Lydia and Albert Dojaquez
March 1, 2009
Long-time Arivaca residents Lydia and Albert Dojaquez come from two pioneer families of Basque ancestry, which settled in the Southern Arizona more than a century ago.
Lydia’s ancestor, don Vicente de la Ossa, had land grants in California, in the mid-19th century, where his house is a historical monument. One of his sons, Antonio, was hauling freight into Arizona. He brought his family to Tucson and was hauling ore to the smelter at La Noria (Lochiel). They were on their way to Sonora when his wife, Carolina, announced that she wasn’t going any further than that—30 feet from the border, but on the American side of the line. So Antonio went on to Mexico and got some heifers and brought them back to the then open range of the San Rafael valley. Antonio farmed and sold meat to the mines in the Patagonia mountains and the family raised 13 children all together. Antonio died of an accident in 1902 but Carolina kept the ranch going. All of the sons attended school at St. Michaels’s College in Santa Fe. Lydia’s grandparents were Osbaldo & Teresa de la Ossa. Her parents were Angelita and Avelino de la Ossa.
Lydia’s mother’s family, the Eliases, was also a long-standing family in the San Rafael Valley. Her parents were Manuel and Aldina Elias. He was the son of Abundio Elias, who is mentioned in a recent Journal of Arizona History article about the parcioneros, or co-owning parcel holders, of the San Rafael de la Zanja Mexican land grant, headquartered at Santa Cruz, Sonora, but extending into what became the U. S. Instead of one family receiving a land grant, in this case a number of families owned it jointly. Of course, this caused innumerable difficulties when time came for the U. S. government to decide if it was valid and who owned it.
Lydia was raised in the de la Ossa family home at Lochiel, surrounded by her extended family, whose tenacity in holding the land was undoubted. Her grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s houses are still there, as is her own. Lydia attended the Patagonia schools and Lourdes Academy in Nogales.
Albert was born in 1930 on the family homestead near Sonoita, where his oldest brother still lives. Albert’s father was Michael Dojaquez, who was born in Mexico, of Basque ancestry, but came to Arizona and became a citizen at the age of 21. He worked as a cowboy in the Sonoita area. His mother was Felicidad Escalante, who was also from the same area and whose brother, Charlie, is in the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Albert’s oldest brother Henry still lives on the family homestead near Sonoita. Albert attended Patagonia schools but his parents died young, so he had to go to work to help support the family at an early age. He was in demand as a cowboy, because even then his gift for understanding and handling cattle was recognized.
Lydia met Albert when he was the head wrangler at the Circle Z Ranch near Patagonia. She turned 18 in June of 1955, and after taking a nursing assistant program at Carondelet Holy Cross hospital they were married in July. At first they lived at the Circle Z, in the “Honeymoon Cottage”, but couldn’t take a honeymoon because it was screwworm season! After that they moved around for awhile until Albert got a job at the Continental Feed Lot. They have been on the west side of the Santa Ritas ever since. In fact, Albert was in the posse for the Santa Cruz County sheriff when the Boy Scouts went missing on Josephine Peak.
While at Continental, Albert learned a lot of veterinary medicine skills from Dr. Conden, which stood him in good stead in his work with cattle. When Manerd Gayler r owned the Montana Ranch, he hired Albert as a cowboy. Ramon Gonzalez had been there before him, and told Albert all the old stories and showed him all the far-back corners of the ranch. Albert worked there until 1974, when they moved to where they live now in Arivaca. This was where they wanted to raise their three boys, in a small town and rural school. Albert worked in bus maintenance and as a school bus driver for the Sopori children until he retired in 1992, but of course always doing cowboying on the side, as well as shoeing horses and butchering. For years he rode the Arivaca pasture for Dale Smith. Lydia was also hired at the Sopori School, where she was the librarian for 26 years. She would rather be nursing, however, so when the opportunity arose she became the Sopori school nurse until she also retired.
Now they both keep busy doing anything they can around the house and yard, keeping up with grandchildren. Lydia’s house is like a museum of memories. Albert always has projects and works on the local ranches whenever possible. He is a great story teller in his own right. He thrives on work, despite a couple of recent accidents. They are two of the people that make Arivaca such a wonderful place to live
References: “To win, hold, and lose the land: the families of Santa Cruz and the San Rafael de la Zanja Land Grant” by James M. Wood and Thomas A. Wood, Journal of Arizona History, Summer 2008.
“Antonio de la Ossa” by Richard G. Schaul, Arizona Cattlelog, November 1973. Lydia Dojaquez interview
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11 Responses to “Lydia and Albert Dojaquez”
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Looking for more information on this family.
Albert was born in 1930 on the family homestead near Sonoita, where his oldest brother still lives. Albert’s father was Michael Dojaquez.
My mother is a niece of Michael Dojaquez. Her Name Eloise Carreon
As a little girl I went to the ranch, I knew that I loved horses. I now have a ranch in the east county of San Diego.
trying to find more out about my family, but it seems like a bunch of dead ends.
My Father was Jim Dojaquez born 1923, he had 2 kids myself (Stephen) and a daughter, Stephanie, my Father died in 1983, I only visited his side of the family once I was very young. I know of a Uncle Bob and Albert. is this that Albert?
