1860 election was important to landowners in Duval County trying to get titles to land cleared

In February 1860, the Texas Legislature enacted a law giving landowners yet another opportunity to ratify ownership to Spanish and Mexican grants south of the Nueces River. Mexican American landowners in Duval County began the process to legitimize their longstanding claims.

These landowners needed help navigating the American legal system. They turned to two men who through the years had earned their trust. Prussian-born Felix Blucher began surveying land grants in Duval County as early as 1854. Attorney Charles Lovenskiold, a multi-lingual Dane, represented a number of landowners, as well.

These men did not look at the Mexican Americans with the contempt of those seeking to get their lands. Perhaps because they felt an affinity to their foreign upbringing, the Mexican American landowners looked at these two men for advice. 

As the land cases made their way to the courts, Judge Milton P. Norton of the Fourteenth Judicial District died unexpectedly in San Antonio in June 1860. Governor Sam Houston called a special election for the first week of August to fill Norton’s unexpired term.

In February, the Legislature enacted a law assigning the unorganized counties of Duval, Encinal, and LaSalle to Nueces County for judicial purposes. The Nueces County Commissioners Court moved to establish voting precincts to serve residents in the three unorganized counties. The court was unable to get a quorum in May or June but at a special meeting on July 3 they created Precinct 9 for Duval and Encinal counties at Agua Poquita, which was located south of San Diego, between present day San Diego and Benavides.

The roads between Corpus Christi and Laredo and San Diego and Mier crisscrossed the Agua Poquita’s ranch headquarters at La Felicidad. The court’s action was unclear whether they named John Vale as election judge with Rafael Salinas as an alternate or whether Vale was named election judge and the precinct’s location was at his rancho or at that of Salinas. Since Salinas did not appear to have a ranch, it could have been interpreted that the mention of Salinas was as an alternate election judge.

In late June, candidates began filing for the seat. Seven men, all attorneys specializing in land issues, filed for the office. Among the candidates was Goliad attorney John F. McKinney, a Virginia native, who had unsuccessfully challenged Judge Norton three years earlier. He was the same McKinney who was the plaintiff in McKinney v. Saviego that had made land titles for longtime Mexican landowners murkier. His primary challenger was Joseph O’Connor, another Virginian and a Corpus Christi attorney, who solicited help of his “numerous friends… to see it [law] executed efficiently without fear or favor, prejudice or predilection.” Among his friends were Blucher and Lovenskiold who would play a central role in the election.

Early returns gave O’Connor a substantial lead, primarily from the large turnout in Nueces County. When votes from the northern counties were counted, McKinney closed the gap but he was still considerably short. O’Connor led with a 171-vote margin, 654 to 483. O’Connor’s margin was credited to the striking results of the newly created Precinct 9 in Duval County. Even though the census showed only 73 men of voting age, the new precinct recorded 315 votes, or 45.2 percent of the total Nueces County vote. O’Connor carried Agua Poquita, receiving 313 votes. Blucher, Lovenskiold, and several other men not of Mexican origin organized and voted in the precinct even though they lived elsewhere in the county.

The cries of foul were swift and widespread.

