Felipe S. and Benigna Delgado

Son of Manuel Salustiano Delgado and Maria de la Luz Baca, Felipe S. is said to have been born on May 1, 1829, although the Santa Fe Baptisms 1747-1848 book p. 113 has a Juan Felipe de Santiago Delgado born to the same parents and baptized on April 3, 1829. I suspect that that is an error and should be May 3rd. His brothers are generally given as Simon, Fernando, Pablo and Felipe B. and his sisters as Estefana and Josefa.

Homer Milford has sent me testimony given by Felipe S., in which he tells about his childhood. In the law suite US vs. San Pedro and Cañon de Agua, Felipe S. testified about January 21, 1884: "I live in Santa Fe. I am fifty-three years old. I have lived in Santa Fe since 1853. Real de San Francisco (El Tuerto, or Golden) is about thirty fived mile south of Santa Fe. I at one time lived there. I began to live there when I was about eight years of age. I went to school at that place. I remained there until 1849. There were many people there at the time. I know the mounain there called the 'Sierra del Tuerto'. I know it. it is to the west of the plaza of Real de San Francisco. The Tuerto mountains are to the west of the San Francisco plaza. They were called the 'Little Tuerto Mountains', not by any other name."

In handwritten, sworn testimony of June 9, 1884, Felipe testified: "My name is Felipe Delgado, I reside in Santa Fe, I am 55 years old. I am a farmer by occupation. I have lived in the county of Santa Fe all of my life. When I was young I lived in Cerillos. I am acquainted with the old mine known as the Mina del Tiro. I have known it as long as I have known anything. I knew it because my father and other persons worked it and named it Mina del Tiro. I remember my father working it when I was about 12 or 15 years old. I saw him go into the mine with his men and I saw the ore and they had two smelters one at Bonito and the other at my father's house, his ranch at Bonanza (Homer Milford explains that the Delgado and Pino ranch area was what was called Los Cerrillos in the Spanish and Mexican periods. Its name was changed to Bonanza in 1879 and is north of the Cerrillos Hills by La Cienega). The smelter at my father's ranch was about eight or nine miles from the Mina del Tiro, the other was about two miles more or less (Milford explains that the place he calls Bonito was probably the Galisteo River near Cerrillos). The ore was taken in carts with oxen from the mine to the smelters. Father employed about ten or twelce men in mining and smelting. The ore smelted was taken from this mine and from other mines two miles about from the Mina del Tiro. The Mina del Agua is east from the Mina del Tiro, very near. It is visible from the surface. It is full of water, and I never saw it worked. The Rueleña is about two mile N. W. from Mina del Tiro. There was the Vallecitos (Milford explains that this was the Mexican period name for what became known in the 1880s as Hungry Gulch, a deep valley) mine, the Santa Rosa. They were quite near 300 or 400 yards more or less. Three were some other mines there --of no particular name. I don't remember seeing any others where ore had been taken out. There were a good many shafts, about five different one. I don't think the land was agriculatural land with the exception of Vallecitos. It was two miles from the Mina del Tiro. There was no water there for irrigation purposes. The land there is hilly, arroyos, stones, rocks very high. We had to open a road to get to the Mina del Tiro. In some places mineral appears on the surface. Piñon, timber, there was considerable there at the time we used to live there --a little oak timber there-- also considerable grass there-- we used to hear our cattle there. There was large grass there. There were also sheet grasses. That was all through that vicinity. The nearest water to the Mina del Tiro was Galisteo Creek about two or three miles. There used to be a spring in the arroyo there. My father stopped working the Mina del Tiro and the other mines there a little before the year 1840. At the time the New Placers were discovered and we went there to work". (Homer Milford sent me this testimony given in U.S. vs. John Gwyn, et al, Chancery 1887, Territory of NM Supreme Court, case no. 280).

