Leopoldo Carrillo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leopoldo Carrillo
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Leopoldo Carrillo, courtesy of the Arizona Historical Society
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| Born | May 24, 1836 Moctezuma, Sonora
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| Died | December 9, 1890 (aged 54) |
| Nationality | Mexican-American |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Pioneer in Tucson |
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Notable work
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Carrillo's Gardens |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Jesusita Suarez, Elvira Suarez de Carrillo |
| Children | 10 |
| Parent(s) | Luis Carrillo, Dona Maria Martines |
Leopoldo Carrillo (born May 24, 1836 – died December 9, 1890) was a Mexican-American businessman. He was one of the first important settlers in Tucson, Arizona. He became an American citizen in 1873.
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Leopoldo Carrillo's Early Life
Leopoldo Carrillo was born on May 24, 1836, in Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. His parents were Luis Carrillo and Dona Maria Martines. Luis Carrillo was a Spanish soldier. Dona Maria Martines was part Opata. Leopoldo had two younger brothers, Francisco and Procopio. He also had an older sister named Teodosia.
Leopoldo Carrillo did not go to school. He taught himself to read, write, and speak both Spanish and English. He started by selling bottles to pay for his lessons. This experience made him a strong supporter of education. He later helped create the Tucson School District #1.
Leopoldo Carrillo's Family Life
Leopoldo Carrillo married Jesusita Suarez on August 21, 1865, in Magdalena, Mexico. Jesusita's sister, Elvira Suarez de Carrillo, moved in with them. She helped care for their large family of nine children.
After 15 years of marriage, Jesusita died on June 28, 1880. She was 33 years old. Her baby, Mortimer Carrillo, also died shortly after birth. Leopoldo then married Elvira on September 6, 1880. She helped raise his children, who were between two and thirteen years old.
Leopoldo's success in business meant his children had a good life. His son, Leopoldo Jr., went to Santa Clara College in Berkeley, California. Leopoldo Jr. said he did not need to work because of his father's success.
Leopoldo Carrillo and His Hobbies
Leopoldo Carrillo enjoyed playing games like poker. He was careful about money he might lose. He sometimes put his property in his wife Jesusita's name. This helped protect his wealth. One of his brothers held the key to Leopoldo's safe. He would not let Leopoldo play if he was losing too much money.
Leopoldo Carrillo's Business Career
Leopoldo Carrillo had a very successful career as a businessman. But he faced many challenges. His career happened during big conflicts. These included the American Civil War and the Mexican Revolution. Also, Native American raids made Tucson and the area around it unstable.
Carrillo as a Freighter
In 1859, Carrillo moved to Tucson, Arizona. At that time, Tucson was a small government outpost. But it was growing fast. Leopoldo saw the potential for the town to grow with better transportation. He was important in bringing the railroad to Tucson. He owned a farm near Fort Lowell. He was also one of the first members of the Arizona Pioneer Society.
He started many businesses in Tucson. His experience moving goods during the American Civil War helped him. He supported the Union side. This brought him national attention and helped him become successful. His freight business went from Sonora to Tucson. It also went all the way to St. Louis, Missouri. From there, goods were sent to China and other Asian countries.
Carrillo's Livestock Recovery
In 1869, a group of Native Americans took some of Carrillo's cattle. They herded them away from his ranch near San Xavier. Leopoldo gathered about 50 wild horses. He used them to get all his missing cattle back. He also captured four horses from the Native Americans.
Leopoldo Carrillo's Kidnapping and Escape
In August 1875, Leopoldo was captured by a Mexican rebel named Don Jose Maria Escalante. Escalante wanted money from him. The community worked together to raise money for his release. But Escalante asked for more money. He wanted $7,000 and all of Carrillo's cattle. Even after the money was delivered, Escalante still threatened Leopoldo.
Leopoldo had a plan for his family to find his body if the ransom failed. But he managed to escape on his own. He ran to the mountains. He disguised himself as a Native American. He had dark skin and knew the Opata language. After he escaped, a friend named Juan Bojorquez gave him a horse. This helped him return to Tucson. He met Jesusita and five other men with rifles. After this event, Leopoldo never celebrated Mexican Independence Day again.
The Arizona Citizen newspaper wrote about Carrillo's kidnapping. They said the government of Sonora was involved in a plot. They blamed them for trying to harm Carrillo and stealing $20,000.
Carrillo as a Property Developer
Leopoldo Carrillo built many places in Tucson. By 1881, he owned over 100 buildings. These included a bowling alley and a piano parlor. The Tucson Glee Club used the piano parlor. He also built the city's first two-story building. He opened the town's first ice cream parlor, which also served wine. He published music and was a musician himself.
Carrillo's Gardens: A Public Park
One of his biggest projects was Carrillo's Gardens. It was located southwest of Tucson. Built in 1885, it became the city's first free public park. It covered eight acres. Many different fruit trees were planted there. He also built several artificial lakes and ponds. These lakes had bathhouses and boat rides. The area had a lot of spring water, which is rare in Arizona. This made the park very popular. The park had restaurants and a small zoo. It was also home to a private school called Carrillo School. Carrillo's Gardens no longer exists. Today, the land is used by the Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School.
Leopoldo Carrillo's Political Views
Leopoldo Carrillo believed strongly in capitalism. He was very active in politics. He founded the Mexican Republican Party in Arizona. He strongly supported the Union during the American Civil War. He followed the career of John C. Frémont, the first Republican candidate for president. He also supported Abraham Lincoln for president. Carrillo was a big supporter of the abolitionist movement. This movement worked to end slavery. Leopoldo Carrillo often spoke at Republican party meetings.
It is possible Leopoldo Carrillo served in the Union army. At that time, Arizona was part of the New Mexico territory. He might have served with the New Mexico regiments.
Leopoldo Carrillo's Death
Leopoldo Carrillo died from tuberculosis at his home. He passed away at 2 AM on December 9, 1890. He was 54 years old. His death happened in Pima County in Tucson. The Arizona Pioneer Society held his funeral. It took place at the Holy Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum. They praised him for all his achievements. Carrillo had over 300 descendants. Many of them still live in Tucson today.
Leopoldo Carrillo's Legacy
Leopoldo Carrillo was known for being an honest and polite gentleman. He was one of the first major developers in Tucson. People widely praised him for his work for the community. In 1972, 87 years after his death, the Carrillo homestead became a museum. It is still open to the public today.
The Arizona Citizen newspaper said Carrillo's horse stable was the best in Arizona. The Arizona Daily Star described him as someone always building and improving things. On October 16, 1977, they published an article. It invited local people to a gathering to honor the Carrillo family.
The Arizona Historical Society keeps many records about the Carrillo family. These include letters, articles, and photographs. They are available for the public to see.
Images for kids
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Leopoldo Carrillo, courtesy of the Arizona Historical Society
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Leopoldo Carrillo and his family around 1878.
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Jesusita Suarez, Leopoldo Carrillo's first wife.
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Jesusita Suarez helped raise money to pay the ransom for Leopoldo.