Tom | July 20, 2018 at 2:23 pm | Reply (Edit) Thanks for your quick response. I appreciate it. Hopefully, someone among you followers will have some information. Best wishes, Tom. Tom | July 19, 2018 at 6:27 pm | Reply (Edit) I have come into possession of an envelope from E. Garcia Perez & Sons in San Diego, TX. The envelope is dated 12 May 1889 and was sent to Collins, TX where it arrived on 18 May 1889. Enclosed with the letter is a note signed by E. Garcia Perez and Sons. It refers to three barrels of flour having been shipped to John D. McIntyre in Collins. Also enclosed is a form from the Mexican National Railroad Company, Texas Division acknowledging receipt of three barrels of flour to be delivered to Mr. McIntyre in Collins. The return address on the envelope says E. Garcia Perez & Sons were “Dealers in General Merchandise.” If you can point me to any other information on E. Garcia Perez and the company that bears his name, I would appreciate it. Thank you! alfredo@mcmbooks.com | July 20, 2018 at 10:47 am | Reply (Edit) Encarnacion Garcia Perez was an important player in the development of San Diego and Duval County. I do not have much information on his mercantile business. Perhaps some of our readers can help. That’s a great piece. Robert | June 11, 2021 at 6:11 pm | Reply (Edit) Encarnacion Garcia Perez was my great-great-grandfather. He moved to San Diego after losing hundreds of sheep in a flood outside Corpus (which I may have learned here!), but as far as I know, he was descended from the original deed holders of the San Diego de Arriba grant. He and his wife Praxedis Tovar had my great-grandfather Avelino when they lived in Mier, that much I do know. He died in San Diego in May of 1921, I believe, at the age of 87. cardenas.ae@gmail.com | July 21, 2021 at 7:09 pm | Reply (Edit) Encarnacion Garcia Perez came to San Diego much earlier than you indicate, in the 1860s. After the flood you mention he returned to Mexico, but came back when Mexico broke into revolution in the 1910s. His wife was a direct descendant of the Flores family who were the original land owners of the San Diego grants. Her mother was Trinidad Flores who was the daughter of Ventura Flores and granddaughter of Julian Flores, original owners of San Diego de Arriba and San Diego de Abajo. Encarnacion Garcia Perez and Trinidad Flores, aside from being in-laws, were actually related through the Garcias. They were both very important to the development of Duval County. Alma | April 12, 2018 at 7:46 pm | Reply (Edit) Alfredo, thank you for pointing me out to Irene. As there is no Private Message option for me to contact Irene on here I’ll find her on Facebook and send her a message. Just maybe we’ll be able to help each other out. 🙂 Irene Menchaca | April 13, 2018 at 11:55 am | Reply (Edit) Thanks for reaching out to me Alma! I really look forward to finding out about the mystery of the Menchaca’s Irene Menchaca | April 11, 2018 at 4:45 pm | Reply (Edit) Hello Mr. Cardenas, My father, Dario Menchaca, Jr. was from there [San Diego] and his father, Dario Menchaca lived in San Diego as well. My grandfather married Carlota Ibanez…I am working on my Geneology…My grandfather’s father was Jose Menchaca (and he married Hilaria Chapa) but I cannot find the names of his parents so I can track my Indian lineage through my grandfather. I was hoping you could help me look in the right direction. Thanks so much! alfredo@mcmbooks.com | April 12, 2018 at 10:42 am | Reply (Edit) Good to hear from you, Irene. Unfortunately, I do not any information on the names you mention. Take a look at the previous comment from Alma, which also is working on the Menchaca line. Good luck and keep searching! Alma | March 19, 2018 at 8:10 pm | Reply (Edit) I’m really hoping that you still look in and read the comments, Alfredo E Cardenas. I would love to find any information on my 2nd Great Grand father Jose Ramon Menchaca born in 1840 • San Diego, Duval, Texas. I have one Great Uncle who is 93 still living, he remembers growing up in San Diego. I believe my second great Grand Father moved to Mier where he married Maria Donaciana Barrera. I’m not positive if Jose Ramon and his wife Donaciana returned to San Diego, just that one of their sons, Gorgonio Menchaca lived in San Diego, married Maria Herminia Ortega and they raised his children, one being my Grandfather Miguel Menchaca, oldest sibling of my Great Uncle who is still alive. I’ve had the most difficult time finding information on this branch of Menchaca’s. alfredo@mcmbooks.com | March 21, 2018 at 2:20 pm | Reply (Edit) I’m sorry to say I do not have any information on the names you mentioned. I am curious where you found information on Jose Ramon Menchaca being born in San Diego in 1840. San Diego did not exist as a community but was a rancho and