Homer Milford also sent me this1885 newspaper quote about the family store and mine near Golden (Tuerto): Don Felipe Delgado, an old and highly esteemed citizen of this country certifies under seal as follows: "My father lived in New Placers, about thirty miles south of Santa Fe, near where the town of Golden is now situated, about the year A. D. 1843, and there was a town there at that time with a population of about 5,000 people. My father kept a store there at that time of general merchandise. I acted as clerk in the store for my father; there was I think about twenty-four stores kept in the town at that time, this included dry goods and grocery stores; the inhabitants worked the mines known as the New Placers; our store took in, in exchange for goods sold to miners, about $2,000 per week, gold; what the other stores took in I can not say but I think they took in their proportionate share of gold taken from the mines. We have bought nuggets of gold from the miners weighing half a pound; have in my possession now many gold nuggets taken from the New Placers mines. The way the washing was done, the water was hauled on carts drawn by oxen. They were paid one dollar per hogshead for the water; the men who worked in the mines, (I mean those that were hired) received three buckets of dirt or gravel as pay for each days work."("TONS OF GOLD," Santa Fe New Mexican Review, 3/5/1885, p. 3)

Felipe S. married Benigna Garcia (born in 1837) at the Castrense in Santa Fe on April 3, 1853. He died in Santa Fe on January 26, 1895, she in February 1908. They are buried next to one another in Rosario Cemetery (in the very back towards the Manderfield monument). His tombstone says that he was born at Los Cerillos on May 1, 1829 and died in Santa Fe on January 26, 1895.

According to the Castrense marriage records p. 253: On April 3, 1853, Felipe Delgado, single son of Don Manuel Delgado and Doña Luz Baca married Benigna Garcia daughter of Don Feliz Garcia and Doña Francisca Romero deceased of Santa Fe (frame 1154). Information on Feliz' family is on Benigna's page.

The 1850 Territorial Census (p. 97), sheet 293, October 21, Santa Fe County, shows Felipe still living with his parents:

Felipa, 4, female, born in NM (this is surely Felipe B. an 8 year old male);

Ismel, 15, male, born in NM (this is the son of Marcos Delgado of Abiquiu named Manuel who went by the name Ishmael);

The 1860 census lists Felipe S. as a 32 year old merchant with 4000 dollars in real estate assets and a personal estate of 6000 dollars. The 1870 census lists him as a 41 year merchant and retailer with real estate assets of 6000 dollars and personal assets of 7000 dollars (Boyle p. 143).

The Illustrated History of New Mexico by Benjamin Read has a picture of him and reads (leaving out some erroneous genealogy): Mr. Felipe S. Delgado was the son of Don Manuel Delgado… Don Felipe was the brother of Simon, Fernando, Felipe Jr. and Juan Pablo. All of these brothers figured in public life as prominently as their distinguished… grandfather. All of them filled honorable positions and all were merchants. Don Felipe S…. was appointed by president Lincoln as Superintendent of Indian Agencies in New Mexico (for information on his tenure follow the link). He also served several times as member of the Legislature, as Probate Judge of Santa Fe County, County Commissioner and member of the School Board. Don Felipe married Doña Benigna Garcia. From that marriage the following children were born, Luz, Antonio, Manuela, Emilio and Alfredo.

The Santa Fe New Mexican of October 24, 1872 says: "At last we have a police force. The Probate Judge, Don Felipe Delgado, never deaf to the requirements of the time when the fulfilment of his duties can meet them, has listened to the cry for protection from rowdies and cut throats, made by the victims of the late frequent outrages, and appointed an efficient corps of reliable men to patrol the city and guard the peace. We have needed this long, and hope it will accomplish the desired reform."

