Santiago Viosca Solar 1827-1895
Born: July 24, 1827
Died: June 30, 1895 Father: Joaquin H. Viosca Mother: Maria Josefa Antonia Solar Siblings: Joe Viosca 1830-1863 Wife: Rosalia Carlota Navarro Castro: 1835–1890 Marriage: Aug 14, 1858 |
He is a remarkably fine looking gentleman, somewhat past middle age, his strongly marked face full of force and character, dark eyes, piercing but kindly, and hair just tinged with gray. (1)
Having been ill for several months, and fearing the worst, on the 15th August 1894 Don Santiago entered his office, sat at his large desk, and with great solemnity began to write; 'In the City of La Paz, Capital of the Southern district of the territory of Lower California on the 15th day of August of the year eighteen hundred and ninety four, I, James Viosca (1) resident of this port being in the full use of my physical and interlectual powers, I order my last will as follows.'
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In a clear handwriting Don Santiago denotes all of his wordly possesions, from the Island of Carmen, to some small coins which ocupy a space on the bookshelf in his office and which he wishes his sons to receive. He mentions each and every building, whether of brick or lumber, he mentions the fruit trees in his garden and he mentions the desk at which he is sitting. The items and properties and money are all divided equally amongst his remaining family, his children and one favored niece. And then, once everything has been bundled into the appropriate clauses, Don Santiago bequeaths himself a final wish, that a statue may be, 'built of marble in form of a statue upon a pedestal of granite that may represent my person, it will be placed in front of the two story house in which I dwelled, in remembrance of the founder of the Masonry in the Terrritory, with the following inscription, 'Founder and tireless worker of the Masonic Institution in the Territory 1870 and on the reverse side 'Venerable ad vitan 32°.'
As can be deferred from this final request, Don Santiago Viosca considered that his work and colaboration with the Masonic Lodge of La Paz, would certainly be the greatest of eulogies, and it was not without merit, since he was and is undoubtably considered by all as the founder of the Freemason Society in the City of La Paz and in Lower California. On the 22nd September 1869, Viosca and other prominent members of society, mainly foreigners like Viosca himself and several members of his wife´s family, had established the league in La Paz. At first they held closed door meetings in the houses of the members, but then started a fund for the construction of a temple. Donations came from Viosca, his brother in laws Tirso and Manuel Hidalgo de los Santos, his wife´s nephew Pablo Hidalgo Navarro, Antonio and Octavio Ruffo, his wife´s nephew Gregorio Padilla Navarro, los hermanos Mendoza, Henry S. Brooks and various other influential citizens. It wasn't until the 24th Junio 1874 that the temple was finally opened, built on land that Don Viosca donated, and situated at the back of his own dwelling.
As can be deferred from this final request, Don Santiago Viosca considered that his work and colaboration with the Masonic Lodge of La Paz, would certainly be the greatest of eulogies, and it was not without merit, since he was and is undoubtably considered by all as the founder of the Freemason Society in the City of La Paz and in Lower California. On the 22nd September 1869, Viosca and other prominent members of society, mainly foreigners like Viosca himself and several members of his wife´s family, had established the league in La Paz. At first they held closed door meetings in the houses of the members, but then started a fund for the construction of a temple. Donations came from Viosca, his brother in laws Tirso and Manuel Hidalgo de los Santos, his wife´s nephew Pablo Hidalgo Navarro, Antonio and Octavio Ruffo, his wife´s nephew Gregorio Padilla Navarro, los hermanos Mendoza, Henry S. Brooks and various other influential citizens. It wasn't until the 24th Junio 1874 that the temple was finally opened, built on land that Don Viosca donated, and situated at the back of his own dwelling.
Santiago Viosca Solar was the son of spaniards; his father Joaquin H Viosca and his mother Maria Josefa Antonia Solar were from the province of Cataluna, of the town of Catello, principality of Barcelona but had emigrated to Florida, United States of America shortly before Santiago´s birth on the 24 july 1827. The family; his parents, himself and his brother José, then settled in Louisiana, U.S.A where the brothers grew up and went to school. His brother José married in Louisiana but he and his wife died about 1863, leaving two small children; Florinda Josephine and José Viosca Garcia. Santiago Viosca took a keen interest in these nephews, especially Florinda, who is mentioned in his will.