it was still a part of Mexico. What documentation do you have? I would love to see it if you are willing to share. Thank you for your interest. Alma | March 21, 2018 at 7:33 pm | Reply (Edit) Hi Alfredo, I’ve been woking on my Family Tree on Ancestry com, I’ve been going through Ancestry, MyHeritage, and Family Search looking for documentation for the last 2 1/2 years. On my 2x Great Grand fathers birth place, it was my Grand father Miguel who shared stories of his childhood, growing up in San Diego, Duval. It doesn’t however confirm that was where his Grand father Ramon was born. It makes sense to me after reading your comments that at that time(date) it was a ranch in Mexico back then. My Great Uncle Alonso, who is 93 years old, has shared stories of when they were children growing up in San Diego.. He was born in 1924 so that was after the fact. But my Grand father was born in 1903, he also had memories of San Diego, Duval. I don’t know how long my Great Grand father Gorgonio Menchaca lived in San Diego with his family, he passed away the same year I was born so I never got to ask about the family. His death certificate states he was born in Fronton, TX. Same as my Grand father Miguel, however there is another document showing he was born in Mier, Tamaulipas, MX. My branch of Menchaca’s documents are proving very difficult to find! After reading your comments I should scratch San Diego, Duval as my 2 x Great Grand fathers birth place. At least until I come across documentation. Thank you so much for replying, I appreciate this so much. Alma 🙂 David C Menchaca | March 19, 2019 at 1:22 pm | Reply (Edit) Hello Alma. We are cousins since Gorgonio was also my great grandfather. I have also been searching. Verbal family history indicates that Gorgonio’s father, Ramon, was born in San Diego, TX. I located the State of Texas Death Certificate for Ramon Menchaca Jr who died on 03-10-1942 in McAllen. Ramon Jr’s place of birth is Los Guerra’s, Tamaulipas, MX. (Los Guerra’s is actually Los Guerra’s Ranch near Mier, Tamualipas, MX) Ramon Jr’s father is listed as Ramon Menchaca and his mother as Dona Aciana Barrera so I am sure the Ramon (Sr) listed on the death certificate is our great, great grandfather. On the death the parents place’s of birth are listed. On the death certificate Ramon’s (Sr) place of birth is listed as Guajillo, TX. The community of El Guajillo no longer exists but is was approximately 10 miles south of San Diego in Duval County. The person who provided the information for the death certificate is Odelia M (Menchaca) de Perez which is Ramon Jr’s and Gorgonio’s sister and Ramon (Sr’s) daughter. I would believe that Odelia knew where her father was born. This would also explain the family’s history in the San Diego area. I have been trying to find out why the family would have traveled from Mier to the San Diego/ El Guajillo area. I read that in the 1800s the City of Mier provided land grants in what is now Duval County while it was still Mexico. It appears that Miguel Menchaca, Ramon Sr’s father, may have traveled to the El Guajillo area where Ramon (Sr) was born in 1840. Miguel went back to the Los Guerra’s area where he died in 1857. Ramon Sr also went back to the Los Guerra’s area where he died in 1910. The next step is to attempt to locate if Ramon Menchaca received a land grant in Duval County from the City of Mier. Alma | March 20, 2019 at 9:58 am | (Edit) David, how wonderful to finally see family come in and post. I’ve been at this for so long, it’s driven me batty on some months because I keep going in circles. I’ve turned ancestry com, MyHeritage, Family Search upside down and have yet to get a hold of documents on Miguel Menchaca. His wife’s name is different on both of Jose Ramon Menchaca’s documents, one names her as Concepcion, the other as Encarnacion but the same last name Sandoval. We had Homer who is my Dads youngest sibling/brother get his YDNA test done through Family Tree DNA, this branch of Menchaca’s haplogroup is R M-269. I don’t see an option to message you, are you on Facebook perchance? If so I can message you on there and we can share information. Stay in contact. 