Francisco Perea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Perea
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico Territory's At-large district |
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| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 (Delegate) |
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| Preceded by | John S. Watts |
| Succeeded by | José Francisco Chaves |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 9, 1830 Los Padillas, Nuevo México, First Mexican Republic (now Bernalillo County, New Mexico, U.S.) |
| Died | May 21, 1913 (aged 83) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Resting place | Fairview Cemetery, New Mexico |
| Political party | Republican |
| Occupation | politician, businessman, postmaster |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1862 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel (U.S.) |
| Commands | Perea's Battalion |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Francisco Perea (born January 9, 1830 – died May 21, 1913) was an American businessman and politician. He was an important figure in the history of New Mexico.
Perea was a cousin of Pedro Perea. He was also the grandson of Governor Francisco Xavier Chávez. Chávez was the first governor of the New Mexico area when it was part of the independent First Mexican Empire. Francisco Perea built a trade network along the famous Santa Fe Trail. This trail connected cities like St. Louis with Mexico.
During the American Civil War, Perea became a lieutenant colonel in the Union Army. He helped protect the New Mexico Territory. Later, he was elected to represent the New Mexico Territory in the United States Congress. He served from 1863 to 1865. After the war, he continued to serve in the local New Mexico legislature. He also worked as a postmaster in Jemez Springs.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Francisco Perea was born on January 9, 1830. His birthplace was Los Padillas, which was then part of the United Mexican States. Today, this area is in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, close to Albuquerque. His family, known as Hispanos, had lived in the region for many generations.
His mother, Josefa Chaves de Perea, was the daughter of Governor Francisco Xavier Chávez. Chávez was a key leader in New Mexico after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. Young Francisco went to schools in Bernalillo County and Santa Fe from 1836 to 1839.
Perea later attended the Jesuit College (now St. Louis University) in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1843 to 1845. He also studied at the Bank Street Academy in New York City from 1847 to 1849. While he was studying, the Mexican–American War took place. This war ended with Mexico giving up a large area, including New Mexico, to the United States. When Perea returned home, New Mexico was now a U.S. Territory.
Before returning, Perea met President Zachary Taylor. Around this time, he got sick with cholera but thankfully recovered.
Marriage and Family Life
Soon after returning from his studies, Francisco Perea married Dolores Otero on March 15, 1851. They had eighteen children together. Dolores passed away in 1866.
Later, in 1875, Perea married Gabriela Montoya. With his second wife, he also had eighteen children. Ten of these children were still alive when he passed away. One of his descendants, through his daughter Maria Cristina Perea, is the famous singer and actress Demi Lovato.
Business and Political Roles
Throughout the 1850s, Perea was busy with business. He raised livestock and traded goods. He used mule trains to transport merchandise along the Santa Fe Trail. This trail connected places like St. Louis and Independence, Missouri, all the way to Mexico. He also traveled to California and New York City for business.
In 1858, Perea was chosen to represent Bernalillo County in the New Mexico Territorial House. However, he decided not to take his seat. He explained that he had not agreed to be a candidate. He also said that his family's health needed him at home.
Civil War Service and Congress
When the American Civil War began, Francisco Perea strongly supported the Union. He traveled across New Mexico to gather support. President Abraham Lincoln allowed the creation of local military units to defend the New Mexico Territory. Perea was made a lieutenant colonel.
In December 1861, he formed a group of soldiers known as Perea's Battalion. This group was based in Albuquerque during the winters of 1861 and 1862. Perea led his unit to protect New Mexico from the Texas Rangers and Navajo forces. He also took part in the Battle of Glorieta Pass in March 1862. In this important battle, the Union forces defeated the Confederates.
After his military service, Perea was elected as a Republican delegate to the 38th United States Congress. A delegate is like a representative, but from a territory, so they can speak but not vote on laws. He served in Congress from March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1865.
In 1863, he was chosen to represent New Mexico Territory at the 1864 Republican National Convention. This was where political parties picked their candidate for president. Perea supported President Lincoln's re-election. He was even at Ford's Theatre when President Lincoln was shot in April 1865.
Later Life and Legacy
Francisco Perea continued his political career. He was elected to the Territorial Council of New Mexico two more times, in 1866 and 1884. In 1881, he moved from Bernalillo County to Jemez Springs, New Mexico. There, he owned the local springs and a hotel. The springs were thought to have health benefits.
Later, he was appointed as the U.S. postmaster for Jemez Springs. He held this job from 1894 to 1905. In 1906, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Francisco Perea passed away there on May 21, 1913. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery.
See also
- Hispanics in the American Civil War
- List of Hispanic Americans in the United States Congress