Viosca left Louisiana in the middle 1850's and arrived at San Antonio, Lower California as representative for the company Wells Fargo & Company and soon became associated with Antonio Navarro in the mines of the area of Triunfo, Lower California.
Viosca left Louisiana in the middle 1850's and arrived at San Antonio, Lower California as representative for the company Wells Fargo & Company and soon became associated with Antonio Navarro in the mines of the area of Triunfo, Lower California.
On the 14th August 1858 at the church San Antonio de Padua in San Antonio, Viosca married Rosalia Navarro Castro, youngest daughter of Antonio Navarro. Rosalia was 22 and Viosca 31. The godparents for the marriage were Ramon Adolfo Hidalgo Navarro (nephew to Rosalia) & Dolores Navarro (sister to Rosalia) and the witnesses were Pedro Navarrete, Eustanancio Cota & others.
Eleven months after the marriage of Viosca and Rosalia, on the 7th June 1859, their first son Josè Santiago Antonio Roberto de Jesus 'James' was born. By now Viosca was living in La Paz, Lower California, where four more children were born; Rosa in 1860, Eloisa, 1863, José 'Joseph' Cipriano , 1864 and José Leonides in 1869.
This was an advantageous matrimony, for both parties: Viosca gained through the political, commercial and social influence of a family well established in San Antonio; his future brother in law, Ramón Navarro Castro(**) was involved in the local and territorial politics, the Hidalgo de los Santos brothers; Tirso and Manuel, established commercial enterprisers in the region, were already married to the elder sisters of Rosalia and a third sister of Rosalia was married to Francisco Padilla, also influencial on the peninsula. Antonio Navarro, on the other hand, gained a wealthy son in law, with connections to the United States and american companies willing to invest in mining and other enterprises on the Peninsula. Throughout his life Viosca was involved in many commercial and political enterprises.
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- In 1862 the then Governor of Baja California, Teodor Riveroll commisioned Viosca, in his capacitation as a local oficial, to make a report of all the historic outposts on the Peninsula on behalf of the Mexican Government. "A recognized authority on mining districts. Viosca was 'a gentleman qualified by his oficial position', to furnish authentic data. Upon it's completion in May 1862, Viosca compiled a report which he dispatched from La Paz to the Citizen Governor of the Territory; Ramón Navarro, his brother in law, who by then had succeeded Riveroll as Governor. The detailed and scholarly report by Viosca demonstrates his love and interest for history, wild life, the people of the Peninsula and a knowledge of minerology and mining.
- On the 27 de enero de 1863 Viosca signed a contract with the government, along with his brother in law Ramon Navarro and the american citizen Jacobo P. Leese, of Monterrey, U.S.A, to exploit guano on the islands and pacific coast of Lower California, with an end to enter the internacional market. With the success of this business, and with an interest of procuring more, one year later in 1864 Leese and Santiago Viosca were the principal promoters of the Lower California Colonization and Mining Company, signing a deal with the Mexican Government to colonize part of the Lower California Peninsula, which would be later known as 'La Concession Leese' but which was never implemented.
- In 1866 Viosca still held the position of representative of the Wells, Fargo & Co., for the mining company 'Triunfo Siver Mining Company of the Lower California' and is recognized in a report made in 1866 on mining on the peninsula including conditions, landscape and mineralogy. (full text) and in 1867 he is cited as being the commercial agent for the mining company Kholer Brothers and representiving the miners Henry S. Brooks and L.C.D. Cunningham.
On the corner of what were then known as 3rd and Independance Street, Viosca built, building by building, the family home, which was to be thought of as the best and most elegant house on the peninsular. Don Santiago and his wife Doña Rosalia, were, we are told, excelent hosts, holding many veladas, dinners and social gatherings at their home and where the food and wine flowed freely. Fanny B. Ward in an article written for the Sacramento Daily Record in 1889.