🙂 Alma David Menchaca | March 20, 2019 at 10:17 am | (Edit) I am on Facebook and friends with Homer. I met with Homer a few days ago and gave him a book that belonged to Joel. Get with Homer cardenas.ae@gmail.com | March 20, 2019 at 2:54 pm | (Edit) Thank you Alma and David, Glad we could facilitate you getting together on your family. Alma | March 20, 2019 at 4:14 pm | (Edit) Thanks to you and your site, Alfredo 🙂 New info will hopefully help me obtain more documents. I need all the help I can get. Alma cardenas.ae@gmail.com | March 23, 2019 at 9:37 pm | (Edit) Your welcome. Glad to be of help. Frank | July 6, 2017 at 10:55 am | Reply (Edit) Do you have any information on Luciano and Juanita Bazan? I believe they were around during the 1860 census Regina Radulski | July 23, 2015 at 12:32 pm | Reply (Edit) I was told the family name changed to Henry when they immigrated, it was originally Heinrick. Alfredo E. Cardenas | April 2, 2015 at 3:18 am | Reply (Edit) I have never run across that name in my research. Sorry. Anonymous | April 2, 2015 at 3:14 am | Reply (Edit) Does anyone know Antonio C. Alaniz born June 13 unknown year born in San Diego, TX and passed away Jan. 6, 1926.. I dont know if he was buried in San Diego or in Cotulla Tx.He was my Great Grandfather. Rob | December 24, 2014 at 4:30 pm | Reply (Edit) Do any folks in Duval and nearby areas have family traditions or tales that they are descended from Jewish "conversos" who were forced out of Spain by the expulsion in 1492 or to escape from the Inquisition in years afterwards? It's thought that many people who went to Nueva España were conversos, or descended from them, particularly people who settled in what is now northern Mexico. (Probably they looked for places far from the capital where the Inquisition had eventually arrived and become active.) As time went on and the reach of the Inquisition spread, some of them pushed further north into what are now Texas and New Mexico. After so many centuries, some families have lost the awareness that they are descended from conversos, but may have maintained some customs or traditions that were originally Jewish, like lighting candles on Friday nights or not eating pork. There are literally millions of people now in the New World who are descended from the conversos. In Brazil, alone, it's estimated that there may be as many as 14 million descendants. There are many in Argentina. The region of Antioquía in Colombia (where Medellín is located) is supposed to have been founded by conversos and Jewish refugees and it seems to be a matter of considerable local pride! In more recent years communities of converso descendants have been identified in New Mexico. Others have been found in Portugal, to which many Spanish Jews escaped before being forced out by the Inquisition a few decades later. But some communities survived in isolated mountain villages. I've heard some speculation that Francisco Gonzales is a descendant of conversos, but I don't know enough about his ancestry and family history to know if there's any basis for that. Still, it would be interesting to know if there are other families in South Texas with similar lore or history! Rob | December 24, 2014 at 4:30 pm | Reply (Edit) If anyone knows more about Francis (Franz/Francisco) Bromowicz, who married Helena (Lena) Henry, we'd be grateful to hear about him. He seems to have left Lena not long after the birth of their two daughters — apparently ordinary people didn't divorce in those days, they just split up! We know there was an F. Bromowicz who was a professional photographer in Laredo in those years. They may be the same person — it's unlikely there were that many F. Bromowiczes floating around South Texas in the latter 1800s! The spelling of the name suggests that he was also Prussian, so it's possible that he may also have been from Posen. He may have had some relationship with the Henrys or Schnydermans before coming to the U.S. Thanks, and ¡saludos a todos! Rob | December 24, 2014 at 4:30 pm | Reply (Edit) Other things we know (or think we know) about the Henrys: According to family lore, Mary (Marie?) Henry was first married in Prussia to Adolph Schnyderman, who was the father of her daughters Jenny and Helena (Lena). Adolph was a surgeon/physician who was grievously wounded in the Franco-Prussian War and faced amputation of his leg. He either died of the wound or committed suicide rather than undergo the amputation. (This was long before anesthesia, so it's understandable!) Mary then married Adolph's half-brother Nathan Henry and they emigrated to the U.S. Nathan's brother Julius had already emigrated and had become successful in Corpus Christi, so undoubtedly he helped Nathan and Mary open their store on the square in San Diego. Nathan and Mary had a son known as Louis Henry, Jr. A few years later Nathan left Mary and the children and went to New York. Not long after that he became fatally ill. Julius went to New York where he found Nathan in Mt. Sinai Hospital. He got Nathan to settle his affairs and write a will. In the will Jenny and Lena are referred to by the surname Schnyderman, so that appears to have been their official birth names, even though they may have started using the Henry surname unofficially after their mother married Nathan. We also know from the will that Adolph Schnyderman was a half-brother of the Henrys, so his mother presumably married Mr. Schnyderman first and then married Mr. Henry after the