Felix Valenzuela
born 22 Feb 1882 in Julimes, Mexico died 19 June 1938 in Terlingua buried in Terlingua |
Josefa Dominguez Baeza
born 1892 in Redford, TX died 30 Sep 1977 in Ft Stockton, TX buried in Alpine, TX |
Their Children:
_3. Anastacio, drowned at age 11
5. Mauricio, died when little |
4. Isabel, son
6. Mauricia, died when little |
Family Search file with neighboring census records
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MY-C36S?i=4&cc=2000219 |
Their Story: Felix was born in Julimes, Mexico in 22 Feb 1882 ten years before his wife, Josefa who was born in Redford, Texas. Felix's father and older siblings were born less than 15 miles away in San Pablo, Meoqui, Chihuahua, Mexico. But his younger sibling Pedro was born in Shafter, Presidio County, Texas on June 29, 1888.
Josefa was born in Redford, Texas in 1892. Josefa told her daughter, Celestina Amatulli, that when she was a small girl the family had to move to nearby Fort Leaton for protection from Indian raids.
Felix Valenzuela had four mule wagons and over 30 mules according to Pat Ragsdale in his book Quicksilver: Terlingua and the Chisos Mining Company.
The
Josefa was born in Redford, Texas in 1892. Josefa told her daughter, Celestina Amatulli, that when she was a small girl the family had to move to nearby Fort Leaton for protection from Indian raids.
Felix Valenzuela had four mule wagons and over 30 mules according to Pat Ragsdale in his book Quicksilver: Terlingua and the Chisos Mining Company.
The
This is a picture of Terlingua freighters who were friends and hung out together. The photo was taken in 1919 in front of the home of Severiano Chavarría so this would be in the settlement two miles west of Castolón known as La Coyota.
There are family stories about connections between the Terlingua area freighters and a Terrazas. Could it be Luis of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico who had extensive freight business from Chihuahuah to the United States' mid-west (Kansas?). This needs more research. You may find the following link of interest: Luis Terrazas.
There are family stories about connections between the Terlingua area freighters and a Terrazas. Could it be Luis of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico who had extensive freight business from Chihuahuah to the United States' mid-west (Kansas?). This needs more research. You may find the following link of interest: Luis Terrazas.
Felix was elected constable of Precinct Two of Brewster County.
http://www.familiasdeterlingua.com/uploads/2/9/5/6/2956924/name_panel_for_felix_v_edited_1.jpg |
Felix was shot and killed while in the line of duty as constable of Terlingua. His name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC; it is engraved on the East Wall, Panel 22, line 11. Click here to see his entry on their Web site. Felix Valenzuela is also honored in the Officer Down Memorial Page. Click here to see his entry on their Web site.
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We have a memorial page for Felix with more photos. You can see his memorial here.
Note: Marcos Paredes, a Big Bend National Park Ranger, is responsible for getting Felix recognized at the Brewster County Courthouse too in addition to the monument in DC.
Note: Marcos Paredes, a Big Bend National Park Ranger, is responsible for getting Felix recognized at the Brewster County Courthouse too in addition to the monument in DC.
Flora [1. above] was known as Florita. Her mother was María Baeza sister of Josefa.
The two photos above and the one on the left below are of the ruins of the house where the Felix Valenzuela family lived. You can see the erosion of the near wall. the photo on the left was taken in 2011, the one on the right in the 1990's.
Felix would at times have to incarcerate law breakers. They lived almost directly across from the jail which still stands next to the Starlight Theater. Josefa Baeza Valenzuela would prepare the meals for those incarcerated.
Felix would at times have to incarcerate law breakers. They lived almost directly across from the jail which still stands next to the Starlight Theater. Josefa Baeza Valenzuela would prepare the meals for those incarcerated.
The family lived in this house in town (known as Chisos or Terlingua) during the school year so the children could go to school. But on weekends and summers they lived in the ranch home
Celestina Valenzuela Amatulli provided this photo and said this is he father Felix. This view of the house is from the east side looking west.
Felix Valenzuela had a ranch south of Terlingua which he called Rancho San Isidro. San Isidro was the patron saint of farmers. The ranch home of Felix Valenzuela was located at 29.265020, -103.557030.
This photo shows the west side of the home with part of the northern edge of Rattlesnake Mountain looming behind it. Later a tree grew right next to this side of the house and eventually over the decades by the time it was owned by Ken Barnes the tree started to topple down the home. Today there are no walls left but the tree is huge looming over the floors still in place and can be seen in Google Maps.
This photo shows the west side of the home with part of the northern edge of Rattlesnake Mountain looming behind it. Later a tree grew right next to this side of the house and eventually over the decades by the time it was owned by Ken Barnes the tree started to topple down the home. Today there are no walls left but the tree is huge looming over the floors still in place and can be seen in Google Maps.
This dinosaur bone fossil was found on San Isidro and was on display outside in the1950's. Sometime late it was stolen.
Familias de Terlingua wish to thank the following for the information on this page:
Celestina Valenzuela Amatulli provided the photographs.
Petra Gonzales and Celestina Amatulli provided most of the information.
Steven Franco provided the death certificate for Anastacia.
Bob Wirt provided the information about Fort Leaton, Antonio Valenzuela, and María Vega.
This page was last updated on July 04, 2014.
Celestina Valenzuela Amatulli provided the photographs.
Petra Gonzales and Celestina Amatulli provided most of the information.
Steven Franco provided the death certificate for Anastacia.
Bob Wirt provided the information about Fort Leaton, Antonio Valenzuela, and María Vega.
This page was last updated on July 04, 2014.