This is in answer to Stephen Dojaquez….yes, this is your Uncle Albert. I’m Debbie Dojaquez, Alfred Dojaquez’s daughter. I met you when I was young before your father died and have many fond memories of my “Unlce Ray”. Uncle Bob died in July 2004 and I was at his side.
My parents would love to hear from you. Write them at Al & Delores Dojaquez, P.O. Box 659, Sonoita, AZ 85367-0659.
I have some more information to Stephen inquiry:
My mother Eloise Carreon, Micheal Dojaquez niece, said she remember that Michael had two brothers but doesn’t remember their names. The brothers lived in Santa Cruz, Mexico. So Stephen your father could be a brother to Michael. My Mon also remembers the name of Alfred Dojaquez she just doesn’t remember where his name fits in. One of these could be my Mother Godfather, she just doesn’t remember their names.
We are trying to plan a Family reunion this next year.
I have such fond memories of the ranch, I just spoke to Henry Dojaquez the other day and he will be 93 this year and still feed stock.
If you are interested please e-mail me, and I will give you updates as we get closer to the time this will be planned.
Geri Carreon
My mother was Mary Hortenisa Dojaquez Jimenez , sister to Albert , Henry, John , Jim(Ray) ,Bob ,Freddy , Herman and Frank all sons of Miguel and Felicitas Dojaquez .If you need some history about the family , please email me and I will tell you all I know.
My father was Frank Dojaquez son of Miguel and Felicitas Dojaquez. I have fond memories of Uncle John and his daughters, also memories of Tia Weda and her children. My older sisters (Paulette, Jeanette, Yvonne and Peggy) would have had more contact with the Dojaquez side of the family than I.
Although, I did have the pleasure of meeting Uncle Alfred and Aunt Delores around 1992, however I failed to stay in contact and recently became aware of the passing of Uncle Alfred. Thanks for the contact information for Aunt Delores I would like to send condolences to his family on behalf of my family. Also, would like more information that anyone can share with regards to the Dojaquez family history and hopefully am not to late to receive information about the family reunion.
My sister Yvonne would like to hear from any member of the Dojaquez’s so that she and the rest of us can become aquainted with our relatives from our dad’s side, therefore please contact her at (209) 629-8877 or write to 910 Elmo Ct. Manteca, California, 95336. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
This is in reference to the last posting from Richelle Dojaquez White.
My grandmother was Jesus Dojaquez, one of Miguel’s sister. My mom only remembers 3 sisters, Manuella, and Carmen, but there could be more, one of Jesus’s daughter is Eloise Yanez Carreon, my mother is noe 93 a few months younger than Henry.
Henry Dojaquez still lives on the ranch in Patagonia. She would tell me stories of her youth when she would visit the Ranch with her uncle Miguel. Jesus had three daughters and supported them by herself, my mother fondly remembers how Miguel would help them.
We had planned to visit in January, but as things would have it we were faced with some road blocks. I’m still in contact with Henry and his son JR.
Carmen was refered to as Tia Weda one ofJesus’s sister. This is so interesting to us. We are going to visit in the middel of Feburary. My name is Geri Carreon-Thomas and my phone number is 619-889-9329. I have a small ranch in San Diego’s east county.
I still remember the picture of Miguel that hung at the ranch, I was so amazed with his beautiful blue eyes. I would sit and listen to Henry tell me stories of Mike’s horsemanship. Henry taught me alot about his horsemanship, when I would visit as a very young girl. He was so instrumental in my journey with my horses.
I am Margarita Jimenez Montero, my Mother was Maria Hortencia Dojaquez Jimenez, sister to Bertha Jimenez Hess. This is just information on our uncle Albert Dojaquez that passes away a week ago today (Feb 19 2011) in Arivaca Arizona. He is the brother to Uncle Henry and Tia Minnie and the rest of the brothers and sister who are all now deceased. Uncle Henry and Tia Minnie are the only ones left from my
Grandparents Miguel and Felicitas Dojaquez children. History about me, I live in Phoenix Az. am now retired as of 3 years ago. My eldest Son is also named Henry stays in touch with uncle Henry as much as possible, he lives in Tucson. Contact me for further info. I also have a son that lives in the San Diego area, Imperial Beach Ca. Margarita
On behalf of Frank Dojaquez’s family we would like to send our deepest sympathy and heart felt condolences to the family of Uncle Albert and Aunt Lydia Dojaquez. Our hearts and prayers are with you and yours. If someone could provide an address where flowers or charitable contributions (in lieu of flowers) can be sent we would greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Frank’s children
Margarita Jimenez Montero, so sorry to hear about Albert. We have been planning a visit to Henry’s in March. We are still on track I hope. My mother Eloise Carreon, would be a cousin to Albert lives in San Diego with me. My phone number is 619-478-1423. I spoke with Frank’s girls this morning and they said you might plan to visit San Diego, please contact me if so.
Love and Respect
Geraldine Carreon-Thomas
Hello, I am daugher of Henry E Dojaquez . My dad is only living brother left beside my Aunt Minnie. I live in the south, Tennessee. I have three daughers, Rebecca, Jaime and Amber and four grandbabies. You can call me on my cell number 423-337-1104 any time. I would like to start a family book with addresses and phone numbers. Office phone # 423-351-0745 and email address helen.west@us.schott.com. Love Helen