Monterey County CA Archives Biographies.....Castro, Juan B. And Manuel 
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Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

JUAN B. CASTRO.—It is safe to say that no citizen of Monterey county is more
widely or favorably known throughout the central coast counties, than Don Juan
Bautista Castro. His family name has been a conspicuous one in the annals of old
Spanish history and the Spanish-American history of the last two centuries. He
is a native of the old city of Monterey, California, and was born June 24 (St.
John's day), 1836, and was the son of Hon. Simeon de Castro, deceased, the first
Alcalde of Monterey, later Judge of the First Instance, and one of the
wealthiest men of his day and a most distinguished figure in California's civil
and political life. The mother of our subject was Maria Antonia Pico de Castro,
a sister of Governor Pico, likewise a distinguished family. Juan B. inherited
many of the excellent traits of his father's character, a warm, loyal heart, a
most amiable and social nature, and a laudable business ambition. He received
his early schooling in Monterey. His father died in 1842, leaving a large landed
estate, and at the age of twenty-one he assumed the business control of this
property, embracing about eight leagues of land in Monterey county. He was one
of the first Californians to discern and concede the necessity of dividing up
and settling the old land grants of California, if they would have the State
develop in population and wealth. He demonstrated his faith in this theory by
subdividing a portion of the Castro estate and selling it off to actual
settlers, or leasing to those who were unable to buy. Also, in December, 1863,
he platted and laid the foundation of the present little thrifty city of
Castroville. In 1868 he subdivided the ranches Balsa Nueva and Moro Cojo, a
total of 39,000 acres.

  The city of Castroville, which he founded, grew rapidly and did a large
business until the coming of the Southern Pacific railroad, whereupon a share of
the business was directed to other points on this line. In December of that same
year he founded the Castroville Argus, which for a period flourished as one of
the most influential newspapers of the State. There is scarcely a public
enterprise of merit that Mr. Castro has not promptly identified himself with and
become a chief supporter of the same. He has always been a conspicuous figure in
local politics, and is a loyal, ardent Democrat. Mr. Castro has never failed to
do his utmost to promote the success of his party in every contest. He has
willingly expended thousands of dollars to maintain Democratic organization in
this county, when it was uphill business. He has always befriended the poor man,
often to his own detriment, and has always encouraged American labor by
employing it at good wages.

  In 1871 our subject was made the nominee for State Treasurer of California,
and received a flattering vote, his party being in the minority. Touching his
candidacy, we make the following clipping from the Stockton Daily Leader, which
is in touch with many other articles upon the subject that appeared in many
other leading State journals: "The State Treasurer is made by law the custodian
of the public moneys, hence in the choice of a candidate for that office the
people ought to be vigilant and prudent. Hon. J. B. Castro, of Castroville, is
announced as a candidate for the office of State Treasurer. He is a brother of
the late Governor Castro, of lower California, and also of Don Manuel Castro, a
respected citizen of San Francisco, and a member of a family honorably
identified with the history of the State. He has filled the office of Treasurer
of Monterey county for several terms, and discharged its duties in such a manner
as to win the approbation of all parties. We can say with truth that the people
of Monterey and adjoining counties honor Mr. Castro and would give him a nearly
unanimous vote for the office of State Treasurer. There is one other reason why
his nomination would be most gratifying, and that is because he is a native
Californian. That gallant people ought to have at least one representative upon
every ticket placed in the field, and the political party that ignores the
native Californian may count upon inevitable disaster and utter overthrow. The
Americans, who have professed such ardent friendship for the natives of our
favored State, must remember that they are to-day, as ever, alert, vigilant and
powerful, and that it is their boast and pride that they never turned their back
on a friend nor an enemy."

  Our subject was offered the nomination for the same office later on, but he
declined. He has twice held the office of Treasurer of Monterey county, and
several times has been Supervisor of the First District.

  Mr. Castro was married in 1868, to Miss Catalina, a daughter of the late Louis
Pombert, a California pioneer, further mention of whom appears in this volume in
the sketch of Juan Fombert, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Castro have three sons and four
daughters, namely: Juan B., Jr., Elijah, Jose, Louis, Lucy, Felicia and Maria,
and three who died in infancy.

  Mr. Castro's interests, landed and otherwise, are extensive, and his circle of
friends large throughout the State.

  General Castro, brother of our subject, now deceased, was a remarkable man,
and passed through a career at once brilliant and varied. In his death, not only
his relatives and immediate friends mourned, but according to Spanish history
all Christendon should have wept, for he was, without doubt, a lineal descendant
of the General Castro who expelled the Moors from Spain. The death of this
distinguished gentleman occurred April, 1891, at the residence of his brother,
Juan B. Castro.

  From the Castroville Enterprise, May 1, 1891, we add the following paragraphs:

GENERAL CASTRO'S DEATH-AN OLD HERO AND EARLY PIONEER PASSES AWAY.

  The woodman goes through the forest and at night time many a tree has fallen;
he comes again, and other trees fall, but we do not note his progress until some
special favorite of ours, or a grand old monarch of the forest is taken from us;
then we grieve and mourn over the ruthless work of the woodman's ax.

  Last Saturday night, at 3 A. M., General Manuel Castro, a man with an
individuality and character that marked him as a monarch oak in the forest of
life, was cut down by Death's sharp battle-ax. Here was a special favorite, a
man who had played many important parts in the history of California under the
old Spanish regime, and his death j will be a matter of regret to many of the
early pioneers who knew him and loved him for his goodness of heart and head.

