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1. Interview with Alfonso de Leon

Creator:
de Leon, Alfonso
Date Created:
1975-07-08
Description:
Alfonso de Leon was born in Antila de Nopales, Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in 1902. He traveled with a military band during the Mexican Revolution and in 1918 came to the United States, where he worked in a mine in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He got married in 1922 in Bridgeport, Texas, where their first child was born. From 1923 to 1929 he worked in beet fields in Wyoming, Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota. They moved to Minnesota in 1929, and he started working in the Armour Packing House. He became involved in Mexican-American community organizations and activities in St. Paul. He retired from Armour in 1965. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Early life in Mexico - the Mexican Revolution - life in Texas - work in the beet fields - the early Mexican-American community in St. Paul, including its organizations and festivals - his family - and personal views and philosophy of life. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. This is an extremely valuable interview on the early history of the Mexican-American community on St. Paul's West Side.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

2. Interview with Alfonso Galvan

Creator:
Galvan, Alfonso
Date Created:
1975-07-30
Description:
Alfonso Galvan was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in 1898. He fought in the Mexican Revolution and came to the United States in 1919. In 1923 he came to Chaska, Minnesota, and worked in the fields. He also worked as a butcher, for Armour for four years and for Swift for six years. He worked for Cudahy's for twenty-five years until 1954, when the plant closed. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Mexican Revolution - crossing the river and entering the United States - working for railroads, in farm fields and in the meatpacking industry - the first people in the West Side neighborhood of St. Paul - the Anahuac Society - celebrations on the West Side - his philosophy and advice to the young. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

3. Interview with Angel and Maria Garcia

Creator:
Garcia, Angel
Date Created:
1976-08-06
Description:
Angel Garcia was born and lived his early years in Houston, Texas. Maria Garcia was born in Chicago. In 1951 they moved to Winona County, where they raised three children. Angel Garcia is the prosperous owner of a trucking business, a tavern in Stockton, Minn., a farm and other real estate. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Their reasons for moving to Minnesota - educational history - their employment records - organizations - ways in which Mexican heritage has affected their lives - and continuation of Mexican culture. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Their daughter, Chris, also speaks in the interview.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

4. Interview with Angelita R. Martinez

Creator:
Martinez, Angelita Reyes
Date Created:
1976-08-20
Description:
Angelita Reyes Martinez was born Sept. 27, 1927, in Waterloo, Iowa. She moved to St. Clair, Minnesota, with her parents in 1930 and moved to Minneapolis in 1934. She married Ramon Martinez in 1946. At the time of the interview she had three grandchildren, Ramona, Vicente and Georgie Ann. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - education - visits to Mexico - founding of the Twin Cities chapters of the League of United Latin American Citizens - Mexican customs and holidays - and the meaning of being a real Mexicana. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

5. Interview with Angelo and Marcella Elizondo

Creator:
Elizondo, Angelo
Date Created:
1975-07-08
Description:
Angelo Elizondo was born in Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in 1909. At the age of three he came to the United State with his parents, who were seeking employment. He grew up working in Texas coal mines during the winter and in beet fields in other states during the summer. Marcella Elizondo was born in Taft, Texas, in 1919. She grew up working in beet fields and came to Minnesota in 1929. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Their families, including parents and siblings - their children's names and occupations - experiences in Marcella's life which include several visits by apparitions - the evil eye" - remedies made from herbs - and advice for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

6. Interview with Antonio Morales

Creator:
Morales, Antonio
Date Created:
1976-07-15
Description:
Antonio Morales, one of nine children, was born in 1934 in San Antonio, Texas, and moved to the Blooming Prairie, Minnnesota area with his family in 1947. Married in 1952, he and his wife, Genevive, have eight children. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His independent trucking business - his family - working in the fields in southern Minnesota - his philosophy in raising children - and continuing the Mexican heritage.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

