Jose Benjamin Montes
and
Maria Natividad Grijalva

Jose Benjamin Montes was born in San Elizario, Texas in 1905. His brother Jose Jesus Montes was born in 1888, also in San Elizario, Texas. Jose Benjamin’s father, Agapito De Jesus Montes (Jesus Montes), was born in San Elizario in 1851 and was the son of Telesforo Montes, born in San Elizario in 1820. His great grandfather, Ramon Montes was born in San Elizario in 1795.

Jesus Montes served in the Texas Rangers in 1874 alongside his father. In 1933 while doing research on his book, “The El Paso Salt War of 1877,” C. L. Sonnichsen, the author, consulted with Jesus Montes on the subject of the Salt War.

Nancy Lee Hammons wrote in her book, “El Paso To 1900," that Jesus Montes was elected as a County Commissioner of San Elizario on November 17, 1890 at the age of 38.

On March 16, 1938, The El Paso Herald Post published an article on Jesus Montes. Betty Luther wrote about Jesus Montes and the headline read, “Oldest Resident Of San Elizario Recalls Battles With Indians.” She spoke of Jesus’ heritage, accomplishments and his experiences during the years when San Elizario was the County Seat, a vibrant community and part of the great frontier west of the Mississippi. Jesus Montes was quoted as saying, “ I am the oldest resident of San Elizario… Tomas Garcia, who was commissary sergeant in the same troop in which I fought the Mescaleros, was the oldest. He died three years ago.” Tomas Garcia had married Maria Angela Montes, born in 1842, the daughter of Telesforo Montes and sister of Jesus Montes. Betty Luther further stated, “The mantle fell on Mr. Montes as the patriarch of the valley’s most colorful town.”

Like his father, Jesus Montes was addressed as “Don Jesus” which is a sign of respect in the Spanish community. He was known as “Papa Jesus” to his family and was loved and admired by everyone who came to know him.

Conrado Montes
October 15, 2003