Ezequiel Cabeza De Baca

He was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory on November 1, 1864. He studied at the Jesuit College, now Regis University, in Las Vegas, NM. He worked for the railroads before becoming an influential journalist and Editor of La Voz de Pueblo. Ezequiel C. de Baca was married on December 14, 1889, to Margarita C. de Baca at Peña Blanca, NM.[1] He is a descendant of the original Spanish settlers who later became part of the Baca Family of New Mexico.[1]

In 1891, he began working for the Las Vegas Spanish weekly newspaper La Voz del Pueblo. It was there that he became associated with the newspaper's publishers, Antonio Lucero (who would become New Mexico's first Secretary of State) and Felix Martinez (who would later found the Martinez Publishing Company).[1]

De Baca served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1900.[2] In 1912, after New Mexico became a state, he became its first Lieutenant Governor, serving from 1912 to 1917.[1] It is during this period when he did his most important work for the State. He was a key to developing New Mexico's first state constitution which includes specific language about providing bilingual education to all citizens.[1] His professional background as a journalist gave him deep insights into the needs of the citizens of New Mexico, which were further enriched by his travels around the state prior to being elected Lt. Governor. He did not want to pursue elected office to run for governor but was vigorously lobbied by the party and ultimately consented. At the time the pay for these elected officials was very small and he had by now a large family. Although his failing health prevented him from taking a significant part in his own campaign, he was elected the Governor of New Mexico on November 7, 1916. Inaugurated on January 1, 1917, he was sworn into office on his sick bed in St. Vincent Sanitarium in Santa Fe, with only a score of persons attending.[1][2][3]

He died on February 18, 1917, in office. He had been sick for a long period of time and had traveled to California for treatments which were not successful. He was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Las Vegas, New Mexico.[2]

De Baca County is named for Governor de Baca.[4]

Ezequiel and Margarita Cabeza de Baca had 14 children, 5 of whom died in infancy.[1]

• Adolfo Amado C de Baca 1890–1953
• Alvar Nunez C de Baca 1892–1892
• Horacio Virgilio C de Baca 1893–1893
• Margarita Esefan C de Baca de Martinez 1895–1969
• Jose C de Baca 1897–1897
• Horacio C de Baca 1898–1970
• Maria Juana C de Baca 1900–1902
• Celia C de Baca 1902–1996
• Hortencia C de Baca 1903–1996
• Alfonso C de Baca 1907–1951
• Maria Natalia Adeleida C de Baca 1909–1973
• Ezequiel C de Baca 1911–1911
• Adelina C de Baca 1913–2009
• Alicia C de Baca 1916–2010

• Baca Family of New Mexico
• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States

• "Biography of Ezequiel C. de Baca". The University of New Mexico. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2007-11-25.

• Ezequiel Cabeza De Baca at Find a Grave
• Biographical information – National Governors Association
• Biographical information by Anselmo F. Arellano
• Biographical information – University of New Mexico