De Baca, Ezequiel Cabeza, 1864-1917

<p>Ezequiel Cabeza De Baca (November 1, 1864 – February 18, 1917) was the first Hispano elected for office as lieutenant governor in New Mexico's first election. His term as lieutenant governor was followed by his election as the second elected governor of New Mexico. This term was brief as he died shortly after taking office. He was the state's first elected Hispanic governor, and the first governor born in New Mexico after its annexation by the United States.</p>

<p>He was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory on November 1, 1864. He studied at the Jesuit College, now Regis University, in Las Vegas, NM. He worked for the railroads before becoming an influential journalist and Editor of La Voz de Pueblo. Ezequiel C. de Baca was married on December 14, 1889 to Margarita C. de Baca at Peña Blanca, NM. He is a descendant of the original Spanish settlers who later became part of the Baca Family of New Mexico.</p>

<p>In 1891, he began working for the Las Vegas Spanish weekly newspaper La Voz del Pueblo. It was there that he became associated with the newspaper's publishers, Antonio Lucero (who would become New Mexico's first Secretary of State) and Felix Martinez (who would later found the Martinez Publishing Company).</p>

EZEQUIEL C. DE BACA was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on November 1, 1864. His early education was attained in parochial schools of his hometown, and later he attended the Las Vegas College. Before entering politics, he worked as a teacher and a postal clerk, as well as a journalist for the La Voz del Pueblo, a weekly Spanish newspaper. De Baca first entered politics as the deputy clerk of the San Miguel County District Court. He also served as a delegate to the 1900 Democratic National Convention; was board chairman of the New Mexico Asylum for the Insane from 1912 to 1916; and served as the lieutenant governor of New Mexico from 1912 to 1917. De Baca next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by popular vote on November 7, 1916. Six weeks after his inauguration, Governor De Baca became seriously ill, and passed away on February 18, 1917. He was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

<p>Many times during the historical course of a society, leaders emerge to represent their people and assist them in societal concerns. Much of the history of a people is thus manifest in the types, number and charisma of its leaders. The case of the Hispano in Las Vegas is no exception, since numerous political, civic and other popular leaders worthy of historical mention appeared on the scene throughout the early history of the community. Their neglect from history does not detract from their importance.</p>

<p>The following historical sketch will present one of Las Vegas' eminent historical leaders at the turn of the century, Don Ezequiel C. de Baca. His determination to dedicate much of his life's work originated in Las Vegas, and later on it extended to New Mexico and all New Mexicans, resulting in a successful twenty-six year career as a community advocate and political leader. Ezequiel C. De Baca, who became New Mexico's first Lieutenant Governor in 1912 and its second Governor in 1917, remained the only native-born Hispano to hold the governorship until much later when Jerry Apodaca held the coveted position in 1974.</p>

<p>The name Cabeza de Baca needs little introduction in New Mexico as it takes us back to the first Spaniard to enter this area of the Southwest, Alvar Núnez Cabeza de Vaca. The exact relationship between Ezequiel C. de Baca and Alvar Núnez is unknown since the latter returned to Spain following his nomadic exploits in the New World. At one time Ezequiel commented on his family saying "it is generally accepted that we are descendants of Alvar Núnez Cabeza de Vaca, a member of the Narváez expedition which was wrecked in the coast of Florida in 1527, who, in 1536 while on his way across the continent passed through New Mexico. It is presumed that sometime afterwards some descendant of his or of the same family came to New Mexico and settled here.</p>

<p>Governor C. de Baca was the second elected governor of the new state of New Mexico. He was the first Hispano elected governor of any state. According to newspaper account however, a serious illness manifested itself during the campaign in which he was elected. His inauguration took place in a local hospital or sanitarium January 1, 1917 and was attended only by a few people. Accounts said that he had been suffering from pernicious anemia. The governor was then transferred to Los Angeles for more aggressive treatment but it failed to produce favorable results and the newly elected governor died on February 18, 1917.</p>

<p>Governor C. de Baca was born in November, 1864 to Tomás Cabeza de Baca and Estefanita Delgado de Baca in San Miguel county where he attended parochial schools and a Jesuit institution known as Las Vegas College. His great-grandfather had claimed land in the general area as early as the 1820. Governor C. de Baca’s ancestor was the recipient of a land grant and his father Tomás may have been the first family member to reside there. The federal government eventually vested title to the original grant to the town of Las Vegas but allowed the C. de Baca heirs to select other land. Tomás was a farmer and rancher and also served as a representative to the territorial legislature and as a probate judge in the county. At the time the governor’s death, it was mentioned that the family believed that it was descended from explorer Álvar Nuñez Cabeza de Baca who lived from about 1490 to 1560. Further research has apparently confirmed the connection.</p>

<p>One of Governor C. de Baca’s earliest jobs was to serve as a railroad mail clerk on a line between Las Angeles and El Paso for about five years. He then was engaged in the real estate business in Las Vegas and served as county and district clerk under Félix Martinez. He also worked with Martinez and others in a Spanish language weekly publication, La Voz del Pueblo and later organizations including the Martinez Publishing Company. C. de Baca was also active for decades in other groups and movements that promoted Spanish education and heritage. His first campaign for public office was when he unsuccessfully ran for probate clerk. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1911 and for the next five years presided over the state senate in its three sessions. He was nominated by the Democratic convention in August and went on to be elected Governor on November 7, 1916 by about 1,500 votes, the newspaper account said.</p>