elder Schnyderman's death. As speculated here, it's possible her given name was Helena, since the name was given to the daughters of Adolph and Mary and of Paul and Frederika. Jenny probably did elope with Francisco Gonzales, greatly upsetting her family because marrying out of the Jewish faith was "just not done" in those days. We have heard that Louis Henry also wanted to marry a Mexican girl and the family was extremely opposed (probably aggravated by Jenny's earlier marriage). The conflict apparently caused Louis to have some kind of serious breakdown and he ended up institutionalized in San Antonio. It was all very hushed-up because people didn't talk about mental illness in those days and he was barely mentioned in the family. He died in the institution and we understand he was buried in the same plot/grave in the Jewish cemetery in Corpus Christi as his mother, Mary, with no marker. We don't know why he was called Louis, Jr. It's possible that Nathan began using the more "American" or fashionable-sounding name of Louis after coming to the U.S. and that's why his son was known as a Junior. Lena Henry, by the way, died in New Orleans and is buried in the Hebrew Rest Cemetery there, in the same plot as her daughter Theresa and son-in-law George Montague, as I recall. There are enough references to the Henrys, especially Julius, as being from Posen to make it the likely origin of the family. In the 1800s it was part of Prussia and later Germany after the unification. Now it's in Poland, and called Poznan. Adolph Schnyderman is supposed to have been in the Prussian Army and probably was from Posen, as well. There's quite a bit of information about Julius Henry, because he was such a prominent person in Corpus Christi, so it should be possible to learn the names of his parents (it's possible that in Prussia the surname was either Hendricks or Heinrich, rather than Henry, which may have been an Americanization after Julius immigrated). We may also be able to learn more about Adolph — there may be records of his military service, at least, in Germany. Anonymous | July 15, 2014 at 12:12 am | Reply (Edit) If you are interested in where the Henrys are buried to observe family ties, the cemetery is in Corpus Christi. http://www.stoppingpoints.com/texas/sights.cgi?marker=Hebrew+Rest+Cemetery&cnty=nueces Paul and Frederika had a daughter Helena who died in infancy and was the first person to be buried in that cemetery. Since my great grandmother was named Helene (Lina), I have to wonder if this was a family name for perhaps Paul, Nathan and Adolph's mother. We have no information about their family in Prussia other than they came from Posen. I suspect it was still Prussia when Julius came to the U.S. I don't know when Mary came, so she might have left around the time it was becoming Germany. Anonymous | July 14, 2014 at 6:12 pm | Reply (Edit) When Nathan died, a complete inventory of the store was made as per the rules of what must have been probate for the day. The store must have been owned by Nathan, who was long gone. Mary's store was close to the Catholic church and she was good friends with Father Bard. I suspect that friendship saw her through the rest of her life. Anonymous | July 14, 2014 at 6:12 pm | Reply (Edit) Paul Henry was witness to Lina's marriage. Nobody from the Henry family witnessed the marriage of Jenny and Don Francisco Gonzalez. It's as thought they'd eloped. Anonymous | July 14, 2014 at 6:12 pm | Reply (Edit) Julius Henry came from a family of 13 children. He was a middle child. He came to the US when he was about 15 years old and made his way to Corpus Christie. Other siblings followed. Paul must have been a brother to Julius. He is listed as a witness to the marriage of Helene Henry and Francis Bromowicz. Mary was first married to Julius' brother Adolph, who died in one of the Prussian wars. He was a surgeon general, according to my father. Mary then married brother Nathan. Her daughters Helene and Jenny were Adolph's children. Louis was Nathan's son. I don't know if Paul was a merchant in San Diego, but Mary was. Julius had a grocery store in Corpus Christie. He also held other government posts while he lived there. So to answer your question, Paul would have been a brother-in-law to Mary. They are all buried in the family plot in Corpus Christie. Anonymous | July 14, 2014 at 2:38 am | Reply (Edit) Also, Mary Henry's daughter, Jenny aka Juana, married Don Francisco Gonzales (z), editor of the newspaper, "La Libertad." They had many children together. They had a son, Rafael, known as R.M. Gonzalez. I believe his children included Alicia, Lilia and Oscar, although I could be mistaken. My great -grandmother was Jenny's sister, Helene, married to Francis Bromowicz, and known as Lina. She had daughters Teresa and Sara Bromowicz