7. Interview with Arturo and Elvira Coronado

Creator:
Coronado, Arturo
Date Created:
1975-08-18
Description:
Arturo Coronado was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. His father was a successful railroad conductor in Mexico, but in 1915, when Arturo was ten years old, the family left the country because his father didn't want to be involved in the Revolution. They returned to Mexico later, only to go back to the United States again. He arrived in Minnesota in 1923 and held a variety of jobs, primarily tailoring and dry cleaning. Elvira Coronado was born in 1908, also in San Luis Potosi. Her father had an accident while in the United States seeking his sister, and the family came to join him in Houston, Texas. She came to Minnesota with her husband. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Immediate family, including names, birth dates and occupations - personal life history - the community in St. Paul - Arturo Coronado's dry cleaning business, and his work in organizing a labor union for that trade (1930-1946) - their first restaurant in St. Paul, La Casa Coronado, and their later restaurant in Minneapolis - Guadalupe Church - and advice for future generations.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

8. Interview with Ben Gonsalez

Creator:
Gonsalez, Ben
Date Created:
1976-07-27
Description:
Ben Gonsalez was born in Laughton, Oklahoma, in 1921 and came to Minnesota with his mother in 1930 to work in the beet fields and canning industry. He was drafted into the military in 1942 and discharged in 1945. In 1946 he got married in Winnebago, and he worked at Fairmont Canning Company for sixteen years. At the time of the interview he was involved in the Pentecostal movement. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His move to Minnesota - Minnesota Citizens for Migrant Affairs - and his work as acting minister and missionary for the Temple de la Fe, a Pentecostal church in Guckeen, Faribault County.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

9. Interview with Carlotta F. Arellano

Creator:
Arellano, Carlotta Felix
Date Created:
1975-07-30
Description:
Carlotta Felix Arellano was born in 1905 in Las Petacas, in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. Her father's name was Juan Francisco Felix, and her mother was Josefa Ramos de Felix. The family immigrated to the United States in 1920, crossing the border by train to El Paso, Texas. She arrived in Arlington, Minn., in 1932 and was living in St. Paul at the time of the interview. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Mexican Revolution, including several personal experiences - working in farm fields in Wisconsin and Arlington and Gaylord, Minn. - and St. Paul's West Side community, including her early years here and organizations to which she belonged. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The interview was done in Spanish and transcribed into English. Most of the tape is slow.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

10. Interview with Concepcion Huerta

Creator:
Huerta, Concepcion
Date Created:
1976-08-03
Description:
Concepcion Huerta was born in Mexico and arrived in Minnesota with her husband, Matias, and their one-year-old daughter, Maria, in June of 1916. Her husband had come to Minnesota under contract to work for the railroad. He later became the first Mexican American drafted in Minnesota - he served in World War I and was discharged in 1918. He later worked for Swift and Company until his retirement. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Concepcion Huerta lived on the West Side since 1916 and insisted that all her ten children learn Spanish. In this interview she talks about their arrival on the West Side - Mexican families who lived in St. Paul in 1916 - early religious services conducted in Spanish at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church - the beginning of the annual Mexican celebrations - and buying groceries without knowing English. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

11. Interview with David B. Limon

Creator:
Limon, David B.
Date Created:
1975-08-05
Description:
David B. Limon was born in 1886 in Encarnacion de Diaz, Jalisco, Mexico. He came to the United States in 1913, arrived in St. Paul in 1923 and worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for thirty-eight years, retiring in 1961. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His work for the railroad - picking cotton in Texas - Mexican remedies for physical ailments - his home and family life - and advice for others. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

12. Interview with Dionisa "Nicha" C. Coates

Creator:
Coates, Dionisa Cardenas
Date Created:
1975-07-10
Description:
Dionisa "Nicha" Coates was born in Cambria, Minn., on Oct. 9, 1928. She attended kindergarten in Chaska, Minn., and finished schooling in St. Paul. She worked for the government in Washington, D.C., for three and a half years, then returned to St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Experiences of her youth - personal history - the Spanish Speaking Cultural Club - the bilingual/bicultural program in the St. Paul public schools - educational opportunities for young people - organizations she is a
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