In Old Santa Fe, Twitchell tells about Felipe S.'s participation in the 333rd anniversary of the coming of Europeans to New Mexico which was celebrated in 1883. Apparently 10-12,000 people witnessed the opening ceremonies. Twitchell says that no more interesting pageant had ever been viewed on this continent. On July 18th: "In regal magnificence and barbaric splendor,this historical presentation has never been equalled on the American continent. Its personnel, environment and atmosphere were possible only in New Mexico and its ancient capital. As the pageant proceeded majestically through the principal streets, in step with the strains of martial music, the rich robes of bespangeled silk and satin and the shining armor worn by the particpants glistening in the bright morning sunlight, the unique garb and costumes of the many tribes of Indians, some of whom had only the year previous been engaged in deadly combat with the regular army.... Upwards of a hundred Mescalero Apaches, with principal Chief San Juan in the lead, warriors and hunters mounted, with their gleaming lances, robes of buck-skin adorned with beads, and their war bonnets of eagle plumes; the picturesque Zuni, about fifty in all, on foot, with their bows and arrows, and brilliant head-bands of red, green and yellow; half a hundred Pueblos of San Juan, and as many more from Nambé, Tesuque and Picuries, the last named bearing wreaths of Piñon, decorated with ribbons, and a few Navajos resplendent in their jackets of red, yellow and purple velvet, high cut moccasins bound below the knee, carrying lances decorated with eagle feathers, mounted, composed the first section of this novel pageant and aroused the admiration to the hight pitch by their characteristic costumes.

Then came the Spaniard. Following the wonderful 23rd U. S. Infantry band rode Don Felipe Delgado representing General Don Francisco Vasquez Coronado, accompanied by his officers equally resplendent in golden armor... The last and one of the most impressive features... consisted of a group of gowned and barefooted Franciscans, carrying their staffs and bearing banners the chief of whch was one of Our Lady of Conquest...." (pp. 402-03).

Manuel Antonio (June 13, 1857-December 15, 1891). He was baptized on the 15th. His godparents were Felipe B. Delgado and Maria de la Luz Vaca.

Manuela (January 19, 1860-1951), who became Sister Gertrude of Loretto Academy. Baptized on January 22nd.

Manuel Celustiano, born on January 19, 1860 and baptized three days later, Manuela's twin who must have died young.

José Ignes (April 20, 1867-March 14, 1891), baptized on April 22. His godparents were Margarito Romero and Luz Delgado.

José, baptized May 21, ??; godparents Simon Delgado and Peregrina Campbell

Luciano, was baptized on December 22, 1872. His godparents were Manuel Valdez and Luz Delgado.

Pablo (January 13, 1875-January 30, 1875), Lucia's twin baptized two days later. His godparents were Francisco and Manuela Delgado.

Emilio (June 9, 1876-1943). His godparents were Antonio and Manuela Delgado.

The baptismal records also showed that Felipe S. and Benigna adopted children:

Maria Guadalupe (1860-July 31, 1877), around 4 years old, baptized on November 15, 1860, Navajo adopted by them and for whom they served as godparents.

Clouds of dust --and the oxpowered freight train, primitive, steaming, rumbling, rounds the bend and rolls into Santa Fe Plaza.
"To the Plaza --hurry, hurry. The caravan is in.
"Your hat Pedro; pin a brooch, Lupe; brush your curls, Angelica. Hurry, hurry --the oxcarts are already in town."

"Chocolate from Chihuahua!" shout the children.
The oxen drivers crack their whips.
The clumsy, woode wagons creak under their cargos of sugar, silks and spice. Ladies, promenading in the shade of the Plaza portales, chatter gaily about cinnamon and cloves; they discuss the price of Piloncillo (maple sugar), of Chinese silks and tea cups. Everyone wants to see the popular brown ware from Guadalajara.

Oxen, their heads weighted by the heavy wooden yokes bite and pull at the chamisa bushes. Chamisa on our Plaza? Yes. And now listen to the loud shrieks! A little boy has tumbled into a clump of cactus.
Another boy runs across the rough, earthen square, crying Albricias! Albricias! (Happy news, happy news) --Santo Niño viene (The Holy Child comes)."
The news, in widening ripples, quickly encircles the Plaza.
"Don Felipe Delgado brought home a Santa Niño to Doña Benigna Garcia!"
"Santa Niño came from Chihuahua: the Holy Child rode in an oxcart!"

