1908A Carrillo Family, p166-

[p. 166 J.J. Carrillo, 1908b]


     [p. 180] John J. Carrillo [1842- ].-There is no better known figure in Santa Monica than that of John J. Carrillo, at present Police Judge of the city. He is a native son-the son and the grandson of native sons, and he belongs to one of the oldest and best known families of California. He is a descendant of José Raymundo Carrillo, a native of Loreto, who came to California in 1769. Of him Bancroft says: "He may be regarded as the founder of the Carrillo family, which must be considered in several respects the leading one in California, by reason of the number and prominence of its members and of their connection by marriage with so many of the best families, both native and pioneer." [p. 181] Captain Carrillo married Tomasa Ignacia Lugo and their sons, Carlos, José and Domingo, were among the most prominent citizens of the Mexican period of Califoria history. Their only daughter, Maria Antonia, married Captain José de la Guerra y Noriega, one of the most brilliant figures in Santa Barbara history.

     [p. 181] Carlos Antonio Carrillo, grandfather of Juan J., was born at Santa Barbara in 1783. He began life as a soldier and was engaged in many military affairs. In 1830 he was elected a member of the Mexican Congress and worked earnestly for the interests of his country and the preservation of the mission. One of his speeches, "El Exposicion sobre el Fondo Piadoso" was the first production of a native Californian, printed in book form. In 1837, his brother José Antonio, who was an active politician, secured for Carlos an appointment as governor of California, with the privilege of locating the capitol of the state at his pleasure. In consequence of this document, the original of which is now in the possession of Mr. Juan J. Carrillo, Señor Carlos Carrillo chose Los Angeles as capitol and was inaugurated there with an elaborate ceremony-the only time that Los Angeles was ever made the capital [sic]. The distinction was short-lived, however, as Governor Alvarado refused to recognize the authority of his Uncle Carlos and after a brief and bloodless campaign, Don Carlos retired from the field. He was the grantee of the Sespe Rancho and of Santa Rosa Island. He died in 1852. Bancroft says of him: "In person Don Carlos, like most of his brothers and cousins, was large and of magnificient presence, distinguished for his courteous and gentlemanly manners. In all California there was no more kind-hearted, generous, popuar and inoffensive citizen than he." His wife was Josefa Castro; his sons José, Pedro C. and José Jesus; his daughters, Josefa, wife fo Wm. J. Dana; Encarnacion, wife of Thomas Robbins; Francisca, wife of A.F. Thompson; Manuela, wife of John C. Jones, and Maria Antonia, wife of Lewis Burton.

     Pedro C. Carrillo [ -1888], father of Juan J., was born in Santa Barbara and was educated in Honolulu and Boston. On his return to California he took an acitve part in affairs, filling various offices in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles and being the grantee of Alamos y Agua Caliente, Camulos ranchos and San Diego island. During the American conquest, he favored the Americans and was active in their behalf. In 1847 he was the guide who led a messenger from Stockton to Fremont through the enemy's country. He was made receiver of the port of San Diego, after the American occupation and later served as receiver of the port at Santa Barbara and at San Pedro. He spent the last years of his life in Santa Monica and died here May 28th, 1888. His wife was Josefa Bandini, a sister of Mrs. Arcadia de Baker and the oldest one of the famous Bandini sisters. It was she who made the American flag which was used by Commodore Stockton at San Diego-the first American flag raised in Southern California

     [p. 182] Juan J. Carrillo [1842- ] was born in Santa Barbara, September 8th, 1842. When he was ten years old he was sent with a party of boys, sons of Californians, to New York, making the trip around the Isthums of Panama in charge of a priest, who placed the youths in a private famity in New York City. The woman in charge proved to be a fraud, and the boys were taught nothing and were badly treated in every way, until an old friend of Mr. Carrillo's father discovered them. Then Juan and his brothers were removed to the College of the Holy Cross at Worcester, Mass. near Boston. Here they remained six years, returning to California in 1858.

     In 1864 Mr. Carrillo came to Los Angeles and entered the store of Caswell, Ellis and Wright, then one of the largest establishments in the state. He remained with the firm for 14 years, then served for four years as city marshal of Los Angeles. In 1881 he located in Santa Monica and has since that date been intimately associated with the history of this place. He acted for a time as agent for the Baker interests in this vicinity and has been instrumental in securing many valuable concessions for the city. For instance, in 1884 Mrs. Baker deeded the site of Woodlawn cemetary to him and he in turn, without compensation, deeded the same to the city. In 1888 he was elected as city trustee and for twelve years thereafter he was re-elected regularly, thus serving the city longer than any other trustee ever chosen. During this time he was for seven years, from 1890 to 1897, president of the board and thus acting mayor of the city. During his entire service he gave much time and energy to city affairs and Santa Monica has never had a more disinterested and honest official. In 1889 he took an active part in the contest made by Santa Monica against the proposed outfall sewer of Los Angeles, with its discharge on the beach between what is now Pier avenue and Venice. Mr. Carrillo personally canvassed the Ballona district and secured the signatures of the property owners to a protest against this action and d to an agreement which prevented Los Angeles from securing the proposed right of way for the sewer. When the first boad of trade was organized in 1888, Mr. Carrillo was chosen as secretary, an office which he filled for seven years. He was one of the active movers in the efforts to secure a wharf and a sewer system, and has always been a strong advocatefo good roads and parks. During his service on the board of trustees he accomplished much toward securing improved roads and streets. Old citizens have not forgotten the long and weary fight he made to secure the road to Calabasas in January, 1897. After his retirement from the council he served two years as superintendent of streets, from 1904 to 1906.

     In personal appearance and in character Mr. Carrillo i a worthy son of his ancestors, indeed, the description of his grandfather might apply with equal truth to himself. Honorable in all hi dealings, generous to a fault and kindhearted, even to his enemies, probably no man in Santa Monica commands more sincere regard. He was married, October 7th, 1869, to Miss Francisca [p. 183] Roldan, a woman of great beauty of character and person. She died in Los Angeles, March 2nd, 1897, and her funeral here in Santa Monca was a rare testimonial of the love and respect which were felt for her and her family.

     Mr. and Mrs. Carrillo had 13 children, of whom are now living Elisa, Mrs, Eliza Lopez; Atla, Mrs. A.H. Catkins; Diana, Mrs. Will Holton; of the sons, Ygnacio is a well-known dentist, practicing in Los Angeles; Eulogio is assistant engineer on the Southern Pacific; Leopold, or Leo, as he is more familiarly known, is traveling in the east, where his talents as a monologist and caricaturist have given him distinction. One son, Charles, died in Santa Monica, April 1st, 1905, and the youngest son, Octavio, is now in the employ of the Southern Pacific. In 1904 Mr. Carrillo married a second time, Mrs. Eva Fellner, an accomplished and beautiful woman.

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 Kelyn Roberts 2017