Grandfather of:
Jacabo Guillmero Montoya and
Toby Martinez
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Del Norte Prospector dated Feb. 27, 1931 and an article written by Antonio Valdez that appeared in the March 6, 1931 issue:
Luis Montoya, aged 102 years, probably the oldest man in the Southwestern section, passed away at his home here Wednesday night, Feb. 25, 1931. A general weakened condition at his age was the cause of his passing. He had been blind and partially paralyzed for twenty-two years.
Mr. Montoya first came to this area in 1859, before the town of Del Norte was established, with a band of sheep. He left but returned later in 1872, with his family, and settled on the ranch now owned by John Fuchs. He was a prominent and picturesque gentleman of the old school—a man typical of the early day western settler. Burial will be Friday from the Catholic Church at Del Norte.
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Luis Montoya was born in the settlement of El Rito in northern New Mexico during a restless and tumultuous period. Old Spain had lost her 300 year grip on the North American continent. Her erstwhile viceroyalty of Mexico was experimenting with self-government and in the new experience of political independence at the southern capital, the northern colony of New Mexico was forgotten to work out her own salvation as best she could. Indian raids upon the settlements became more frequent and more violent. In those years of hazard, Mr. Montoya’s boyhood was spent.
One incident recounted of those days was one night when the family awoke to find itself surrounded by a band of Navajos, who overpowered and disarmed the men, taking all prisoners, grown as well as children. The Indians carried their captives back into the hills, traveling the rest of the night until noon the following day. Then, suddenly, the Indians turned and rode in a different direction, leaving the Montoya family unharmed behind them. Returning to their home, they learned the Navajos had surprised the settlement in the early morning, killed several people and drove off their stock, besides carrying off several children. The capture and release of the Montoya family was later explained when it was learned that the elder Montoya—the father—had once performed a favor for the chieftan of the Navajo band, who had not forgotten it.
Early manhood found Mr. Montoya, with his family, in Mora, New Mexico where he met his first American—that man was Kit Carson. By 1858, the Montoya’s had moved to the southern part of the San Luis Valley. The following fall he drove his father’s sheep and 100 head of cattle to the present site of Del Norte, with one man to help him, and he spent the winter here. The famous Ute Chief, Ulay or Ouray, was his neighbor on Frisco Creek. Returning home, he later traveled to the Kansas plains to hunt buffalo. While so engaged, he met Mark Biedell, a resident of Del Norte. Biedell was a noted buffalo hunter and he did not meet up again with Mr. Biedell for some fifteen years. During this period Mr. Montoya served as a government employee in Wyoming and with the U.S. soldiers in various forts. He did interpreting for two of the Indian tribes, with whose dialect he was conversant. He met and worked with noted characters, including William F. Cody—“Buffalo Bill”.
When Denver became a notable distributing center, Mr. Montoya took up freighting with oxen, working between Denver and Huerfano County, where he married and settled. In 1874, his oldest brother, Nerio, persuaded him to move to Del Norte to make his home. Four brothers had preceded him in 1864, taking up land on the creek which they named after their former home—Los Pinos.
Mr. Montoya went into the sheep business on what is now the John Fuchs ranch. In this he was successful, at one time owning 16,000 head.
Mr. Montoya was married three times, his last wife, Francesquita G. Montoya, whom he married in 1926, survives him. He had ten children, six of them living, all from his first marriage: Don, Fernandez, Juan D., Mrs. Jack Thomas, all of Del Norte, and Mrs. J. B. Lobato of Radium, Colorado. His deceased children were Mrs. J. L. Montoya, Mrs. Joe S. Trujillo, Mrs. J.C. Cantu, and Mrs. Joe B. Martinez. Forty-two grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren also survive.
~Courtesy of Rosalind Weaver
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From Rootsweb Message Board by vctrchavez:
Luis Montoya's father was Jose Fernando Montoya b.1799-Abiquiu, NM; his mother was Maria Manuela Sisneros b.1807 San Juan de los Caballeros NM
Jose Fernandos' father: Jose Manuel Montoya, mother:Maria de Loreto Pacheco.