The Secundio (Papa) Gutierrez family moves to a homestead at 313 W. Van Buren, Harlingen. The family has its origins in Amozoc Puebla, Mexico. Secundio's father, Manuel brought the family to Brownsville in 1862 due unrest in Mexico. Soon after he moved to northern Cameron County where he and his teenage son found work on different ranches. At age 22 Secundio was married by Father Keralum to Guadelupe (Lupita) Loya Loya. The ceremony took place on the El Mameado Ranch which was 2.7 miles north of FM 498 on an extension of FM 507. They settle in La Jarita, which is on FM 1420, and in 1876 started a succession of nine children. In 1890 they move to La Crucita Ranch. This ranch incorporated three smaller ones – La Crucita, El Gigante, and La India. Its initial acquisition was by Manuel Gutierrez. At this, their second home, they have four more children. The ranch encompasses Surveys 39, 40, 293, 294, and 295. It is bounded on the south by the Arroyo Colorado, the north by Garrett Road, the east by Tucker Road and the west by Altas Palmas Road. What is now Dilworth road cut through the ranch and led to a low water crossing of the arroyo and on to Turner Road leading to the Military Road. These provided a route to go to Brownsville. The serious drought of 1896 dries up the rangeland and kills their stock. The below-average region rainfall actually extended from 1893 through 1902. Survey 39 later fell into the hands of the Georgetown Railroad Company and eventually was subdivided by the developer F.Z. Bishop. Survey 40 came into the possession of G.S. Dorough and 294 Dayton Moses. 293 and 295 were bought by the Corpus Christi, San Diego and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad Company. Secundio after selling the ranch will close his general store in that area and late commence a bakery on W. Van Buren then open a dry goods and grocery store on W. Harrison. Rosaura Guttierez is the daughter of Eugenio, one of the 13 children. She is active on the Cameron County Historical Commission, among many other activities. Joseph Muniz, assistant Harlingen librarian, is the great grandson of Petra, the sister born the year before Eugenio was in 1885.
United States Census, 1870 for Manuel Gutierrez

Name:
Manuel Gutierrez
Estimated Birth Year:
1818
Gender:
Male
Age in 1870:
52y
Color (white, black, mulatto, chinese, Indian):
White
Birthplace:
Mexico
Home in 1870:
Texas, United States
 
Household
Gender
Age
 
Manuel Gutierrez
M
52y

Secunduio Gutierrez
M
15y
United States Census, 1900 for Manuel Gutierrez

Name:
Manuel Gutierrez
Titles:

Residence:
Justice Precinct 4, Cameron, Texas
Birth Date:
May 1818
Birthplace:
Mexico
Relationship to Head-of-Household:
Self
Spouse Name:
Estebana C Gutierrez
Spouse Titles:

Spouse Birth Place:
Mexico
Father Name:

Father Titles:

Father Birthplace:
Mexico
Mother Name:

Mother Titles:

Mother Birthplace:
Mexico
Race or Color (expanded):
White
Head-of-household Name:

Gender:
Male
Marital Status:
Married
Years Married:
20
Estimated Marriage Year:
1880
Mother How Many Children:

Number Living Children:

Immigration Year:
1880
Enumeration District:
0021
Sheet Number and Letter:
14A
Household ID:
215
Reference Number:
9
GSU Film Number:
1241617
Image Number:
00481
 
Household
Gender
Age
 
Manuel Gutierrez
M

Spouse
Estebana C Gutierrez
F

Child
Clemente Gutierrez
M

Child
Secundino Gutierrez
M


Placida A Gutierrez
F


Bernardo Gutierrez
M


Josã© Gutierrez
M

Child
Lus G Garza
F


Sofia G Garza
F


Florina Garza
F


Sanaida Garza
F


Anastacio Garza
M