garza registered in Nueces County in 1872
  • See Cattle, Horse and Sheep Brands of Manuel Garcia Garcia
  • Tax receipt paid on 18,819 Acres in San Patricio County in 1859
  • Confederate Tax Receipt paid by Inocente Perez in 1864
    • 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.

      
    This is a picture of the restored way station on the Los Tajitos Ranch, that was mentioned above.
    The family grave site on Los Tajitos Ranch where Alejo, 3 of his children and his in-laws are buried.
    Alejo's son, Amado de la Garza and his wife Maria Gutierrez

    Seabury Papers

    The following is family tree 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. 
    I.      Julián de la Garza * + 1st,( April 28,1802) Guadalupe Vela *  x 1. Cayetano, 2.
        Francisca, 3. Petra 4. Dionicia 5. Antonia 6. Florentina 7. Agapito.
        +2nd Leonor Benavides * x 8. Leonides 9. Secundo 10. Leonida 11. Epitacio 12. 
        Alejo 13. Julián.
        
        1. Cayetano de la Garza * not +
        2. Francisca de  la Garza * + 1st. Juan Cantú * x 1. Juana ( or Paula)
            2nd. Luís López * ( of Antonio López family p 333 for her descendents)
        3. Petra de la Garza + Rosalío Cantu x 1. Juan ( name given in will as Jose
                        Manuel  not Rosalío).
        4. Dionacia de la Garza * + 1st José María López *( of Antonio López family p.333
             her descendents.
                              +2nd Francisco Rodríguez * x 1. Juan 2. Tristán 3. María de Jesus.
        5. María Antonia de la Garza * + 1st Agapito de Leon * ( of  Martín de Leon 
            family of Victoria). x 1. Manuel Leon de Leon.
                               + 2nd Manuel Caravejal * ( Purchaser of San Rafael - 2 leagues).
                               + 3rd Oct 1 1849 Matías Ramírez ( of José Ignacio Ramírez p 355)
            #2 Owner of San Rafael de Ignacio Rivas Tract.
            
             1. Manuel León de León * + 1st María Rita Villareal ( of L. E. Villareal    p. 329

                                         2nd Francisca  Salinas ( of Jose L. Salinas fam. p.156 for 
                                                 heirs)
        6. Florentina de la Garza * + Juan Molina* x 1. Luciano Molina 2. Marcela Molina  
            3. Sabes Molina.

                       2. Marcela Molina * +  Cipriano López
        7. Agapito de la Garza * + Tibercia Elizondo ( of Antonio Elizondo fam. p. 534).
                1. Julían 2. Cayetano 3.  Crescenciana, 4. Juana, 5. Francisca.( p. 534
                                for 3 youngest)
                

             1. Julían de la Garza    
             2. Cayetano de la Garza * +  1st   ----   *  x  1. María ( & others * children, 
                                                                          before Cayetano
                                                 + 2nd Manuela Villareal x  1. Daniel, 3. ----.
P. 317
        8.  Leonides de la Garza *
        9.  Secundo de la Garza *
        10. Leonida de la Garza *
        11. Epitacio de la Garza *
        12. Alejo de la Garza * + Macedonia Palacios  x 1. Secundo * 2. Leonor *, 3.
            Amado, 4. Leonor, 5. Concepcion *, 6. Nicasio, 7. Manuel María * 8. 
            Ascencíon *.
        Note.  Alejo de  la Garza owned by purchase large parts of the "Guadalupe del
        Encinal", "El Tule", "Palo Blanco Ramireño" and " Maguaguey Palo Blanco" 
        tracts and surveys in Starr County.  All children except 3, 4, & 6 * before he 
        died.
        13. Julían de la Garza *