  General Castro had been lying dangerously ill for some time at the residence
of his brother, Juan B., of this place, and though his death seemed sudden, as
death always does, still it was not unexpected. The deceased was a native of
Monterey county, and his life seems intimately connected and woven in with the
history of the same. Strong and stanch, and ever ready to advance the best
interests of those around him, Monterey county and California generally will
cherish the memory of him who helped to mold and make her early history.

  In his last hours of suffering he had the kind attention of his brother,
Supervisor J. B. Castro and wife, Mrs. C. Pomber de Castro, and her two nieces,
Misses Rufina and Rosa Pomber, daughters of the late Jose Manuel Pomber. One
striking coincidence is that General Castro was sponsor for the late Pomber,
father of the young ladies who were among his last attendants, and who ever
waited upon him day and night.

  The funeral services were held at 3 o'clock on Sunday. Many friends of the
deceased from Monterey, Watsonville and Salinas were present to pay their last
sad tribute to the dead.

  We are indebted to E. B. Kelley, who had the pleasure of being a personal warm
friend of the deceased, for the following interesting account of his life:

  General Castro was a remarkable man, and passed through a career at once
brilliant and varied. Born at the old presidio of Monterey (where the present
Catholic church stands) on Christmas day, 1821, he was ushered into Mexican rule
at the beginning of her independence from Spain, and was destined to play an
important role in the country's government. Mexico then included all the
territory from the gulf of Mexico west to the Pacific ocean, and north to the
northern boundary of California.

  His father was the late Simeon de Castro, the first Alcalde of Monterey, and
one of the wealthiest and most prominent men in California, afterward holding
the office of Judge and other offices of honor and trust. The mother was Maria
Antonia Pico de Castro, a sister of Governor Pico. Backed by a parentage so
distinguished and wealthy, he was given every opportunity that wealth and
influence could bring to him. Being naturally ambitious and possessing great
native ability, he improved all advantages. In 1839, at the early age of
eighteen years, he was Secretary and Collector of the port of Monterey, and
three years later, in 1842-'43, was Secretary to the Prefect of Monterey. He was
the prime mover in the revolt against Micheltorena, Governor of Alta California,
and took an active part throughout the troubles of 1844 and 1845. He was once
captured and exchanged, and was finally commissioned to make a treaty. Under the
administration of 1845 he was made Prefect of Monterey district and Lieutenant
of the Monterey company. He was little less distinguished in civil affairs, and
was the warm supporter of Governor Pico, against General Jose Castro. In 1846 he
was promoted as Captain of the Santa Barbara company, and received a grant of
eleven leagues of land, the celebrated Laguna Detache, but continued his
services as Prefect.

  In the war with the United States for the conquest of California, he was the
most prominent figure on the Mexican side, and fought General John C. Fremont's
army to the last. He was a patriot and fought in defense of his government and
its citizens. His trouble with General Cambuston is too well known to review at
this time. He was sent south in July, 1846, as coinidonado to effect a
reconciliation between his cousin, General Jose Castro, and Governor Pico, who
was his uncle. On the departure of General Jose Castro, he was elected to
command at Los Angeles.

  General Castro would never admit that he was, and it is not known whether he
was, one of the officers captured and paroled by Stockton's men. On the outbreak
of the Flores revolt, he was put in command of the northern division, and
commanded during the entire Natividad campaign. After the war he fled to Mexico
with Flores, where he continued in the military service several years. He was
violently opposed to the treaty of peace, and for his opposition was, together
with several other generals, arrested by the Santa Ana faction, but was released
and appointed to command in Lower California. He afterward yielded the command
to General Negrete, and venturing to San Francisco in 1854, has since resided
the greater part of his time in California. To the moment of his death he
remained loyal to his country, and never became an American citizen, preferring
to spend the remainder of his life true to the sentiments and principles for
which he had staked his life and fortunes. One thing noticeable in his
character, however, was the interest he manifested in the growth and prosperity
of his native State— California. The American people, appreciating the patriotic
desires of the General, joined Mexico in pronouncing his conduct brave, heroic
and patriotic. Indeed, all who knew his kind, gentle manners, could only the
more admire his devotion to his lost cause.

  During the Maximilian war he aided in raising troops, arms and money to fight
Maximilian, and, together with Generals Hocho and Bega, accomplished much in
that direction.

  For the distinguished services rendered by him to the Government, General
Diaz, President of Mexico, tendered the appointment of colonel and
brevet-general in the regular army, with full pay, or offered him the choice of
going on the retired list of the army, with half pay, and in addition a patent
to twenty square leagues of land, on condition that he would reside upon Mexican
territory. To this condition he would never accede, and declined the offer made
him.

  The General was refined and courteous, but firm in his opinions and his
demeanor. He was a Roman Catholic, and never belonged to any secret society of
any kind. While he loved society and was well known for his gallantry, he
preferred to remain single, and therefore never married.

  Two brothers, Juan B. and Leandro Castro, survive him; while two sisters,
Juana Castro de Merritt and Maria Castro de Sanchez, and four brothers, Manuel,
Jr., Pedro Jose, Antonio and Jose Francis, preceded him to the grave. In his
death not only his relatives and immediate friends mourn, but according to
Spanish history all Christendom should weep, for lie was, without doubt, a
lineal descendant of the General Castro who expelled the Moors from Spain, under
appointment (as Generalissimo) of a king of Spain who was canonized and made a
saint.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.



HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.


CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.


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