13. Interview with Esiquia S. Monita

Creator:
Monita, Esiquia S.
Date Created:
1975-07-07
Description:
Esiquia Monita was born in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1902. In 1906 she crossed the border to El Paso, Texas, with her mother. She grew up in Kansas, working in beet fields. She married once in Kansas and moved with her husband to Chicago. She married again while in Chicago and came to St. Paul with her second husband. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - early Mexican settlers in St. Paul - harvesting beets and corn in Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota - her husband's occupations - and food. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. Part of the tape is garbled and difficult to understand.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

14. Interview with Felicitas Herrera

Creator:
Herrera, Felicitas
Date Created:
1975-08-05
Description:
Felicitas Herrera was born in Pirindaro, Mexico, in 1909 and came to the United States in 1920 by crossing the river at Laredo, Texas. She came to Minnesota to work in 1927 and continued to work throughout her life, while also being active in the Guadalupanas, who work to continue religious customs celebrating the fiesta day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. At the time of the interview she lived in St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Early life in Mexico - various jobs in field work and meatpacking - religious life - and the Guadalupanas. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. A photocopied newspaper column on Herrera is in the Mexican-American Project file in the oral history office.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

15. Interview with Francisco and Casimira Gomez

Creator:
Gomez, Francisco
Date Created:
1976-07-26
Description:
Francisco Gomez was born in Pueblo Diario, Jalisco, Mexico, in 1907. He came to the United States in 1922 and Minnesota in 1927 and worked for 23 years at the Armour Packing Company in St. Paul. Later he and his wife, Casimira Gomez, retired to a small farm in Hollandale. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Francisco Gomez's early years in the United States - his move to Minnesota - community on St. Paul's West Side - advice to younger people - family history - holiday celebrations and Mexican food. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

16. Interview with Francisco and Delores Guzman

Creator:
Guzman, Francisco
Date Created:
1975-07-17
Description:
Francisco Guzman was born in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, on Oct. 4, 1900. Dolores Rodriguez de Guzman was born in a small town in the state of San Luis Potosi. They met in Mexico and married in Ojinada, Chihuahua. In 1922 they came to the United States and settled in St. Paul in 1929. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Mexican Revolution - Francisco Guzman's military service in Mexico - his employment with railroads, sugar companies and various contractors - Mexican traditions and food - and family life. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

17. Interview with Frank C. Guzman

Creator:
Guzman, Frank C.
Date Created:
1975-07-14
Description:
Frank Guzman was born in Mexico in 1934, moved to the United States, served in the armed forces, and was director of Migrants in Action, Inc., of St. Paul at the time of the interview. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Migrants in Action program, including its foundation, history, present status and hopes for the future - and personal history.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

18. Interview with Frank Chavez

Creator:
Chavez, Frank
Date Created:
1975-07-07
Description:
Frank Chavez was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1928. He moved to Minnesota in 1934 and worked in the beet fields with his parents. After high school he joined the Navy, and in 1960 he went into the printing business in St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His family - business - and the Navy.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

19. Interview with George Galvin

Creator:
Galvin, George
Date Created:
1975-07-16
Description:
George Galvin was born May 25, 1910, in El Paso, Texas. He spent his early years living in various places, and in March of 1920 he came to Minnesota. As a young man, Galvin pursued a boxing career. In his adult years he held a variety of jobs and was active in organizing unions and the Minnesota branch of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - boxing career - unions he helped to organize - LULAC - his store and bar - employment record - future hopes and advice for younger people.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

20. Interview with Gregory Gonzalez

Creator:
Gonzalez, Gregory
Date Created:
1975-06-24
Description:
Gregory Gonzalez was born in Oklahoma in 1920, came to St. Paul in 1924, entered the military in 1942, attended Macalester College in St. Paul, and works for the Minnesota Department of Revenue. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Establishment of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Credit Union in 1948 - personal history and work experiences - and views on the community.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

