Gen. M. G. Vallejo
January 18, 18980, was the date of the death of Gen. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, in Sonoma, and marks the close of one of the most brilliant careers in the history of the commonwealth of California. His hands did much in shaping the destiny of this magnificent state, and the great heart of the man was constantly manifested in his benefactions and acts of kindness to those less favored.
Of Spanish origin, the first of the family of whom we have any authentic knowledge is Don Geronimo Vallejo, a native of Spain, who with his wife, before her marriage Dona Antonia Gomez, came as an official of the Spanish government and settled in Mexico, where passing the remainder of his days. Among the children of this marriage was Don Ignacio Vicente Ferrer Vallejo, who was born in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, near Guadalajara, in 1748 and died in Monterey, Cal., in 1832. He was destined to be a leader among his people, and as judge of the country, was sent by the king up the coast to make a report of the Spanish expeditions to the north. The commission executed satisfactorily, he returned to Monterey, Cal., where he located permanently. In the meantime he became interested in the various missions along the coast and gave invaluable assistance to the missionaries. His marriage united hi with the young and beautiful Spanish senorita, Marie Antonia Lugo, between whose ages there was a great disparity, he being twenty-one years her senior, but nevertheless their union was one of continued bliss and happiness. Both lived to good old ages, and after his death she survived only a few years, passing away at the age of seventy-nine.
Thirteen children were born to this couple of whom the eighth child was Mariano G. Vallejo, the subject of this sketch, who was born July 7, 18808 in the old town of Monterey, Cal. During his boyhood the facilities for obtaining an education were exceedingly meager, and after complaint had been made to the Mexican governor, Professor Azpiroz was sent from Mexico to become public instructor at Monterey. It was due to the invaluable assistance of the latter that Mariano Vallejo was able to lay the good foundation for the broad deep knowledge that he later acquired. Not only was his mind capable of acquiring knowledge quickly, but once acquired it was never forgotten, his mind to the last being a perfect store-house of facts and had been utterly forgotten by his contemporaries. Far from being a recluse, he yet had a most tender affection for his books, and was never so happy as when poring over one of his beloved volumes. All of his reading was along practical lines, and he sought to put into practice the lessons which he learned thereby. Even more than was his father, he was destined to come into prominence as a man of power in his community, and he bravely and courageously accepted the duties as they came to him, and handled them with a master hand. At the age of sixteen years he took his place in the ranks of the standing army of Mexico, and at the same time held the responsible position of private secretary to the governor. It was while filling this position that he had the honor of drawing up the articles of capitulation that acknowledged the surrender of Spanish forces to the Mexican government. Military leadership was strongly marked in the make-up of the young soldier, and upon attaining his majority he was put in command of the presidio of San Francisco. Upon the deposition of Governor Chico in 1836 Vallejo's popularity with the people placed him in the gubernatorial chair. He accepted the appointment, but immediately turned the reins of civil authority over to Alvarado, president of the territorial deputation, he himself retaining control of the military forces.
The first town laid out in California north of the bay of San Francisco was Sonoma, and General Vallejo established the lines and boundaries alone with the aid of a pocket compass. As early as 1838 he had brought from the city of Mexico a complete printing outfit, by means of which he reached his people through published addresses. He was an indefatigable worker, and it is said that he himself set the type, worked the press, bound the pamphlets and distributed them with his own hands.
His control as director of colonization extended over a great area of country that has since become one of the post productive agricultural districts in the state. This was known as the Petaluma rancho, including Petaluma, Vallejo, Vacaville and Santa Rosa, and here he inaugurated an agricultural industry that he little dreamed would assume the magnificent proportions that prevail today. The young settlement flourished under the leadership of Vallejo, who though born to military life, took gracefully to agriculture and stock-raising, and at considerable expense brought horses and cattle from the southern country, from which grew the large herds which he owned.
In 1852 after his vineyard was well established, General Vallejo began the erection of the house in which he was to spend his last days. The lumber for this mansion was hauled by teams from Vallejo; the brick was brought from the Sandwich Islands, and the marble mantle-pieces were purchased in Honolulu. Even at $17 a day it was difficult to get carpenters to carry forward the work. It is estimated that the house cost $50,000. The grounds were I keeping with the residence, orange, lemon and evergreen trees being planted, and two magnificent marble fountains added further beauty to the lawns. In gratification of an extravagant whim he sent to Germany for a large pavilion made of bamboo, iron and glass. This he erected at Lachryma Montis as a summer house for his children, entailing an expenditure of $80,000. All that now remains of this beautiful piece of architecture are the pillars, in the form of battle-axes, which now serve as posts for the fence that surrounds the private property. Here in the midst of luxurious surroundings the later years of General Vallejo were passed quietly, although he was constantly sought to take part in public and upbuilding measures. For several years he was treasurer of the State Horticultural Society and for many years was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he was the oldest representative.
Although at one time a man of vast wealth, General Vallejo died a poor man. He owned the homestead at Sonoma and the Pajaro ranch in Monterey county, inherited from his father, but aside from these he had noting. Incidents of his great generosity were numerous and were the cause of the great lessening in his fortunes.
General Vallejo’s marriage united him with Francisca Benicia Carrillo, who was born in San Diego, Cal., of Spanish ancestry, and died January 30, 1891. Sixteen children were born of their union. Andronico died in infancy; the second child to bear the name of Andronico died after reaching maturity; Epifania G. became the wife of Gen. John B. Frisbie; Adela R., deceased, became the wife of L. C. Frisbie, M. D.; Natalia became the wife of Attila Haraszthy; Plutarco died in infancy; Platon was a physician of Vallejo; Guadalupe died in infancy; Jovita married Arpad Haraszthy; Uladislao E. was the next in order of birth; Benicia died in infancy; Plutarco, the second of that name, also died in infancy; Napoleon P. was the next child; Benicia, the second of that name, died young; Louisa is the widow of R. Eparan; and Maria is the wife of Harry Cutter.
One of General Vallejo’s younger children, Mrs. Louisa Emparan, was born at her present home, Lachryma Montis, in the town of Sonoma, where she now owns about three hundred acres of her father’s old homestead. She is the widow of Ricardo R. de Emparan, a native of Mexico, and at one time consul to San Diego, and later holding this appointment at San Francisco. He died in Mexico in June, 19-02, leaving besides his wife three children, Anita, the wife of A. M. Thomson, M. D., of Sonoma Carlos and Raoul.
History
of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
July 13, 2011 Pages 413-415
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