Los Angeles County
Biographies
JUAN J. DE
LA GUERRA
A representative of one of the oldest Spanish families in California and a man who has always done his part to promote the best interests of his native state is Juan J. de la Guerra. He was born on May 23, 1847, at Santa Barbara and is a son of Don Francisco and Dona Conception (Sepulveda) de la Guerra. The father was also born at Santa Barbara and the mother was a native of Los Angeles. Don Francisco was elected the first mayor of Santa Barbara. The old de la Guerra home in Santa Barbara was completed about 1827 by Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, and has become the nucleus of an artistic renaissance in that city. In it the ancient Spanish dances were held and true Spanish hospitality was shown every guest that entered its portals. The early history of California is closely interwoven with the family of Don Pablo de la Guerra, an uncle of our subject, who was a member of the California Constitutional Convention, served as lieutenant governor, state senator, district judge and also in several other official capacities. The family is related to the Castro and Ortega families who were equally prominent in shaping the early history of this state. Don Pablo married Dona Josefa Moreno Castro one of the belles of the city of Santa Barbara and their descendants have distinguished themselves in many walks of life in the state’s history. Don Francisco de la Guerra was a distinguished looking man and easily graced the offices he held. He was present at the signing of the peace pact by John C. Fremont and Andreas Pico at Cahuenga Pass. His marriage to Dona Conception Sepulveda was the occasion of great festivity and rejoicing in the union of two very prominent California families.
Juan J. De la Guerra enjoyed the privileges of a good education and grew to manhood amidst the environments of luxury for his father was the owner of thousands of acres of land and considered one of the wealthiest men of his day and generation. The father died in 1878, his widow surviving until about 18985, and both are buried in Santa Barbara. Juan grew to manhood on the ranch and assisted with the duties of that life. In 1863 he enlisted for service in the Civil war and was one of the youngest men in his company. He was first sergeant and his company was composed of Spanish citizens with only one exception. His uncle was captain of the company, his brother first lieutenant and his first cousin was second lieutenant. The company was known as Santa Barbara Company C, First Battalion Native Cavalry, California Volunteers. After the war ended Juan J. De la Guerra was employed as a clerk of the assembly, in 1867 and 1868, and 1869-1872 was clerk of the senate. He was inspector of customs for a period of several years, in Santa Barbara Ventura and Hueneme. Then for three years he lived in San Francisco and then in 1874 moved to the Tapo ranch, part of the old estate in Ventura county. In 1895 he removed to Yorba ranch, Orange county and there engaged in raising oranges and walnuts and had a dairy of forty cows until he retired in 1921 and moved to Los Angeles.
On January 25, 1895, Juan J. De la Guerra was united in marriage with Ramona Yorba, a representative of the old Yorba family of Southern California and the mother of a daughter, Rosita, now the wife of Herman F. Locke of 1915 North Canyon drive, Los Angeles, (Hollywood). In politics Mr. J. De la Guerra is a democrat and in religious activities is a Catholic. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Ramona Parlor, Native Sons of the golden West. He has taken a very active part in the development of Southern California and in his retirement is enjoying the fruits of a well spent life.
Transcribed
5-26-12 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: California
of the South Vol. II, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
431-432, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Marilyn R. Pankey.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES
BIOGRAPHIES