San Benito County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....MARENTIS, Pedro June 23 1917 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Susan Cherry-Boyer SueBdoo4me@netscape.net December 19, 2004, 9:50 am The Free Lance Friday June 29, 1917 Pedro Marentis Pioneer Citizen Death of Old San Juan Resident Marks Passing of a Picturesque Early Day Character---Was Miner, Freighter and Stockman. In the death of Pedro Marentis at San Juan last Saturday, as chronicled in Monday's Free Lance, the Mission town loses one of its oldest citizens and head of one of the largest families in this part of the state. Pedro Marentis came to California from Mexico in 1850, going to work in the mines of Eldorado County. Later he engaged in the packing of supplies into the mines, and being a skilled rider broke his own horses for that purpose. After spending a few years in Eldorado County he came to San Juan and went into the business of freighting supplies to the outlying ranches. Ox teams were used in this work and when his business grew he bought two teams and hired "Nigger" Bill, a famous early day character of these parts, to drive one team. One of their first freighting jobs was the hauling of the redwood posts used in fencing the Laveaga ranch in the Quien Sabe district, and these fences are still standing in fairly good condition. Mr. Marentis made some money in the freighting business, then invested in cattle and sheep, continuing in the stock business until age forced him to retire. Mr. Marentis was 84 years old at the time of his death. Nearly sixty years ago he married Miss Claudia Estrada at San Juan, who survives him. Fourteen children were born to the couple, eight of whom are living, six girls and two boys. Of these one is a resident of San Juan and another, Pedro Marentis Jr., a resident of Hollister. There are thirty-two grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren of this pioneer couple living and the family is scattered all through this section of the state. Additional Comments: San Benito County, Burial, Removal & Transit Permits - Issued 1911-1921; MARENTIS, Pedro.....June 23, 1917 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanbenito/obits/gob3828marentis.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 2.5 Kb