who went on to be Teresa Montague and Sara Kierr, both of New Orleans, LA. Sara did have a son, Raymond Kierr, born in San Diego, TX and later a very prominent attorney in New Orleans. My father, Samuel Montague was born in New Orleans in 1912. Mary Henry died close to the time of his birth, as I recall. Raymond was born in 1913. Sam and Raymond were only children and the cousins grew up like brothers. My father grew up fluent in English and Spanish. I suspect the photographer with a studio in Laredo, who has photos online of families in San Diego, TX around that time, F. Bromowicz, may have been Lina's husband and my great-grandfather. We don't know what became of him. My father never knew him. Lisa Montague Alfredo E. Cardenas | July 14, 2014 at 2:34 am | Reply (Edit) The only Henry that I have found in my research is Paul Henry who was an important merchant n San Diego in the 1880s. Any relation to Mary? Anonymous | July 14, 2014 at 1:47 am | Reply (Edit) Look at the photographs that go with the photo of the plaza in San Diego, TX in 1876. One of the photos shows my great great grandmother's general store and the house where she lived with her daughters and a son. Her name was Mary Henry and it is her initial M with the name Henry written on the store. She came to San Diego from Prussia. Her husband, Nathan, left her there, going to New York. She ran her store and raised a family on her own. She is buried in Corpus Christi in the family plot founded by Julius Henry, the first Jewish resident of Corpus Christi and owner of a grocery store there. He was an influential citizen in Corpus Christi. Mary was his sister-in-law. Her daughters were Helene and Jenny, both born in Prussia. She had a son in the U.S. named Louis. http://rattler.tamucc.edu/dept/special/sandiego.html Anonymous | May 23, 2014 at 2:20 am | Reply (Edit) Great work you are doing about the history of Duval county. Have you found any history about Manuel Garcia and the Candelaria Ranch in Concepcion and the Jose Antonio Gonzales and Cordentes land Grants? I am a greatgrandson of Manuel and our family history indicates that he came to Concepcion from Camargo in the 1860's and purchased approximately 12000 acres of land that some family members still owen. I am always lookink forward to reading your postings. THANKS, Eduardo E Garcia Alfredo E. Cardenas | August 27, 2013 at 5:20 pm | Reply (Edit) Thank you Anonymous | August 27, 2013 at 5:19 pm | Reply (Edit) I love want your doing keep it up my love ones are from Duval County Alfredo E. Cardenas | August 23, 2013 at 7:13 pm | Reply (Edit) Thanks. I appreciate your kind words. The ties between Jim Wells and Duval County are very strong. Anonymous | August 23, 2013 at 7:10 pm | Reply (Edit) I am a new follower and am so pleased with the first article I read. I was born and raised in Alice, Jim Wells County, TX, but the San Diego Catholic Church has sacramental records of my ancestors prior to the early 1900s. So, I am certainly interested in all of your postings. Thank you. Cavazos-Hewgley Alfredo E. Cardenas | August 23, 2013 at 4:44 pm | Reply (Edit) Yes he was an important figure in the frontier. Will have more on him in later posts. Anonymous | August 23, 2013 at 4:42 pm | Reply (Edit) Would you have anything on Jorge Alanis owner of Las Animas ranch in Freer . It is our understanding that he was an important man . Alfredo E. Cardenas | August 23, 2013 at 3:38 am | Reply (Edit) Yes, I've written some articles on the Puigs. They will appear in later post. Be on the lookout. Anonymous | August 23, 2013 at 3:36 am | Reply (Edit) Have you found anything on the Puig family or Jose Vaello. I have the 1870 Census and they lived in San Diego. According to the 1870 Census, Jose was an innkeeper in San Diego. Alfredo E. Cardenas | August 22, 2013 at 7:52 pm | Reply (Edit) I have documentation for all of it. By this time in San Diego's development Julian and Ventura Flores were no longer in the picture. They were there much earlier. Check some of he earlier posts, although there really isn't much written record on these men. Their descendants, Trinidad Flores, Encarnacion Garcia Perez and others were active during this period. I have been researching this for years, but if you have anything on Julian and Ventura Flores I would love to have it if you are willing to share. Anonymous | August 22, 2013 at 7:43 pm | Reply (Edit) How true is this? San Diego should have oodles of Julian and Ventura Flores. I don't see anything like that??????????? Alfredo E. Cardenas | August 22, 2013 at 2:07 pm | Reply (Edit) Will do, just give a few more months. Hope you have a lot of kids and grandkids! Anonymous | August 22, 2013 at 2:05 pm | Reply (Edit) Please write a book soon! Would love to have my hometowns history for my kids and grandkids to read some day