To the Francisco Street mansion of the caravan owner, Don Felipe (El Grande) Delgado, came the little, enameled figure of the Holy Child.
Santo Niño looked down on the handsome, old room. He became accustomed to the black and white checked carpets, handwoven from Chimayo. He saw the striped calico tacked to four foot height on the freshly whitewashed walls: this as the house of a rico. Santo Niño came to know the carved, colonial furniture; the long benches called tarimas; the glossy, new pieces from Independence, Missouri.

On pleasant days when Doña Benigna and the other Delgado ladies took their sewing to the flower-embowered patio, the Holy Child was carried, along with the Tiny Garments, through the corridors lined with religious pictures.
Perhaps the Child paused in the kitchen noticing the Indian servants as they stirred the savory stew in the fire-proof Picuris pots.

What has become of this twenty room palace?
A sorcerer whisked it away with the flicker of a Magic Screen. In 1931 the old buildings were torn down to make way for a moving picture house.
Next time you go to the Lensic, look past the gilt columns, the garnet velvet, the balcony, the loges, the orchestra: remember just for a moment, the ghostly walls of the quaint Delgado mansion. Don't concentrate too hard, or you may bump into a phantom when you unpark your car. The patio may be haunted. "A thousand pardons; but did a horse with a silver-mounted saddle just pass this way?"

By curious coincidence, now finds Santo Niño's present custodian, Margarita Delgado (Margaret D. Ortiz) the modern efficient County Clerk, signing licenses, notarizing affidavits in the new County Court House built directly to the north of the old Delgado Orchards.

His sequins may be tarnished. His silks faded, the fragile fingers broken, but the Child who came to Santa Fe by oxcart is still loved and cared for by Delgado descendents. And when the winter snows melt, the Holy Child will ride again!
Before many more weeks. He will, in a high-powered motor car, travel the incredible roller coaster hills to His summer home, the Ortiz Ranch [Rancho Pancho] in the mountains of Rio en Medio."

In Romance of a Little Village Girl (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2000 (1955)) Cleofas Jaramillo writes: "The big, attractive, old-style homes were still well-kept, with their long, deep-walled, cool salas de recibo, and placitas surrounded with neat whitewashed porches. One of these most attractive homes was... Don Felipe Delgado's home, on the corner of Burro Alley and San Francisco Street, where the Lensic Theater now stands. My cousin Lola (this would be a daughter of Felipe B., who married Lucia Ortiz, the daughter of Don Gaspar Ortiz who was the uncle of Cleofas) took me on a visit to her Uncle Don Felipe's house. He was sitting reading in the sala when he saw us at the door. He quickly rose and came forward to meet us. A true type of the fine Spanish gentleman he was. His fair complexion was almost as white as his hair and his long, white beard. They were all accentuated by the spotless black Prince Albert suit he wore. The king of Spain had conferred on his father (really his grandfather), Don Manuel Delgado, the rank of Captain of the Provincial Spanish New Mexico Army. Only a fine gentleman like him would trouble himself in entertaining a mere fifteen-year-old girl. He showed me his family photographs and then took us across the placita, surrounded by spotless white porches, to the graden. The charm of the city was enhanced by its hospitality" (p. 50)

The obituary from the Santa Fe Daily New Mexican for Monday January 28, 1895, no. 29 for Felipe S. reads:

