SURNAMES: Zepada, Martinez, Juarez,
A worthy pioneer of Santa Clara County who settled in the vicinity of
Morgan Hill in 1873 was Antonio Montoya, whose activities as a rancher
added much to the prosperity and advancement of his locality. He was a
native of Old Mexico born near the frontier of the State of Sonoma on
January 17, 1837. He was the son of Ygnacio Montoya, who was an
extensive land owner and stockraiser, who lost his life in defense of
his family and prosperity in one of the Indian raids in 1847. In 1849
Antonio made a trip to California and the Santa Clara Valley; but the
following year he returned to Mexico to get a sister but was delayed
returning to California on account of the cholera. In 1851 he returned
to San Jose and worked as a farm hand; he was also engaged in hauling
lumber from the mills in the Santa Cruz mountains to San Jose and to
the New Almaden mines.
Mr. Montoya's marriage occurred on March 31, 1869, and united him with
Miss Maria Pelar Placida Zepada, a native of San Jose, born October 6,
1853, in an adobe house at the corner of Market and Pierce streets. She
is the daughter of Peter Zepada, a native of Mexico City, who had
removed to Northern California in the early '40s; he finally located in
San Jose and in time became a large landowner in the county. He married
Miss Carmen Martinez, who died in San Jose, as did her husband. Mrs.
Montoya was reared and schooled in San Jose grammar school and the
College of Notre Dame. Mr. and Mrs. Montoya were the parents of twelve
children; Antonio, at home; Charles, at home; William is married and
has two children and they reside at Coalinga; Margaret is the wife of
John Juarez and they have three children and reside in Los Gatos;
Alfred is at home; Albert served six months in the U. S. Army in the
World War; and is at home; Alexander served in the U. S. Army six
months,
and is at home; Virginia lives at home and is a devoted attendant to
her aged mother. Daniel, David, Amelia and Charles all died in infancy.
The sons all work together at ranching and running a hay press.
In 1873 the family removed to the Uvas Canyon near Morgan Hill, where
Mr. Montoya acquired 197 acres in the forest of the Uvas, among the
redwoods and madrone trees. The work of clearing and developing the
land was gradually accomplished and thirty acres were planted to
vineyard; a fine prune orchard has been planted and within a few years
will be a profitable venture. In 1900 the residence was erected and has
been the scene of many joyful gatherings of relatives and friends. Mr.
Montoya passed away at the age of seventy-nine, February 13, 1916, as
esteemed a respected citizen, a resident of this county for nearly half
a century.
Transcribed by Marie Clayton, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 412
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