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The Veracruz family represents several generations of local vaqueros and ranch hands that contributed to the prosperity of early Kyle. Vaqueros and ranch hands tended to the day-to-day jobs of breaking horses, roping, branding and herding cattle on local ranches or driving cattle to northern markets. As cattle prices declined, they sheared sheep and maintained local ranches.
Pedro Veracruz (1825-1895) and Juanita Tejeda (1844-1929) formalized their marriage in Hays County in 1886. Oral history details that 11-year-old Pedro first came to Texas with General Santa Ana's troops during the Battle of the Alamo. Much too young for the battle, he guarded the mule train. Years later when the U.S. Civil War erupted, he returned to San Antonio with horses for the military and met his future wife, Juanita Tejeda. Veracruz registered his cattle brand with the State of Texas in May 1865 and enjoyed decades of success. Before he died, he willed horses and cattle to Juanita and their children Catarina, Maria Engracia, Salvador, Teresita, Carmen, Pedro Jr., Jesús, Cristóbal, and Sixta. Veracruz is buried in a nearby burial ground along with his son Antonio (1871-1889) who died at age 19.
Pedro and Juanita's grandson, Leonardo Veracruz Candelaria (1884-1950), became a vaquero for area ranches, continuing the family's legacy. His parents, Teresita and Antonio Candelaria, married in Hays County in 1883. Other notable family members include Valdo Eshlaud Castillo Jr. (1838-1918), Luciano Cisneros Sr. (1871-1946) and Reyes Cisneros (1838-1918), whose daughter Juanita married Salvador Veracruz. Local descendants recall hearing stories of their ancestors including traveling the rodeo circuit with Buffalo Bill. The Veracruz family played an important role in the cattle industry that helped shape the cowboy and cattle culture in Central Texas. (2021) |