"The venerable and respected Don Felipe Delgado breathed his last at his home in Santa Fe about 5 o'clock on Saturday evening after a long and painful illness. The deceased was born in Santa Fe county in the early part of 1831 (a note says he was born May 1, 1929) and was consequently 64 years old. He was one of a distinguished family of five brothers and two sisters. Simon, Pablo, Fernando, Felipe, Felipe B., Mrs. Romero and Mrs. Tomas C de Baca --all of whom are now dead except Felipe B. Delgado and Mrs. Baca. Among the nephews living are Pedro Delgado, receiver of the United States land office, Juan Delgado, deputy sheriff, and Francisco Delgado, translator in the surveyor general's office. For many years the deceased was an active member of the firm of J. L. Perea and Co., general merchants, who did business on the corner now occupied by the Claire Hotel. He also served creditably as a member of the 12th and 13th legislative assemblies in 1862 and 1863; served as superintendent of Indian Affairs by appointment of President Lincoln from 1863 to 1865, then became territorial treasurer; subsequently filled the office of probate judge for two terms. In all the walks of life he proved himself an honest man and a useful citizen. His death is sincerely lamented by a very large circle of friends. Those especially bereaved are his widow, two daughters and two sons. One of the daughters is Mrs. Manuel Valdez and the other is Sister Gertrude of Loretto academy. The funeral will take place at the cathedral tomorrow at 9 o'clock."

Funeral! Con el mas profundo dolor de nuestros corazones participamos el falleciemiento de nuestro amado esposo y padre Felipe Delgado, Ocurrido el Sabado, 26 de Enero de 1895, a la edad de 64 años, 8 meses, 26 dias. Suplicamos una sus plegarias a las nuestras por el eterno descanso de su alma, y que nos acompañe a los funerales que se verificaran en la Catedral el Martes, 29 de Enero de 1895, a las 9 de la mañana, y de alli al acompañamiento del cuerpo hasta el Cemeterio de Ntra. Sra. Del Rosario en el panteon privado de la familia, en donde descansaran sus restos mortales. Santa Fe, N; M. Enero 27, 1895, Benigna G. de Delgado é hijos.

"Another aged resident, Mrs. Benigna Delgado succumbs to Chronic Bronchitis --Leaves Many Descendants. Santa Fe loses another old and respected resident in the death of Mrs. Benigna Garcia de Delgado who passed away at 7 o'clock Sunday at the family residence 321 San Francisco Street. Her death resulted from bronchitis coupled with the infirmities of old age. She had been in gradually failing health since last November. Mrs. Delgado was the widow of the late Felipe Delgado Sr. whose death occurred some years ago. She was seventy-one years of age and was born in Santa Fe. Surviving her are three generations, including two sons, one daughter, fourteen grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. The sons are Emilio Delgado and Alfredo Delgado and the daughter is Miss Manuela Delgado, who is a nun in the order of the Sisters of Loretto and since joining the sisterhood her name is now Sister Gertrude. The funeral services will held at 8.30 o'clock tomorrow morning at the Cathedral followed by interment in the cemetery."
According to her death certificate she died at 7 a.m. on February 23, 1908 in the County of Santa Fe. She was 71 years old and died of chronic bronchitis. Her occupation was that of housewife.

Manuela became Sister Gertrude of Loretto Academy.
Luz married Manuel Valdes.
Alfredo Delgado married Catalina Garcia and they parented Margaret.
Emilio married Manuelita Gonzales

José Luis is buried in Rosario Cemetery next to Felipe S., Benigna and Antonio. His tombstone reads: born April 20, 1867, died March 14, 1891 at the age of 23 years, 10 months and 21 days. The "Published Vital Statistics from the Albuquerque New Mexico Daily Citizen for 1891", p. 70 of the June 2001 issue of the New Mexico Genealogist, gives a death of a José I. Delgado of Santa Fe on March 17, 1891.