Rosa María Mendoz Salgado, in her book; Crónicas de mi puerto La Paz 1830-1959, gives a delightful window into the social atmosphere of La Paz and often cites the Viosca family.
....invited to attend the house of Mr. General José María Rangel, which was the house allocated for the dance, a place for dancing. It was very lively, with a large group of people cordially invited. Both General Rangel and his nice wife were, as always, fine, attentive and generous to the guests, and the party lasted until three in the morning. Abundant and excellent wines and spirits were distributed and causing great interest, especially a hot punch that was prepared with the greatest care. At a certain time, after dancing some pieces, we were invited to have dinner at Mr. Viosca's house, and we must say that it was rich and conveniently served. Mr. Viosca and his appreciable Señora gave the guests the finest attention.
And in 1889 Fanny B. Ward, a reporter for the newspaper 'Sacramento Daily Record', invited to Viosca's home in La Paz, wrote an article describing La Paz and the Viosca´s home.
'Escorted by this distingue Consul..., your correspondent proceeded to the casa of the former through the dusty streets of the "City of Peace," which, in the fading twilight, looked more than ever like the city of a dream. Imagine a high wall over-topped by palms and overgrown with flowering verdure; a gate in this wall— unlocked by the Consul with a key from his pocket — which, when opened, heralded an entrance by tinkling bells: odors of tropical fruits and flowers, intensified, by falling dews; beauty and fragrance everywhere; a graveled pathway hedged by roses, leading to the vine-wreathed veranda that half surrounds the inner court, inclosing a fountain and garden, the veranda, long, wide and deep as a town hall, rambling away down the other wing of the great casa, past dining-rooms and kitchen — that portion if it nearest the main entrance is really an immense out-of-doors drawing-room, furnished with luxurious couches, rockers and reclining chairs, tables scattered about, book-shelves here and there, statues and bric-a-brac, flowers in bowls, in baskets and vases — the whole softly illuminated by tall lamp and candelabra, with rose-colored shades, producing an effect of indescribable beauty, combined with the fragrance and the sweet night air.'...
...Afterwards we made a tour of the house, which is one of the most delightful I have ever seen in any country — with a wide hall running through the middle from veranda to veranda, and large, airy rooms, exquisitely furnished, upon either side. Whether the eye rests indoors or out, there is something to delight the most cultured taste and satisfy the senses. Upon the walls are peculiar paintings, some of them of the early Spanish school — having been taken from some ruined Mission churches. There are books in all languages, flowers everywhere, and a grand piano upon which the senorita is an accomplished player.
Rosalia, the youngest daughter of Antonio Navarro 1785-1862 & Josefa Castro Miranda, was born on the 26th September 1835 in San Antonio, Lower California and baptized at San Antonio de Padua church on the 18th October 1835. Sus padrinos fueron Don Jésus José Lopéz & Doña Josefa Lebrija.
In 1858 she married Santiago Viosca Solar, and the family moved to La Paz, where she would live until her death in 1890. Although she didn't name any of her children ´Carlota´, several nieces and great nieces would be named after her; Carlota Hidalgo Navarro, Maria Carlota Ferreira Hidalgo, Carlota Alicia Unger Ferreira & Carlota Saenz Unger.
In 1858 she married Santiago Viosca Solar, and the family moved to La Paz, where she would live until her death in 1890. Although she didn't name any of her children ´Carlota´, several nieces and great nieces would be named after her; Carlota Hidalgo Navarro, Maria Carlota Ferreira Hidalgo, Carlota Alicia Unger Ferreira & Carlota Saenz Unger.
In 1881 she is described by Fanny B. Ward:
The Señora Viosca- a tall and stately lady with face as striking as her husband’s, expressing intense capacity for love or hate, rage or grief, softened by true goodness of heart and a happy life —came to welcome us with charming cordiality, expressed in Castellano, for the lady speaks no English. Her children, who were educated in the best schools of the United States, have all flitted from the home-nest — the daughters to their husbands' homes, and the sons to business in the great world, all but the youngest, a lovely girl of twenty years,(3) who was educated in San Francisco and speaks English as well as Spanish and French.