II.     Gregorio de la Garza * + Refugio Trevino *     x  1. Gertrudis, 2. Cecilia, 3.
            Vicente, 4. Juan, 5. Rosalía, 6. Feliciana.
        1.  Gertrudis de la Garza * + Manuel Rodríguez Gonzalez * x 1. Gertrudis *
            not +, after mother.
        2. Cecilia de la Garza * + Luciano Chapa * x 1. Leonardo, 2. Macario, 3. 
            Guadalupe 4. Andrea.
            3. Guadalupe Chapa * Santos Villareal x 1. Gabriela, 2.  Tomasa,3.Francisco
              4. Agapito, 5.Yganacio, and also José María, Donaciano, Máximo and 
                  Bruno all * not +.
              1. Gabriela Villareal + Ygnacio López
            4. Andrea Chapa * + Manuel Cantú x 1. Zeferino
        3. Vicente de la Garza *   ----    x 1. Doroteo, 2. Albino 3. ----.
            1. Doroteo Garza * Francisca Hernández of B. Villareal Fam. p.280 for heirs
        4. Juan de la Garza  + Feliciana ( Concepcion) García  (same as Juan Garza 
           Treviño).            
        5. Rosalia de la Garza * + Matias Nava * x 1. Juan, 2. Antonio, 3. Inez, 4. 
            Irenea, 5. Benito.
        6. Feliciana de la Garza * + Apolonio Lopez * x 1. Refugio, 2.José María, 3.
            Agapito, 4. Rosa, 5. Estéfana, 6. Luciana, 7. Silvestre.

P. 318
Family Trees of Julían, Gregorio, Apolinario, Manuel

III.    Apolinario de la Garza Guerra * + Dec.28, 1805- María Rita de la Garza * (of
        Juan    B. Villareal fam. p. 281.)
                                           x 1.Estéban, 2. Cruz, 3. Julio, 4. Victoriana  5.Viviana * 6. 
             Francisca.
        1. Estéban Garza * +1st Antonia Rodríguez * (of Marcelino López fam. p.249) x
             1.Trinidad 2. Carlota.
                        2nd Dec 28,1886 Genoveva Ramirez Nov 30,1872( of José 
                        Ignacio Ramirez p.359).
            Note: Genoveva left all her property to Trinidad & Carlota by will, Dec
                                   20,1890
                    see Hidalgo Co. "E" 536-
            1. Trinidad Garza Rodríguez * + María Cecilia Garza x 1. José*, 2.Genoveva, 3
                Trinidad.
               1. José Garza * Aug 9, 1904, in Matamoros, Mex.
               2. Genoveva Garza * July 4,1908, in Victoria, Tamps.
               3. Trinidad Garza.
            2. Carlota Garza Rodríguez + Gregorio Rodríguez
        2. Cruz Garza * + Antonio Casas x 1. Enrique, 2.Manuela (+Sebastián Garza 
            Martínez).                  

                                                            (of Antonio Martínez (La Blanca Tract,OG Luis 
                                        Cavazos, Hidalgo Co.
                                                              ^
        3. Julio Garza * + Manuela Martinez * x 1. Sebastian ( ), 2. Ambrosio, 3. Estéban
            4. Francisco, 5. Tomas, 6. Rosa, 7. Lucinda, 8. Sinforosa.
            1. Sebastian Garza Martinez + Manuela Casas (# III,2,2 above)
            2. Ambrosio Garza
            3. Estéban *  Garza not +
            4. Francisco Garza * + Placida Uribe x.
            5. Tomás Garza
            6. Rosa Garza + ---- Resendez *
            7. Lucinda Garza + P. Alegria
            8. Sinforosa Garza
        4. Victoriana Garza * + - Oct. 7,1850- José Antonio Carabajal * x 1. Luisa, 2. 
            Gertrudis, 3. Ramon, 4. Adolfo, 5.Refugio.
            1. Luisa Carabajal + Ruperto Gonzalez.
            2. Gertrudis Carabajal * + Rafael Romero.
            3. Ramon Carabajal                            Rancho El Picoso near Floresville
            5. Refugio Carabajal * + Vicente Dozal * She * 1st, after mother.
        5. Viviana Garza * + Inocencio Perez * ( of Pedro José Pérez fam. P.274 go to for
             heirs).
        6. Francisca Garza * + Juan Pérez Martínez * ( Pedro José Pérez fam P.273 go to
             heirs).
IV.     Manuel de la Garza * + María Francisca García * x 1. Guadalupe, 2. Antonio, 3.
                  Estéfana.
        1. Guadalupe de la Garza * + Andrés Requenes * x 1. María Isabel 2. ----. Both*
            +.
            Andrés * 1st, then Guadalupe then the 2 children leaving grandmother María
            Francisca García alive.
        2. Antonio de la Garza * + ---- x 1. Simona.
            1. Simona Garza * + Carmen Garza * x 1. Preciliana
                1. Preciliana Garza * + Pioquento Dimas x 1. Transito, 2. Exiquio