Antonio is buried in Rosario cemetery next to Felipe S. and Benigna. On his tombstone is written born July 13, 1857 and died on December 15, 1891 at the age of 34 years, 6 months and 3 days. Antonio married Maria del Refugio Salazar on April 6, 1877. The Church record of their marriage reads:

1877. En los Luceros a las seis de Abril despues de la diligencias echas y las tres bans dispensadas, dispensa de tiempo concedido justé en matrimonio a Antonio Delgado de Santa Fe soltero hijo legt de Felipe Delgado y de Maria Benina Garcia. Con Maria del Refugio Salazar … soltera hija legt de Tomas Salazar y de Nicolasa Baca diftos. Padr: Luis Ortiz, Elisa Clark. Test: Manuel Valdez y Fernando Salazar. (LDS microfilm 0016979 Marriages San Juan Church 1857-)

I have baptismal records for: Nicolasa a seven day old girl born to them and baptized on December 7, 1882 in the Chapel of Villita, a mission of San Juan de los Caballeros in Rio Arriba County. Her baptismal record reads: "En la Capilla de la Villita a los siete dias de Diciembre del año mil ochocientos ochenta y dos bauticé solemmemente a Maria Nicolasa Delgado de siete dias de nacida, hija legitima de Antonio Delgado y de Maria Refugio Salazar. Padrinos: Miguel Archuleta y Carlota Archuleta.

Josefita, a nine day old girl born to them and baptized on December 7, 1884; Benino Zeferino a nine day old boy born to them and baptized on August 24, 1886; Tomas Estanislao, a seven day old boy born to them and baptized on May 13, 1888.

An obituary for him in the Santa Fe Daily New Mexican (p. 4, c. 2) dated December 16, 1891 reads: Death's Work. Antonio Delgado, aged 34 years, son of Judge Felipe Delgado, died at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. He leaves a wife and three children and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. A complication of lung and heart trouble was the cause of death. This is the second son Judge Delgado has lost in nine months and general public sympathy is expressed for him and his. The funeral talkes place tomorrow forenoon.

He died leaving three minor children, Benigno, Felipe and Nicolasa. Benigna seems to have taken them in because the 1900 census lists them as living with Benigna and being her sons and daughter.

The "Published Vital Statistics from the Albuquerque New Mexico Daily Citizen for 1891", p. 70 of the June 2001 issue of the New Mexico Genealogist gives a death of a Felipe Delgado of Santa Fe on December 17, 1891 (p. 4). Might Antonio have been called Felipe Antonio? Or might this be a mistake putting the name of his father instead of him?

Benigno Thomas (Serefino) Delgado was born August 26, 1886 and died February 5, 1973 in Sepulveda, California. He is listed in the 1900 census as Benigna's 18 year old son. He was wounded in WWI. He married (Manuela) Emma Licon in 1928 in California. They had Benigno (Benjamin Delgado Jr.) (born June 1929) and Joseph Louis (born March 23, 1931 and died December 10, 1993 in Modesto, California). See his eulogy below.

Nicolasa. She is listed in the 1900 census as Benigna's 15 year old daughter. She became Sister Victoria, a sister of Loretto, and in the 1900 census is listed as a 16 year old boarder at Loretto Academy born in December 1883. Her aunt Manuela Delgado appears on the same page as a forty year old assistant born in January 1860. Among the papers provided by Gene Valdes is a Power of Attorney given to Refugita S. de Delgado signed March 16, 1914 by Nicolasita Delgado, otherwise known as Sister M. Victoria of Rockford, Illinois. This power of attorney was especially to allow Refugit(a) to sell, etc. Sister Victoria's portion of real estate from Felipe and Benigna Delgado's estate.