There is a wonderful charm about the aristocratic Mexican, male or female, which no phlegmatic Saxon ever possessed or can acquire. Possibly it comes from their numerical rarity, became of which, they have ruled the interior masses from generation to generation by the power of superior knowledge, refinement, and wealth. Besides, there is something of the rich vintage and warm sun of the tropics in their veins, and their gentle courtesy and dignified grace are an unconscious heritage. Of this ultra "best society" of the Rio Californias the Senorita Viosca is an exceedingly ''fair" representative — the perfected flower of her race.
One by one the Viosca children left home. Their youngest son Leonides had died at the age of 18 in 1887 and three years later, on the 20th August 1890 Don Santiago became a widow on the death of his wife Rosalia. Viosca also had another son out of wedlock; José Eduardo Viosca Navarro who was born in 1873 in La Paz. On his baptism he is said to be the 'natural' son of Santiago Viosca and Pilar Navarro.He and his mother appear in Sonora in the 1900´s.
In Don Santiago´s latter years he was accompañied by his niece Florinda Josephine Viosca, who looked after him during his illness at his home in La Paz.
Santiago Viosca died on the 30th June 1895 and is buried in La Paz Cemetery next to his wife Rosalia.
In Don Santiago´s latter years he was accompañied by his niece Florinda Josephine Viosca, who looked after him during his illness at his home in La Paz.
Santiago Viosca died on the 30th June 1895 and is buried in La Paz Cemetery next to his wife Rosalia.
Children of Santiago Viosca Solar & Rosalia Navarro Castro
Born on the 7th June 1859 in the United States, James, as he was known, was the eldest son of Santiago Viosca Solar and Rosalia Navarro Castro. He was baptized at the church of San Antonio de Padua, San Antonio, Lower California on the 19th September 1859. His godparents were his maternal grandparents Antonio Navarro and Josefa Castro de Navarro.
Educated in the United States he then returned to his family home in La Paz, Lower California. In 1883 he was appointed U.S. Vice Consul and on September 15, 1885 he was appointed as the U.S. Vice Consul to La Paz, Lower California, where his father was Consul. On the death of his father in 1895 he was made acting U.S. Consul at La Paz. On the 15th September 1892 he married Mamie C Blaydes at Garland, Arkansas, United States but his wife died four years later in childbirth in La Paz, leaving two small sons: James Blaydes Viosca and Robert Owings Viosca. Since His mother and father were by now deceased, James placed his sons in the care of their maternal grandparents; the physician John Alexander Blaydes and his wife Mary Jane in Hot Springs, Garland, Arkansas, where the children grew up and went to school. On the 25 May 1898 in La Paz, B.C. he married his 2nd Cousin Maria Isabel Clementina Hidalgo Savin (1877-1939), daughter of the esteemed doctor Manuel Matias Hidalgo Navarro 1840-1920 and Maria Elena Savin Cota. |
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Isabel was only 22 years of age. whilst James was 39. From this marriage there was one son, Carlos Manuel Viosca Hidalgo, and three daughters; Laura Rose, Isabel Clementina, and the youngest Rosa, who was intellectually disabled.
James, like his father, dedicated himself to political activities between Mexico and U.S.A., to the production of leather, the extraction of salt and other commercial activities. The relationship between the families Viosca, Navarro and Hidalgo, personal and business, was close. James was involved in all his father's commercial activities, and according to his father´s will, already owned a share of the Isle of Carmen and the salt mines before his father´s death in 1895.
James, like his father, dedicated himself to political activities between Mexico and U.S.A., to the production of leather, the extraction of salt and other commercial activities. The relationship between the families Viosca, Navarro and Hidalgo, personal and business, was close. James was involved in all his father's commercial activities, and according to his father´s will, already owned a share of the Isle of Carmen and the salt mines before his father´s death in 1895.
