José Chaves | |
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| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from theNew Mexico Territory's at-large district | |
| In office February 20, 1869 – March 3, 1871 | |
| Preceded by | Charles P. Clever |
| Succeeded by | José Gallegos |
| In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Perea |
| Succeeded by | Charles P. Clever |
| Personal details | |
| Born | José Francisco Chaves (1833-06-27)June 27, 1833 Padillas,New Mexico,Mexico (nowBernalillo County,New Mexico,United States) |
| Died | November 26, 1904(1904-11-26) (aged 71) Pinos Wells,New Mexico Territory, U.S. (now nearCedarvale, New Mexico) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | Dolores |
| Relatives | Mariano Chaves (father) |
| Education | Columbia University |
José Francisco Chaves (June 27, 1833 – November 26, 1904) was a nineteenth-century military leader, politician, lawyer and rancher from theNew Mexico Territory.
José Francisco Chaves was born on June 27, 1833, in Los Padillas, New Mexico (then in theDepartmento de Nuevo México of theUnited Mexican States) in what is now Bernalillo County, near Albuquerque, New Mexico. His father was DonMariano Chaves and his mother Dolores Perea was the daughter of Don Pedro Jose Perea of Bernalillo.[1] She later married Dr.Henry Connelly,[2] who became Territorial New Mexico governor during the Civil War. José's father, Don Mariano Chaves, was chief of staff under GovernorManuel Armijo in therevolution of 1837 and inspector general of all the military forces of New Mexico. Don Mariano later served aspro-tem governor under Mexican rule in the absence of governor Armijo. José Francisco was a paternal grandson of DonFrancisco Xavier Chávez,[3] thefirst Governor (1822–1823) of theDepartmento de Nuevo México under the independentFirst Mexican Empire shortly afterMexican War of Independence from Spain ended in 1821. José was also a first cousin ofFrancisco Perea and ofPedro Perea. His daughter,Dolores Elizabeth "Lola" Chávez de Armijo, is noted for her successful fight to keep her job as state librarian after GovernorWilliam C. McDonald attempted to remove her on the basis that she was a woman.[4]
José Francisco Chaves attended schools inSt. Louis, Missouri, studiedmedicine at theNew York College of Physicians and Surgeons and engaged inlivestock raising in theNew Mexico Territory. He married Mary Bowie in 1857, who died in 1874, leaving two children, Lola and Francesca. The former married Mariano Armijo, descendant of a prominent family of Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The latter died in 1895.[5]
Chaves served as a soldier in campaigns against theNavajos prior to the Civil War. At the outbreak of theCivil War, Governor Connelly commissioned Chaves asmajor when the 1st Regiment NM Volunteers for theUnion Army formed. AfterCeran St. Vrain resigned his commission with the 1st,Kit Carson was appointed colonel and Chaves was promoted to lt-colonel.[6] In 1862 he took part in theBattle of Valverde. He was recognized for gallant and meritorious services, and later helped establishFort Wingate, of which he was post commander for a long period. He was honorably mustered out of the service of the United States in 1865.[7]
Chaves owned an Indigenous girl named Maria in 1860 to "mark his social wealth". It is likely that he abducted the thirteen-year-old girl either during a raid on an Indigenous community or by purchasing her at a rescate (auction). Chavez's mother and step-father owned as many as four enslaved Indigenous children.[8][unreliable source?]
Returning home he began to study law and in due course was admitted to the bar. In politics he was a staunchRepublican and in 1858, while absent campaigning against the Navajos, was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the territorial legislative assembly, taking his seat in 1860. In 1865 he was elected delegate from the New Mexico Territory to theU.S. House of Representatives and served in the 39th and 40th Congresses from 1865 to 1867. He was elected back to the House of Representatives in 1868 and successfully contested the election ofCharles P. Clever in 1869, serving again until 1871, being unsuccessful for reelection in 1870. In 1875, he was elected a member of the legislative council fromValencia County and was reelected to every succeeding legislature. Chaves was president of the New Mexico Territorial Council for eight sessions.
Chaves continued in farming andlivestock raising. He wasdistrict attorney of the second judicial district from 1875 to 1877 and was a member and president of theNew Mexico constitutional convention in 1889. He wasNew Mexico Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1903 to 1904 and was appointed New Mexico State Historian in 1903.
Chaves career was cut short by anassassination in Pinoswells, New Mexico on November 26, 1904, where he was shot through a window while dining in the home of a friend.[9] The identity of his assassin remains a mystery. He was interred inSanta Fe National Cemetery inSanta Fe, New Mexico.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Delegate to theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Mexico Territory's at-large congressional district 1865–1867 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Delegate to theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Mexico Territory's at-large congressional district 1869–1871 | Succeeded by |
| Territorial (1851–1912) |
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| At-large seats (1912–1969) |
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| Districts (1969–present) (3rd district established in 1983) |
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
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