Felipe. He is listed in the 1900 census as Benigna's nine year old son. I have now obtained his death certificate from Los Angeles County. According to it his name was Philip S. Delgado, born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on May 18, 1893 to Antonio Delgado, born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Mary Salazar, born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and was 48 years 9 months and 19 days old (honest to God his birthdate and age were obviously changed on the certificate and they make him born two years after his father's death). He was married to Louise Delgado, who was 42 years old. He lived at 3807 Sutro Ave. He had lived in Los Angeles for 3 years and in California for 24 years. He was retired. His usual occupation was a Barber in his own shop. He was buried on March 10, 1942 in Holy Cross Cemetery. Louise Delgado was the informant. He died at home on March 7, 1942 at 11 a.m. the cause was sudden cerebral apoplexy due to 5 years of chronic hypertension due to 5 years of chronic nephritis. Adelina Ortiz de Hill remembers that he came to visit the family at Rancho Pancho. She remembers him as a bald barber who had won the Irish Sweepstakes. Apparently there was a horse that had the same name as a duck of theirs, so he bet on the horse and it won. Adelina says that he felt terrible because his family had killed the duck and eaten it. Adelina was about ten years old and told him about all the chicken and duck friends they had eaten at Rancho Pancho. Felipe had decided to retire and had thought of moving to back to New Mexico, but found it unsatisfactory and boring compared to life in California. Her memories certainly fit in with what is said on the death certificate.

Eulogy Given at Rosary for Benjamin Thomas Delgado on February 7, 1973 (February 8, 1973)

Benjamin became a Los Angeles Fireman and retired in 1945. He was a man who always had a helping hand for those in need. During the depression years he was contributing to the support and welfare of many other families and later to friends in need, never expecting paying payment or acknowledgment. In 1928, prior to the depression, he married Emma Licon and had two sons, Benjamin Jr. and Joseph. He had the complete respect of his family and casual acquaintances. In 1950 he was first taken ill, with a stroke and complications followed through the subsequent years. In the 23 years of his illness he always kept his strong religious ties, reciting the Rosary daily and received Communion frequently. He received the last sacrament numerous times following critical periods of his illness. He passed away, peacefully in the company of his wife Emma, at home, with Rosary in his hands, 11:15 am February 5, 1973.

Newspaper Notice

Requiem Mass Set Today for Benjamin T. Delgado. Requiem Mass for Benjamin T. Delgado, descendent of a prominent Santa Fe, NM pioneer family and resident of Sepulveda for 14 years, will be celebrated today at 9 am at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church… with interment following at San Fernando Mission Cemetery. The resident of California since 1920 died at his home Monday. He was 86. An early ancestor of Mr. Delgado was Capt. Manuel Delgado who served in the Royal Army of Spain in 1776 and subsequently settled in an area which became New Mexico's capital. His grandfather Don Felipe Delgado was a probate judge and county commissioner in New Mexico and appointed superintendent of Indian Affairs by President Abraham Lincoln. Homes of the Delgado family are being restored and designates as state museums. Mr. Delgado himself served in the US Calvary under Gen. John J. Pershing, then transferred to the infantry and saw action during World War I in France where he was wounded twice and subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. At one time, because his identification tags were found on a battlefield, Mr. Delgado was reported as dead, and arrangements were made for his sister to receive insurance benefits. However, he was recovered by the Salvation Army which arranged for his return to New York. For health reasons Mr. Delgado moved to California and in 1925 joined the Los Angeles City Fire Dept. retiring in 1945. Surviving him qre his widow Emma L., sons Benjamin Delgado Jr. who is a detective with Foothill Division, Los Angeles Police Dept. and Joseph Delgado of Reno, Nev. and three grandchildren.

Donna Peterson has informed me that her mother, Phyllis Theresa Delgado Ackles passed away on December 3, 2018 in her home in Fort Bragg, California. She was almost ninety-nine years old. She was buried on December 12 at the National Cemetery in Westwood, California alongside her husband Raymond Ackles, buried in 1973. She was born to Philip S. Delgado and Theresa Delgado in 1919 in Los Angeles. Philip passed away before Donna was born. She believes that he only lived with Phyllis and Theresa when her mother was very small. According to an obituary online she was born in California. After graduating from high school, Phyllis became a homemaker in her own home. She called Mendocino County her home for 21 years of her life.