Jose Garza Contreras

Notes:

When Jose registered for the World War II Draft, he listed his DOB as March 19, 1909 in Texas, and the person who will always know his address was shown as his wife, Mrs. Jessie Contreras. Their address was Box 1041, Beeville, Texas, and his employer was Howard Bros of Beeville. He listed his full name as Jose Garza Contreras, but went by Joe.

In 1930, a Jose Contrera, age 21, was living on Blanconia Road in Bee, Texas, with Antonio and Louise Contreras...parents of Henrique (age 3) and Elida (newborn). He was listed as a brother of Antonio. Other siblings of Antonio's, sharing their home, were Theodora (32), Pablo (30), Louisa (28), Domingo (25), and Francisco (21). All of Antonio's siblings were working on his farm.

As Antonio's draft registration for World War II, done in Bee County, show his parents as Juan Manuel Contreras and Domencia Garza, it is assumed these are the parents of Jose Garza Contreras as well. An 1999 obituary of Eloisa Contreras Hernandez, also of Beeville and born around 1900, also show her as a daughter of Juan Manuel and Demenica Contreras.

1940 Bee County, Texas census
JP 1, SD 14, ED 13-5, Sheet 10B

Jose Contreas 31 Head TX Labor Retail Furniture Store Last grade completed Elementary 7th
Jesusie Contreas 24 Wf Texas Last grade completed Elemenary 7th
Olga Contreas 2 Daughter Texas
Hortenxe (sic) Contreas 10/12 Dtr Texas

In the 1948 Beeville City Directory, he and Jesusa were living at 1308 S Washington in Beeville, and his occupation was shown as Floor Covering Man.

1950 Bee County, Texas census
ED 13-15B, Sheet 1

Contreras, Jose J Head W M 41 M Tx Service Man Furniture Store
Contreras, Jessie Wf W F 34 Tx
Contreras, Olga Dtr W F 12 Tx
Contreras, Hortencia Dtr W F 9 Tx
Contreras, Luis Son W M 8 Tx
Contreras, Mary Sylvia Dtr W F 2 Tx
Contreras, Juan M Son W M 5 Tx

Family/Spouse: Jesusa "Jessie" Laurel. Jesusa (daughter of Paulino Canales Laurel and Amada Vela) was born on 13 Jan 1916 in Poth, Texas, United States; died on 11 Jun 1994; was buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Olga Contreras was born on 25 Mar 1938 in Beeville, Bee County, Texas; died on 1 Oct 1991 in Los Angeles County, California.
2. Hortencia Contreras was born on 13 Apr 1940 in Bee County, Texas; and died.
3. Living
4. Living
5. Living

Notes:

In 1910 Juan and his family were living in Beeville, Texas. Juan and his wife were shown as born in Mexico, as were their parents. All children were shown as born in Texas. Next door the family were Encarnacio and Matilda Contreras, ages 45 and 28, with children Guadalupe-9, Domeotila-6, Antonio-4 and Augustina-1.

Juan and "Demencia" were still living in Bee County at the time of the 1910 Federal census, with nine children ranging in age from age 19 to age 1. They were both shown as married once, for 20 years, with a total of 9 children born to them, all still living. Juan was shown as a laborer at a wood yard.

His 1928 Texas Death Certificate shows his parents as B Cantraria and Guadalupe Garcia, both born in Mexico, Informant was Mrs Juan Contraria.

The 1933 Death Certificate of Encarnacion Contreras, who lived next door to Juan and his family in Beeville in 1910, showed his parents as Victoriano Contreras and Gudalupe Garcia, both born in Mexico.

Juan married Clemencia G. Garza on 3 Nov 1890 in Hidalgo County, Texas. Clemencia was born on 1 Nov 1869 in Mexico; died on 28 Mar 1932 in Bee County, Texas; was buried in Our Lady of Victory Cemetery #1, Beeville, Bee County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Their marriage record, recorded in Hidalgo County, Texas lists them as Mr Juan Manuel Contreras and Miss Clemencia Garza.

Her headstone is engraved:

Clemencia G. Contreras
Nov. 1, 1869
March 28, 1932

Un recuerdo de sus hijos; D.E.P.
[or A memorial from her children; Rest in peace]

She is instead listed as Demencia on some census records.

Notes:

Family Search shows him as a son of Jose Manuel Contrares Trevino and Rafaela Garza Olivares of Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Victoriano married Guadalupe Garcia on 18 Jun 1856 in Nuestra Senora del Refugio, Matamoros, Tamulipas, Mexico. Guadalupe was born about 1838 in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Family Search shows her as a daughrer of Jacinto Garcia and Petra Loza, both of Matamoros.

Jose married Rafaela Garza Olivares about 1833 in Tamualipas, Mexico. Rafaela was born about 1818 in Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]