The half of Carmen Island, with all its lands, waters, roads and railroads, minerals, tools, carts, mules, locomotives, railcars, buildings, machinery, lights, vessels and all that exists thereon, which I own with my children valued at $50.000.00
Sixth: I declare that I leave my elder son James the fourth part of the half of Carmen Island which I posess in conformity with Claus 4th and all the furniture and utensils at my office and the Inventory.(*)
Apart from the multiple businesses he was involved with, and his work as U.S. Consul to La Paz, Viosca Jnr., also owned the Viosca Tannery which was situated in La Paz, where he took full advantage of the prime resources on the peninsula; the cattle hides, the salt from the island, the special tanning bark from the tree Bursera Microphylla, grew in La Paz and the strategic position of La Paz to ship leather soles worldwide. He was also involved in the copper and silver mines of the Progreso Mining Co.
Like his father, James Viosca had a keen interest in the peninsula of Lower California, its wildlife, history and soils. In 1887 he assisted the naturalist M. Abbott Frazer on a tour of the peninsula. After the trip, and on the findings of Abbott, William Brewster named a pigeon, not known of beforehand, as 'The Viosca Band Tailed Pigeon´, in honor of James Viosca who had accompañied him on the trail.
At Mr. Frazar's request I have named this bird after Mr.Viosca, the U.S. Consul at La Paz, who has been most kind and helpful in furthering the success of Mr. Frazar's explorations. |
Just as his father before him, James was ill for some time before his death, and made out his will on the 12th August 1904, where he leaves everything to his wife Isabel, including real estate of 10.000 dollars and personal property of 34, 700 dollars, which included properties and real estates in La Paz and in San Francisco.
His second executor, in case of the death of his wife Isabel, would be his father in law Manuel M. Hidalgo Navarro and the third executor would be his brother José C. Viosca. He died young at the age of 51 years on the 5th February 1911 of Bright's desease. At the time of his death he was living at Manzana 11, Calle del Comercio #106, La Paz , with his wife Isabel and was being attended by his father in law Dr. Manuel M Hidalgo, who was living with him. His children; James Blaydes Viosca 17 years old was residing San Francisco, Robert Owings Viosca 16 years, was residing in Hot Springs, Arkansas and the girls; Laura of 10 years, Isabel 9, Rosa 6, were all residing at that moment in San Francisco where they were in boarding school. |
Spouse 1: Mamie C Blaydes: 1865–1896
James Viosca Blaydes: 1894–1935 Robert Owings Viosca Blaydes: 1895–1972 Spouse 2: María Isabel Clementina Hidalgo Savin:1877–1939 |
Witnesses of the probate were Dr. Manuel M Hidalgo Navarro, cirujano medico , Wm H Rocholl of Haverton Hill, Durham who at that time was living in La Paz at Block 14, corner of the streets 2° and Constitution and Frank W. Moore of London, living at Block 54, 3° Street and Independencia calles in La Paz. The latter two being partners of Viosca in the Viosca Tannery.
When her husband died Ysabel took her children to San Francisco to live, where her daughters attended Catholic convent boarding schools. She was still young and left with two teenage step sons and her three daughters, Isabel , Laura and the youngest, Rose, who suffered from Down's Syndrome. She was very close with all of her Hidalgo family in Mazatlán, and during the summer months her cousins and aunts would stay with her in San Francisco, enjoying a break from the heat of Mazatlán, not to mention the summer society season.
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![]() Laura Rose Viosca Hidalgo, the eldest daughter of Josè Santiago Antonio Roberto de Jesus Viosca Navarro and María Isabel Clementina Hidalgo Savin was born on August 14, 1901 at La Paz, Baja California, Mexico. She was educated in San Francisco, where she and her sister attended the Sacred Heart boarding school, they then attended finishing school in Paris, and their summers were spent in parties and travelling.
