Ventura
County
Biographies
ADOLFO CAMARILLO
Well known as a capitalist and
rancher, Adolfo Camarillo resides in the town which bears his name and is a
worthy scion of one of the old and honored families of Southern
California. He was born at San
Buenaventura, October 29, 1864, a son of Juan Camarillo and a grandson of Luis
and Maria (Rodriguez) Camarillo, who were natives of Mexico. In that country Juan Camarillo was born May
27, 1812, and remained in Mexico until he was twenty-two years of age, when he
came to California with a colony whose destination was Monterey. Several members of the expedition landed at
San Diego and continued their journey by land.
At Santa Barbara, Juan Camarillo left the party and established his headquarters
in one of the missions of the locality.
He purchased a stock of merchandise and traveled between San Francisco
and San Diego, trading with the settlers in that region. He made two thousand dollars in this manner
and later opened a store at Santa Barbara, also dealing extensively in land
grants. He was a man of foresight and
sagacity and a fine exemplar of the California pioneer. He attained the age of seventy-six years,
passing away in December, 1888. On April
12, 1840, he had married Miss Martina Hernandez, a native of California, and
his large property holdings in Ventura were inherited by his daughters, while
the ranch was bequeathed to his widow and two sons, Adolfo and Juan, Jr.
Adolfo Camarillo pursued his studies
in San Buenaventura and also took a course in the International Business
College of Los Angeles. During his
father’s lifetime the ranch was devoted chiefly to the breeding of cattle and
sheep, and fifteen hundred acres were under cultivation. Adolfo Camarillo has wrought a marked change
in the appearance of the property, installing modern improvements, and among
the buildings which he erected was a fine dairy, electrically equipped. This he operated until 1920, when he withdrew
from the dairy business. He is a large
breeder of hogs and one of the foremost stockmen of this part of the
state. He has over three thousand acres
in beans, and two thousand acres are devoted to the raising of corn, barley,
alfalfa and other crops. He is a grower
of walnuts and also finds the raising of citrus fruits a profitable
occupation. In the operation of his
place he has used system and science, which always produce the best results,
and is a recognized leader of agricultural advancement in Ventura County. The ranch comprises ten thousand acres and is
one of the largest and best equipped in the state. It is nearly all piped for irrigation and in
every respect is a model farm property.
He is a director of the Camarillo Citrus Association and president of
the Ventura County Walnut Association.
Entering the financial field, Mr. Camarillo became vice president of the
First National Bank of Ventura and the Ojai State Bank, which interests he
afterward sold. His is now a director of
the Camarillo Branch of the Bank of America and in Oxnard his name appears on
the directorates of the Levy and Security Banks, which have benefited by his
wisdom and experience.
In 1888 Mr. Camarillo was married to
Miss Isobel M. Menchaca, a daughter of Francisco Menchaca and of Spanish lineage. They have four daughters, Mrs. Rose C. Petit,
Mrs. Ave FitzGerald, Mrs. Isabel C. Burket and Miss Carmen Camarillo, and a
son, Frank A.
Reared a Catholic, Mr. Camarillo has
always adhered to that faith, and fraternally he is identified with Oxnard
Council of the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a past grand knight, and the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He was a prime mover in forming the Fair Association, becoming its
president, and was also called to the presidency of Cabrillo Parlor, No. 114,
of the Natives Sons of the Golden West.
Mr. Camarillo was a member of the board of supervisors of Ventura County
for eight years, exerting his influence in behalf of good roads and other
needed public improvements, and has ever been ready to serve his district when
needed. He is a citizen of high ideals,
a loyal Californian and a man of large affairs who has been a vital force for
progress in this part of the state.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. IV, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 129-131, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPIES