1st Battalion Native Cavalry, California Volunteers, personnel and family members buried at Saint Mary's Cemetery, San Buenaventura
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José de la Luz Arellanes

José de la Luz Arellanes enlisted at Santa Bárbara July 25 as private Company C and mustered in July 26, 1864. At enlistment he was described as age 19 years, height 5 feet 5 inches, with a Dark complexion, Grey eyes, and Black hair. Additionally his birthplace was recorded as Santa Bárbara and his occupation Ranchero. Private Arellanes mustered out with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866.

José de la Luz Arellanes, single, age 24 years, married Refugia García, single, age 17 years, a daughter of Sergeant Vicente García and María Antonia de Jesús Carlón, January 18, 1869.

The card record for his Government issued headstone indicates that José de la Luz Arellanes died February 19, 1879, and was buried at the "Ventura Cemetery, Ventura."

His obituary was published as follows: An accident occurred at the San Feliciano mines, in Piru Canyon, on Wednesday, the 19th inst., in which one man was killed and two others buried in a tunnel in which the three men were working. Two of then succeeded in extricating themselves, but the third was unable, and before he could be rescued the breath had departed from his body. The deceased José de la Luz [sic] Arrellanes [sic], was well known here, as this was his home, He was about thirty-six hears of age. He had quite a number of relatives at this place, and leaves a wife and two children to mourn his loss. They have the sympathy of all in their sad bereavement. A coroner's inquest was held on Thursday last and a verdict was rendered in accordance with the above facts. (Ventura Free Press, Feb. 22, 1879, 3:2)

In a newspaper article describing the 1902 Memorial Day activities of the Grand Army of the Republic Post [G.A.R.] at Ventura the name J. D. Arellanes [J. D., as in José de la.] was mentioned as being a veteran of the Mexican War. (Ventura Free Press, June 6, 1902, 5:3)

José Ramón de los Santos Ayala

Ramón Ayala enlisted at Santa Barbara July 25 as private Company C and mustered in July 26, 1864. At enlistment he was described as age 25 years, height 5 feet 7½ inches, with a Light complexion, Black eyes and hair. Additionally his birthplace was recorded as Santa Bárbara [sic] and his occupation Ranchero. Private Ayala mustered out at with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866.

Jose Ramon de Santos Ayala was baptized at Mission San Luís Obispo November 2, 1839.

His obituary was published as follows: Ramón Ayala a pioneer of this section and a veteran of the Civil war passed away at his home in this city Saturday afternoon. The deceased had lived long in Ventura and was favorably known by all the old residents. His wife had passed away a year ago and since that time, he had gradually failed. Mr. Ayala was his birthplace Santa Bárbara seventy-four years ago and had always resided in this or Santa Bárbara county. For many years, he was foreman of the Caire interests on Santa Cruz Island. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the California Volunteers and his two years service gave him an honored place in the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic. Deceased leaves five sons, all of this county. They are Ramón, Albert, Pablo, Joseph, and Nick Ayala. A sister Mrs. Mónica García1 resides in Santa Bárbara. Funeral services were held at the Old Misión on Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. The funeral was under the auspices of the Latin American Union and the Grand Army of the Republic. (Ventura Free Press, Jun. 27, 1913, 1:1)

Rita Davis de Ayala

Rita was the wife of Ramón Ayala. She was born at Santa Bárbara and was a daughter of John (Juan) Davis, from Norway, and Maria Rafaela Rosenda Cota. The names Ramón and Rita Ayala are listed on the Pioneer Memorial Rock at the Ventura County Museum of History and Art.

Her obituaries were published as follows: Ayala Funeral-Deceased had Noted Father. The funeral of the late Mrs. Ramona Ayala was held from the old Mission church Thursday at 10 o'clock. Deceased was aged 70 years and born in Santa Bárbara as Rita Davis. The wife of a veteran of the Civil War, she always took a lively interest in the Memorial Day exercises and attended the W.R.C. [Woman's Relief Corps, a support group for the G.A.R.] features of the gatherings of veterans. She was a well-loved woman with a large circle of friends in both this and Santa Bárbara counties. Those who survive Mrs. Ayala are, besides her husband, five sons and a daughter, as follows: Mrs. Eliza Ortega, Los Ángeles, Ramón Jr., Albert, Paul, Joseph and Nicholas Ayala, and two grand-daughters, Mrs. Eglesias of México and Miss B. S. Smith of Los Ángeles. There is a bid of interesting history connected with John Davis, or, as he was known in Santa Bárbara, Juan Davis, the father of deceased and grandfather of her children living here. Of an adventurous turn he drifted to France during the days of Napoleon and enlisted under the banner of the triumphant Corsican and was with him in many of his engagements, being at the great closing engagement at Waterloo, in which the Emperor went down. For services of a gallant kind during his fighting days, and especially in connection with the placing of a ruler on the throne of Norway, Davis was presented the cross of the Legion of Honor and this trophy is still in possession of the family being the property of an aunt living in San Luís Obispo. (Ventura Free Press, May 30, 1912, 6:3)

Pioneer Woman Passes Away. Mrs. Ramón Ayala of this city, a pioneer, passed away at an early hour on Tuesday at the home of her son, Ramón, at Piru, where she was visiting. She had been in failing health for some time and her death was not unexpected. She was an old resident of this city and county and a scion of one of the best known of the old-time California families. The body was brought to this city for interment. (Ventura Free Press, May 30, 1912, 6:4)

Alfonso Louis Ayala

Alonzo, son of Ramón and Rita Davis de Ayala, died November 6, 1910.

His obituary was published as follows: Alonzo Louis Ayala is called to his final rest. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ramón Ayala Ventura pioneers is saddened for the first time by the visit of the grim reaper. Death has taken their youngest son, Alonzo Louis Ayala, a native of Santa Bárbara, and a resident of this city for over twenty years. This young man was twenty-seven years of age. He was very popular with all who [that] knew him and was idolized by his parents and by his brothers and sisters. Death was the result of an illness of several months. The funeral will be held from the Old Misión at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning. (Ventura Free Press [w], Nov. 11, 1910)

Francisco Elizalde

Francisco Elizalde enlisted and mustered in at Santa Barbara July 25, 1864, as private Company C. At enlistment he was described as age 29 years, height 5 feet 7½ inches, with a Dark complexion, Black eyes and hair. Additionally his birthplace was recorded as Santa Barbara and his occupation Ranchero. Private Elizalde mustered out with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866.

The card record for his Government issued headstone indicates that Francisco Elizalde [sic] died May 28, 1895, and was buried at the "Ventura Cemetery, Ventura."

Francisco Elisalde [sic], a native of California, died Tuesday evening of Bright's disease. He was a member of the 1st Battalion Native California Cavalry. Members of the G.A.R. acted as pallbearers, and escorted the remains to the cemetery. (Ventura Free Press, May 31, 1895, 5:1)

María D. Juárez, mother of Francisco Elizalde, filed for a pension April 20, 1896, and was issued Application No. 632,922. A Certificate number for her application and a pension claim from her son has not been found.

Vicente García

Vicente García enlisted and mustered in at Santa Bárbara July 25, 1864, as private Company C. At enlistment he was described as age 44 years, height 5 feet 6½ inches, with a Light complexion, Black eyes and hair. Additionally his birthplace was recorded as Santa Bárbara and his occupation Ranchero. Sergeant García was reduced to the ranks by Drum Barracks Special Order No. 8. He was appointed sergeant at Arizona November 12 to rank from March 12, 1865. Sergeant García mustered out with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866.

José de Jesús García, son of Vicente García and Maria Antonia de Jesus Carlón, who was baptized at Misión Santa Bárbara January 15, 1847, served as a corporal company C.

Vincente [sic] García, an old man 80 years of age died at his home on Front Street Thursday of Consumption. (Ventura Free Press, Oct. 2, 1891, 5:1)

The card record for his Government issued headstone indicates that Vincente [sic] García died October 1, 1891, and was buried at the "Ventura Cemetery, Ventura."

In a newspaper article describing the 1902 Memorial Day activities of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Ventura the name V. García was published as being a veteran of the Mexican War. (Ventura Free Press, June 6, 1902, 5:3)

Teodora García de Mardueño

Teodora García was the widow of José de Jesús Mardueño private Company C.

José de Jesús Mardueño enlisted at Santa Barbara July 25 as private Company C and mustered in July 26, 1864. At enlistment he was described as age 37 years, height 5 feet 5 inches, with a Dark complexion, Grey eyes, and Black hair. Additionally his birthplace was recorded as Colima, México and his occupation Blacksmith. Private Mardueño mustered out with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866. After his discharge Mr. and Mrs. Mardueño lived at Santa Mónica Road, Carpintería and at Sea Cliff in the Cañón that bears his name. José de Jesús Mardueño was buried at Santa Barbara November 11, 1891. His widow and adult children José Vicente (1864-1933) and Sara Mardueño de Jones (1876-1931) lived out their lives in Ventura County.

María Teodora García, 15 days old, was baptized at Santa Bárbara April 16, 1844. Two of her brothers, Manuel de Jesús (1838-1910) and Manuel Francisco (1841-1940) served as privates Company C. They were mustered out with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866; lived must of their adult years in Ventura County, and both are buried at the Los Ángeles National Cemetery in West Los Ángeles. Teodora and Jesús were marred at Santa Bárbara July 13, 1860.

Her obituary was published as follows: Mrs. Theodora [sic] García de Mardueño died this [sic, Jan. 2] morning at 2 o'clock at Nordhoff. The deceased was born at Santa Bárbara and was 72 years of age. Funeral will be Monday afternoon at the Old Misión. The remains are at the residence of V. [Vicente] Mardueño, a son of the deceased. (Ventura Free Press, Jan. 8, 1915, 5:1)

Raymond Mardueño

Raymond, son of Anna née Rodríguez and Vicente Mardueño and a grandson of Teodora García and José de Jesús Mardueño, was born at San Buenaventura June 11, 1903. He died at San Buenaventura due to gastroenteritis April 13, 1910. His death record indicated his race as Spanish.

José de Jesús Rodríguez

José de Jesús Rodríguez enlisted at Santa Bárbara July 25 as private Company C and mustered in July 26, 1864. At enlistment he was described as age 29 years, height 5 feet 8 inches, with a Dark complexion, Black eyes and hair. Additionally the description indicated his birthplace was Santa Bárbara and his occupation Ranchero. During his term of service he was promoted to Corporal. Private Rodríguez mustered out with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866.

José de Jesús Rodríguez, age 74 years, died during the morning of May 10 at San Buenaventura and was buried May 12, 1909. His death recorded indicated that he was his birthplace California; he was a widower, and his race Spanish. A medical doctor attended him from July and last saw him alive on May 9. The cause of his death was mitral insufficiency of the heart. The informant for his certificate of death was J. Y. Rodríguez.

Antonio Soto

Antonio Soto enlisted and mustered in at Santa Bárbara July 25, 1864, as private Company C. At enlistment he was described as age 29 years, height 5 feet 8 inches, with a Light complexion, Grey eyes, and Black hair. Additionally the description indicated his birthplace was Santa Bárbara and his occupation Ranchero. Corporal Soto was reduced to the ranks by Drum Barracks Special Order No. 8, December 10, 1864. He was appointed sergeant at Drum Barracks March 13, 1865. Sergeant Soto was discharged for disability at Drum Barracks, in accordance with General Order No. 77, dated April 28, 1865 Adjutant General Office, War Department, Washington, June 9, 1865.

The card record for his Government issued headstone indicates that Antonio Soto died December 15, 1894, and was buried at the "Ventura Cemetery, Ventura."

In a newspaper article describing the 1902 Memorial Day activities of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Ventura the name A. Sotto [sic] was mentioned as being a veteran of the Mexican War. (Ventura Free Press, June 6, 1902, 5:3)

Brothers Antonio, Ismael/Ysmael, Jesús, and Juan Soto were 1st cousins of brothers Abrán de Jesus and Ramón Ayala. All six individuals served in Company C, 1st Battalion Native Cavalry.

Juan José Valenzuela

Juan Valenzuela enlisted and mustered in July 25, 1864, at Santa Bárbara as private Company C. At enlistment he was described as age 34 years, height 5 feet 8 inches, with a Light complexion, Grey eyes, and Black hair. Additionally his occupation was recorded was recorded as Ranchero. Private Valenzuela mustered out with Company C at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866.

Juan Valenzuela, age 63 years, married Dolores Ayala, age 45 years, widow of Ramón Durazo who also served as private of Company C, at San Buenaventura March 13, 1891. The marriage license for Mr. and Mrs. Valenzuela indicated that both were native to California and both were residents of San Buenaventura.

The card record for his Government issued headstone indicates that Juan Valenzuela died November 8, 1894, and was buried at the "Ventura Cemetery, Ventura."

His obituary was published as follows: Died. Valenzuela-In Ventura, November 8, 1894, Juan Valenzuela, age 72 years. (Ventura Free Press, Nov. 16, '94, 5:6)

In a newspaper article describing the 1902 Memorial Day activities of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at San Buenaventura the name Juan Valenzuela was published as being a veteran of the Mexican War. (Ventura Free Press, June 6, 1902, 5:3)

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Bright's disease: also called Glomerulonephritis, or Nephritis, inflammation of the structures in the kidney that produce urine.

Consumption: Tuberculosis, microbial disease that affects lungs, bones and other parts of the body.

Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines that comes with many diseases. (Mosby, 336)

Mitral: Relating to the mitral valve of the heart. (Mosby, 510)

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