Santiago Argüello (1791–1862) was a soldier in the Spanish army in Alta California.

[edit] Life

Santiago Argüello was born in present day Monterey, California, the son of José Darío Argüello, a soldier, and María Ignacia Moraga, a niece of the acting governor of Alta California. Argüello was tall and stout. His fair complexion and black hair, along with his reserved manner gave him a regal presence. His reserved manner caused some to dislike him. He was a man of ability and left an honorable record.^[1]

In 1805, Argüello entered the Spanish Army as a cadet in San Francisco. He spent his army years in the Presidio of San Francisco, the Presidio of Santa Barbara, and the Presidio of San Diego. Argüello was paymaster at the Presidio of San Diego in 1818, and in 1821 had a garden in Mission Valley. Argüello's took part in the Bouchard Invasion. In 1827-31 he was lieutenant of the San Diego Company, and commandant from 1830 to 1835. From 1831-35, Argüello was captain of the company and (reluctantly) took part in the 1831 revolt against Governor Manuel Victoria. In 1833-34 he was revenue officer at San Diego.

Argüello helped establish the Pueblo (town) government of San Diego in 1835, with five other soldiers. The soldiers sent a committee of five to the commandant to complain of hunger and lack of clothing and demand a payment on account of back pay. The command­ant began to put them in irons, but the threats of their comrades compelled him to desist. They appealed to the General, who promised them justice, which he soon after administered.^[2]

In 1829, Argüello was granted Rancho Tía Juana,^[3] and in 1841, Rancho Trabujo for his services.

During the Mexican-American War he was friendly to the Americans and gave them considerable aid. He welcomed the stabilizing influence of the Americans, as the California government was in disarray after the ouster of Governor Manuel Micheltorena in 1846. With Juan Bandini he issued an appeal to not to resist the Americans. Soldiers were quartered at his house and he held a commission as captain in the California battalion. Was a member of the Legislative council in 1847 and made collector of the port.

In 1846 the Mission San Diego de Alcala lands were given to Argüello.

Argüello married María del Pilar Ortega, daughter of José Francisco Ortega, 1810 in Santa Barbara. They had 15 children, 5 in Santa Barbara and the rest in San Diego. Among the children were: Santiago E, Francisco, Ignacio, José Antonio, José Ramon, Santiago E. Arguello, Refugia who was married to Juan Bandini, Teresa who was married to José M. Bandini, María Luisa, who was married to Agustín V. Zamorano, and Concepcion, who was married to Augustín Olvera.

Argüello died on his Tia Juana ranch in 1862, and his widow died in 1878.

[edit] References