        3. Estéfana de la Garza * + Dionicio Rodríguez. She * before the Requenes child-
            ren.

P. 319

Antonio de la Garza Guerra - ( Concluded)

V.       Antonio de la Garza Guerra *  + - Nov 16, 1808- María (Inez) Rios * x 1.       
                 Francisco, 2. Nepomuceno, 3. San Juana. 
        
        1. Francisco de la Garza * + Guadalupe Garza López x [1. Zeferino, 2. José 
            Guadalupe, 3. María de Jesús, 4. Virginia, 5. Faustino, 6. ---- apparent error by  
                    Seabury, lined out by author]

                 x 1. Francisco, 2. Eulogio, 3. Jesús, 4. Gertrudis, 5. Nestera.
                1. Francisco Garza * + Felipa López x 1. Zeferino, 2. Guadalupe, 3. María 
                    de Jesús, 4. Virigina (+ David Salinas). 5. Faustino, 6. Eulegio & 3 others 
                * - not +.
                    2. Guadalupe Garza * + Tomasa Alvarado x 1. Jacinto, 2. Francisco, 3. 
                     Santos, 4.Lazaro (  )
                2. Eulogio Garza * + Gregoria Vela ( of Por 82, see P. 453) x Margarito, 2.
                Ventura, 3. Guadalupe, 4.----, & 5.
                3. Jesús Garza * - not + before mother.
                4. Gertrudis Garza + Narciso Gonzalez x 1. Victorio, 2. Albino.
                5. Nestora Garza + Léandro Sáens (of Nicanor Vela qv p. 451)
        2. Nepomuceno de la Garza * + Dolores Villareal * x 1. Teofilo, 2. Luciano, 3. 
            Dario, 4. Anastacia, 5. Joséfa, 6. Francisco (*- not + after father  before mother
            1.Delores Villareal + 1st Lucas Rios * x 1. Antonio, 2. Estéfana *(+Miguel
                        García)
             5. Joséfa Garza * Ramón García x 1. Petra.
             2. Luciano Garza * + Gertrudis López * x 1. Gregorio. 2. José María, 3. Sabas
                4. Silvestre, 5. Luisa, 6. Juan Antonio, 7. Desidora ( + Juan Carrasco).
        3. San Juana de la Garza * + Feliciano Villareal x 1. Andrés, 2. Helena,
                           3.Catarina
            4. Francisca 5. Donaciano, 6. Lina, 7. Felix.
                2. Helena Villareal * + ---- Gonalez, x 1. Juan.
                3. Catarina de la Garza *  Julian García * 
                6. Lina Villareal + Higino García.
                7. Felix Villareal* , ---- x 1. Modesto, 2. Antonia. 

Legend:         * - Has died 
                + - Married to
                x - Children of
                ---- Unknown or can not read
                       Compiled Nov. 22, 1899.
Information compiled and typed from Seabury Papers by José Oscar Guerra Jr. on
February 13, 1994.

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