Menchaca, José Antonio

Born in San Antonio to Juan Mariano and María Luz (Guerra) Menchaca, Texas, José Antonio Menchaca (1800-1879) fought as a Tejano officer during the Texas Revolution. Before his marriage to Teresa Ramón, the mother of his four children, in 1836 he also fought in several of Mexico’s battles for independence from Spain. Granted amnesty by General Santa Anna at the Alamo, Menchaca left before the battle and later entered the Texan Army. In the army, Menchaca, a captain, gained renown at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836 with Juan N. Seguín’s company of Texas Mexicans. He returned to San Antonio afterward, where he was active during its development as an alderman and mayor pro tem in July 1838. In September 1842, under the leadership of General Adrián Woll he was injured while defending San Antonio against an invasion by the Mexican Army. Soon after being taken prisoner in a skirmish, Menchaca was released under the condition that he end his career as a Texas soldier. Menchaca never served in the military again. Later, Menchaca became an honored member of the Texas Veterans. Around 1870, he became an activist on behalf of the Tejano population, often testifying in court for members of the community. The town of Menchaca in Travis County, Texas, is named in his honor.

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