Mrs Isabel Hidalgo de Viosca, prominent in spanish circles in San Francisco is spending this summer at the Feather River Inn. She is accompanied by Miss Laura Viosca and Miss Isabel Viosca.15 july 1917 San Francisco. Oakland Tribune ![]() In the spring of 1920, Laura and Isabel accompanied their mother, who was by now a widow, to spend the weekend at the hacienda of their family friend, Ben Johnston, who owned a large sugar cane industry in Los Mochis. The party included several men and women who were prominent in the social circles of several Eastern Cities. Clad only in bathing suits, eighteen guests at a house party of an American sugar magnate at Sinaloa, Mexico, including Miss Laura and Miss Isabel Viosca and their mother, of San Francisco, escaped death at the hands of an attacking band of Mexican Indians by fleeing to the protection of an armored train manned by Mexican soldiers. The story of the attack and the escape was told yesterday by the girls on their arrival here from Mazatlán, aboard the Pacific Mail liner Newport.
The girls had gone to the swimming pool near the hacienda, when a Japanese servant ran toward them crying that the Indians were coming. Frightened, the girls scrambled from the pool and ran to the house seeking the men folk. At this moment, according to Miss Laura Viosca, the Indians appeared and the entire party, seizing what wraps they could find, ran to Johnston´s private car. Miss Isabel Viosca said that they owed their lives to the fact that the Indians stopped to loot the hacienda. This delay gave the men time to get the car under way, but the Indians soon reappeared, shooting and yelling, and clad in the garments of the women and the dress clothes of the men, they gave chase to the car, firing several shots at the fleeing party. Luckily all escaped, helped by a battalion of Mexican soldiers who attached Johnstons car to an armored train bound for Mazatlán, where they took refuge with their mother's cousin, María Ferreira Hidalgo de Unger. A week later the three woman took the liner 'Newport' to San Francisco, in company of Louis Bradbury. Again in 1924 we find the sisters, and their mother, among the guests at the inauguration of the summer season at the fashionable Del Monte Lodge at Pebble Beach. "Two golf tournaments, one for men and one for women, and scores of dinner and and supper dancing parties at Del Monte, Del Monte Lodge, and summer homes at Pebble Beach made the summer inaugural of the season here last weekend a prediction of gay months to come among society folk." " Del Monte Lodge, which promises in future to be one of the favorite meeting places for society.”
Laura died on October 28, 1963 at St Mary's Hospital in San Francisco, California after a short illness and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, San Rafael, San Francisco. In addition to her husband she was survived by a son, Peter, and her sister, Isabel. Her husband Randolph died 26 years later at the age of 93.
![]() Dr. Randolph Gove Flood - Died in San Francisco Oct. 9, 1989; beloved husband of the late Laura de Viosca Flood; survived by his son Peter H. Flood of Ketchum, and his brother Raymond Oliver Flood of San Francisco. Randolph Flood was born in Kobe, Japan, November 21, 1895. His father, James Flood was owner of the Flood Shipping Line out of San Francisco, Randolph returned to San Francisco shortly thereafter and was present during the great earthquake and fire. He attended Grant School and Lowell High School of this city; going on to Stanford University and Medical School. After an Internship at Davies Hospital in New York he entered into private practice. Later he became Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford Hospital and Chief of Pediatrics at St. Mary’s Hospital and was best known for his work in treating Meningitis. After retiring from active practice he spent many years studying crib death. Friends are invited to the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Steiner and Green Sts., San Francisco 9:15 am Friday Oct 13. A Rosary will be held at Halsted N. Gray-Carew & English, 1123 Sutter St, San Francisco at 7:30 pm Oct. 12, 1989." Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Oct 12, 1989.
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Isabel C Viosca Hidalgo, second daughter of Josè Santiago Antonio Roberto de Jesus Viosca Navarro and María Isabel Clementina Hidalgo Savin was born on September 14. 1902 in San Francisco, California. Like her sister Laura she attended Sacred Heart boarding school in San Francisco, studied in Paris and led a priileged life of parties and travel, And was considered to be "One of California City's most attractive young woman"
On July 8, 1924 she married Joseph Porter Toole 1896–1987 at Mision Carmel, Monterey, California. |
Joseph Porter Toole 1896–1987 was born on December 2 1896 at Helena, Montana, USA, son of a former Governor of Montana, grandson of General Rosencreau of Civil war fame, a graduate of Stanford University, and a Captain in the army.