21. Interview with Guadalupe Cruz

Creator:
Cruz, Guadalupe
Date Created:
1975-07-07
Description:
Guadalupe Cruz was born in 1894 in Tepatlitan, Jalisco, Mexico. Her parents were Braulio Jimenez and Silvina Gutierrez. She was married in 1914 and entered the United States at El Paso, Texas, in 1921. Cruz lived and worked in California, Arizona and Colorado. Upon the death of her mother, she returned to Mexico for eight months. In April of 1929 she arrived in Minnesota with her husband and immediately became involved with activities in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and in other activities of the Mexican-American community in St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family and life in Mexico - the Mexican Revolution - travel and lice infestation on trains going to the border at Juarez, Mexico - life in the beet fields - life, activities and festivals for the early Mexican-American community in St. Paul - beginnings of activities of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church - leaders of the West Side community - songs sung for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12 - and family history and family problems. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. Cruz is one of the oldest members of St. Paul's Mexican-American community. She knew many of the first leaders and was involved with many of the first activities of the church and community.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

22. Interview with Jesse and Josephine G. Jimenez

Creator:
Jimenez, Jesse
Date Created:
1976-07-12
Description:
Jesse Jimenez was born in Hollandale, Minn., in 1935 and spent most of his childhood in southern Minnesota towns. He entered the service, then came back to Minnesota and worked in 1958, when he and Josephine Gallo Jimenez were married. The following year, he went to Tallahassee, Fla., where he lived for six years, then came back to Minnesota in 1965. Josephine Gallo Jimenez was born in Mason City, Iowa. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Jesse Jimenez discusses his family background - education and employment experiences - participation in social and fraternal organizations - his drive-in restaurant, which he bought in 1969 - hopes for his children - boxing and other sports - and subtle discrimination. Josephine Jimenez discusses her family - employment as an office worker - and her children. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Josephine Jimenez's comments are at the end of the interview.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

23. Interview with Jesus and Ramona Mendez

Creator:
Mendez, Jesus A.
Date Created:
1976-07-16
Description:
Jesus Mendez was born in Zamora, Michoac_n, Mexico, on Aug. 4, 1910 and immigrated to East Grand Forks, Minn., in 1927 on contract with a sugar company. Ramona Mendez was born in Texas and moved to Minnesota in 1942. They married in 1943 and had ten children. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - education of their children, including discouraging children from working in the fields - Mexican customs - and Jesus Mendez's employment with the Migrant Education Program in Crookston at the time of the interview. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

24. Interview with Jesus A. Patlan

Creator:
Patlan, Jesus Asencion
Date Created:
1975-08-09
Description:
Jesus Asencion "Jesse" Patlan was born in Mexico City in 1940 and immigrated to Minnesota in 1960, settling in St. Paul in 1962. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Early life in Mexico - current conditions in Mexico - problems of language and cultural adjustment encountered in the United States - job discrimination against Mexicans in Minnesota - comparisons between the two countries. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

25. Interview with Jesus J. Mercado

Creator:
Mercado, Jesus John
Date Created:
1976-08-05
Description:
Jesus John Mercado was born in Spearville, Kansas, on Dec. 19, 1921. His family moved to St. Paul in 1935, and in 1941 he graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul and won the middleweight championship of the city's Golden Gloves amateur boxing organization. He enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and served in the South Pacific. He won the Guadalcanal light-heavyweight Golden Gloves title, was wounded on the island of Guam and again at Iwo Jima, and was discharged in April of 1945. A month later he married Mary Salas and returned to St. Paul. He joined the St. Paul Police Department in 1948. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - schooling in Kansas and Minnesota - his service in the Marine Corps - and his career in the St. Paul Police Department. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Supplementary papers on family history are in the Mexican-American Project file in the oral history office.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories
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