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Maximino PADILLA OLIVIERI

Born in the barrio of Almacigo Alto in Yauco, PR, on May 29, 1879, Maximino was baptized in the local parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario on October 22, 1879. His godparents were Antonio Abrini and Luisa Muñiz as stated on Page 213, Entry 1236 of the Baptismal Book 29.

On July 4, 1902, Maximino married his second cousin, Juana Pia Muñiz, the daughter of Miguel Muñiz Olivieri and Wencesla Flores Bracero and a native of Yauco. (Yauco Civil Registry, Page 169, Entry 43 in Book 14.) This union produced two children: Diego Benito (1903-1966) and Leopoldina (1904-1984).

Maximino Padilla Olivieri joined the Insular Police circa 1905 where he served with pride, along with his cousin Antonio Padilla Collado of Guánica, until his death on September 10, 1914. He was amongst a distinguished list of Corsican immigrants and their descendents that protected and defended the island of Puerto Rico.

The marriage of my great grandparents was dissolved in 1904 and it appears that Maximino may have left Yauco and taken my grandfather to live with him in another town with some relatives. To date, I have been unable to find "Max" as I have come to affectionately refer to him enumerated in the 1910 Census of any of the barrios of Yauco, nor in Guánica. Neither have I had much success in locating his death certificate.

Felicia Bentine Padilla,
Great grand daughter

Feel free to contact me with any additional information or correction.
< Fnbteach@aol.com >

Agapito LOPEZ SANCHEZ

Nació en el pueblo de Moca, P.R. el 18 de agosto de 1883. Hijo de Conrado Lopez Lassalle (circa 1840) y de Narcisa Sanchez Cardona (circa 1844), naturales de Moca, PR

Según inscripción 655 al Folio 166 del Libro 24 de Bautismos de la Parroquia Nuestra. Señora De La Monserrate de Moca, PR, sus abuelos paternos fueron Julian Lopez Pitrat y Clotilde Lassalle y los maternos Vicente Sanchez y Dolores Cardona. Fueron los padrinos Trinidad Miranda y Pía Bosques.

En el Censo Federal de los Estados Unidos del 1910 aparece viviendo en la calle San Sebastián del pueblo urbano de Moca. Vivía allí con sus padres y dos hermanos, Nicolasa (circa 1885) y Antonio (circa 1890).

 
Su ocupación es descrita como soldado de los Estados Unidos. Sirvió en la seguridad del Canal de Panamá durante la Primera Guerra Mundial alrededor del 1917 y se retiro como sargento, siendo la carrera militar su única ocupación conocida. La reserva militar Henry Barracks en Cayey fue su lugar de entrenamiento y en este pueblo conoció a la que fue su esposa, Georgina Diaz Nieves (circa 1884), hija de Antonio Diaz Jesus (circa 1838) y Dolores Nieves Cintron ( circa 1846), naturales de Cayey. De su unión procrearon a Ester (circa 1912-1999), Maria Irma, (1914-), Berta (1919-) y Agapito Jr. (1916-1978).

Falleció entre 1952 y 1954 en San Juan de Puerto Rico.

Maria de los Angeles Lopez de Dodson,
Nieta

Cualquier información o corrección pueden comunicarse conmigo a la siguiente dirección
<  lindasite10@gmail.com  >

of friends and "family" that were mentioned and remembered by my family while I was growing up.

What is known for sure about Ana's life is that she married Atanacio Valentin c. 1922. I do not have a certificate to cite but we have a very lovely tinted sepia photograph of her seated, in her wedding dress with bouquet that is still in it's original frame (how it made it to New York undamaged in the trip, I will never know). Circa 1937, she made her trip to New York and I was told by my grandmother who made the trip with her at about age 13 that they arrived on either the eve or on Christmas day. Atanacio did not make the trip to New York with her and the rest of his story is unknown, at least for now.

Ana settled in Manhattan on 109th St. with her daughters, Monserrate and Margarita. As was usual at the time for all Puerto Rican settlers, she worked very hard and long at many menial jobs such as filling sausage casings in a factory and sewing piece work. Ana lived a very long life and was eventually grandmother to 6, great-grandmother to 12 and great-great grandmother to 8. She passed away at age 85 in March of 1972.