Isabel Viosca de Toole died on March 6, 1980 in Los Angeles, California and her husband Joseph Porter Toole died seven years later in Cuernavaca, Mexico City, Mexico in February 1987, whilst serving as U.S. Consulate.
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Rosa Eloisa Viosca Hidalgo was born on July 18, 1903 in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico and baptized on August 29, 1903 at Nuestra Señora de la Paz in La Paz, Baja California. Her Godparents were her maternal uncles, Manuel Vila Fontán and Elena Hidalgo Savin de Fontán. Rosa Eloisa suffered from mental disailities, perhaps Down Syndrome, and never married. She died on December 11, 1958 at Napa State Hospital, California, United States and was buried on December 16 at the Holy Cross Cemetery.
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Maria Rosa Paulina Virginia, known simply as 'Rosa', was born on the 22 June 1860 at La Paz, Lower California and baptized on the 10th July 1860 at Nuestra Señora de La Paz, La Paz. Her godparents were her uncle Tirso Hidalgo (married to her mother's sister Domitila) and her maternal aunt Dolores Navarro. Both of Santiago´s daughters were educated at the Sacred Hearts School in San Francisco and were accomplished musicians and fluent in Spanish, English and French. Considered part of the social elite in San Francisco, they lived a life of jet setting, parties and travel and accordingly married well. On June 14, 1886, in Mexico City, Rosa married the lawyer, Rodolfo Federico Nieto 1863-1902. They returned to live in La Paz, where Rudolfo was working for the Government, but later lived in Tabasco, Mexico City and Sonora. Rosa is mentioned in the article by Fanny B. Ward in 1889 whilst they were living at La Paz.
'A ball was to be given that night in the house of a married daughter of the Vioscas, and though in traveling attire, your scribe could not resist the pressing invitation to at least look in upon it — another enchanted casa, whose entrance was blocked by a crowd of commoners who had collected as usual, to take innocent delight in observing the doings of the great folk of this little world. There was the lovely, graceful hostess, beautifully dressed señoras and señoritas, and gallant caballeros and, as a matter of course, there was the finest music, for these Spanish-Americans, in common with all Latin races, are exceedingly good judges of that art.'
Rudolfo and Rosa had 6 children; 2 boys and four girls. Her third child; Maria Luisa Josefina de Jesus Nieto Viosca, born on the 3rd November 1890 in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico married on the 28 august 1921, the Britisher; Farquhar Alexander Ogilvy Laing of a prominent family in Northumberland, England. She died in 1960 at the Onslow Court Hotel, Kensington, London, England.
From September 1899 to May 1900, and again from October 1900 to May 1902, their father Rudolfo was Presidente Municipal in Guaymas, Sonora but a few moths later he died on the 20th October 1902 in San Francisco. Rosa Viosca de Nieto died on the 28 February 1921, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
From September 1899 to May 1900, and again from October 1900 to May 1902, their father Rudolfo was Presidente Municipal in Guaymas, Sonora but a few moths later he died on the 20th October 1902 in San Francisco. Rosa Viosca de Nieto died on the 28 February 1921, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Eloise was born on the 22 April 1863 in La Paz and died on the 2nd March 1939 in Italy. On January 17, 1891 she married the Austrian Baron, Alfred Von Rosenweig. The wedding took place in the home of her father in La Paz and the witnesses were her cousin Manuel Antonio Navarro Moreno (son of Ramón Navarro Castro) and her brother-in-law, Rudolfo Nieto.
Alfred Von Rosenweig was the son of the Austrian military officer and architect Baron Ferdinand Von Rosenweig and the Hungarian Princess Catarina Radzivil de Atavia, who was a lady in the court of Empress Carlota of Mexico. Ferdinand built the famous avenue Paseo de La Reforma, in Mexico City. The couple lived in Mexico City but in 1904 her husband when he was 40 years old. After his death Eloise travels a lot with her nieces Rosita, Josefine and Eloise Nieto and Eloisa Matilde Viosca Ceceña.
Alfred Von Rosenweig was the son of the Austrian military officer and architect Baron Ferdinand Von Rosenweig and the Hungarian Princess Catarina Radzivil de Atavia, who was a lady in the court of Empress Carlota of Mexico. Ferdinand built the famous avenue Paseo de La Reforma, in Mexico City. The couple lived in Mexico City but in 1904 her husband when he was 40 years old. After his death Eloise travels a lot with her nieces Rosita, Josefine and Eloise Nieto and Eloisa Matilde Viosca Ceceña.
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Joseph Viosca Navarro was born on the 23 JUNE 1864 in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico, and baptized on the 8th February 1865, his godparents were Felix Gibert and Doña Teresa de Arrieta. He is also known as ´Pepe' and José C. José married Rebecca Ceceña Bello (1881–1930) on March 28, 1897 in San Jose de Cabo, Baja California Sur, México. The couple had 4 children:
Jose Eugenio Viosca Ceceña:1898–1937
Leon Arturo Viosca Ceceña:1900–1945
Eloisa Matilde Viosca Ceceña:1902–1987
Rodolfo Santiago Viosca Ceceña: 1905–
His death is unknown.
Jose Eugenio Viosca Ceceña:1898–1937
Leon Arturo Viosca Ceceña:1900–1945
Eloisa Matilde Viosca Ceceña:1902–1987
Rodolfo Santiago Viosca Ceceña: 1905–
His death is unknown.
Leonides was born on the 29th May 1869 in La Paz, Baja California and baptized on the 8th August 1869 at Nuestra Señora de la Paz, La Paz, Lower California, México. His godparents were his uncles Manuel Hidalgo de los Santos and Juana Francisca Navarro Castro.
Leonides died young at the age of 18 years on the 17th September 1887 at San Leandro, Alameda, California where he was attending military school. |
Jose Viosca Solar, son of Joaquin H. Viosca and María Josefa Austreberla Solar Aniva, and brother to Santiago Viosca Solar was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A., about 1830. He died young, along with his wife in about 1863, leaving two small children, Florinda and José.
Florinda J. Viosca Garcia was born on January 1, 1954 in New Orleans, Louisiana. On the early death of her parents, Florinda was taken into care by her paternal uncle Santiago Viosca Solar and lived with the family in La Paz until 1870, when she returned to the United States. From 1885 to 1918 she made several trips to La Paz, particularly in the later years of her uncle when he was ill. Don Santiago was so grateful to her attentions that he included her in his will:
'Tenth: I declare that I leave to my beloved niece Florinda Viosca my dwelling house and lot in conformity with clause 4 with all it´s dependencies, furniture, garden, and trees as everything stands in same, buildings windmills, and all improvements existing, besides I ordain my administration to deliver to her $5,000 dollars in cash as a just compensation of her fidelity and personal services that with the properties afore mentioned and the amount indicated I do now consider as sufficient compensation as during my illness she has acted more like a mother than a niece.'
In 1918 Florinda is helped by Isabel Viosca Hidalgo, daughter of her nephew, James Viosca Jnr, and by Rosa Viosca de Nieto, to get an american passport
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At the time of requesting the passport in 1918, she is living at 402 East Sycamore Street, Anaheim, California where she has been visiting her nephew (Joseph R Viosca 1883-1948) for the last four months. Her nephew, Joseph, son of her brother, named a daughter after Florinda; Florinda Josephine Viosca 1907-1995 who in 1971 would marry Daniel Lawrence Fapp the Hollywood cinematographer.
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On her passport application she is described as being 5ft 2.5 inches in height, with brown eyes and a straight nose, brown gray hair and of medium fair complexion. Her passport photo shows an elderly spinster with her hair neatly tied up and small round spectacles. Her blouse is buttoned up and she has a small neck bow and a tailored jacket.
In 1930 she is living at 1278 Browning Street, Los Angeles, California, USA, where she is a stenographer. Florinda died on the 3rd April 1948 in San Diego, California. She was 94 years old. |
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