I have since found out that Margarita may not have been her natural daughter but instead was the daughter of Atanacio Valentin and Felipa Velez (as noted on Form SS-5 for Margarita "Margot" Velez Valentin). This is an interesting twist in my family history for which I will have to do some digging to get more details. However, what I find so wonderful is that regardless, Ana raised Margarita as her own daughter.

Anna Maria Nieves,
Great grand daughter

Feel free to contact me with any additional information or correction.
<  amn1963@earthlink.net  >

Born April 1, 1902 in Lares, PR
Died March 16, 1997 in Bayamón, PR

 
Francisco GONZALEZ TOLEDO

 
He was a career military man, a husband, and a father, not destined to be famous... but in my eyes, he was the greatest man in the world. He lived to be 96 years old with the greatest sense of humor, with a memory that could only be a blessing from God, to tell us stories that would mesmerize us... to discipline with love, to instill values that would guide us through life... His voice still echoes in my mind....

He joined the military in 1917 and retired in 1947. He was a member of the 65th Infantry and began his career serving in Henry Barracks, Cayey PR. In the early 1930's, he met and married Crucita Burgos Vazquez (b. Sept 14, 1911 d. March 29, 1976) in Bayamón, the daughter of Ramon Burgos Sollivan b. 1878 and Gumercinda Vazquez Vazquez b. 1880 (1910 U.S. Federal Census, Bo. Matón Arriba, Cayey, E.D. 904, Hoja 8B, line 34.) In the 1930's they became a family: first came twin daughters named Raquel and Ruth, who were followed by a son named Francisco Gonzalez Burgos. His duty sometimes called him away from his young family; during WWII he served in Fort Buchanan and the Panama Canal; he did return safe and sound. In 1946 he represented Puerto Rico in the Central American Games held in Baranquillas, Colombia, as a member of the sharp shooting team.

After retirement he returned to school under the GI Bill, and then came a new addition to the family. Edgardo Gonzalez Burgos was born in the last days of 1949, and brought joy, cheer, and laughter. He educated his four children to become a lawyer, a medical doctor, a registered nurse, and a college professor. It was done with great sacrifice, and great joy. His legacy goes on and on...

Happy 100th wherever you are!

Ruth Gonzalez de Clouser,
Daughter

Feel free to contact me with any additional information or correction.
< rpclouse@tricountyi.net >

 
Andrea REYES VALENTIN
(30 Nov 1919 - 18 May 1988)

Born in the barrio of Buenavista in Hatillo, PR, on November 30, 1919 Andrea was the youngest of her 6 siblings.

On September 16, 1939 Andrea married her love, who was coincidently named Andres. (Andres Candelaria Ruiz) This union produced two children: Ada Irma and Daisy. They were born in Hatillo, PR as well, but came to Brooklyn, New York in the early 1950's to make their settlement.

She loved harvesting, gardening and was a seamstress since the age of 7. She was a great story teller, loved to sing and always had great sayings (refranes).

Andrea loved the word of God and raised her children, grandchildren and lived her life with this dedication. She was also dedicated to her family, she would unite her family members every possible moment, bringing unity and admiration from all who knew her, for who she was and where she came from.

Many knew her as Tia or Andreita, she was everyone's grandmother, but I knew her as Mami.

Haydee Hernandez de Rodriguez,
Grand daughter

Feel free to contact me with any additional information or correction.
< hr245@att.net >

 
Andres CANDELARIA RUIZ
(16 Oct 1916 - 13 Feb 1977)

Andres as the eldest of his 6 siblings was born in el barrio of Buenavista in Hatillo, PR, on October 16, 1916.

He married his only true love Andrea Reyes Valentin, and after his 2nd child was born, he was inducted to serve his country during World War II. Andres served as Private First Class, 4346th Quartermaster Service Company, 65th Infantry Regiment from 1944-1946. The story is told of how he had to endure burying hundred of his fellow soldiers in Okinawa. He was a bugler and a soldier, and held his duty proud.

My granddad received 2 Overseas Service Medals, the American and Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He will be one of the many heroes from the 65th Infantry Regiment who will be honored in early spring 2004 at the National World War II Memorial.

He then went to Pennsylvania and New York, where he ultimately settled with his family and descendents. As the eldest, he helped his family members and gave them a place to stay so that they too can also get a headstart in New York. Many will remember his kind heart and his strong commitment to family security.

Haydee Hernandez de Rodriguez,
Grand daughter

For those interested in my information regarding the
National W.W.II Memorial, you could email me at < hr245@att.net >

Last Update January 8, 2004
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