By Roy Ortega
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| Hipolito Ramos |
I never knew either of my grandfathers. Both died long before I was born and I often wondered if my life might have been further enriched by the stories of their exploits and adventure. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas in the 1950s and 1960s, I was mostly curious about my maternal grandfather Hipolito Ramos. My mother spoke lovingly of him but always in quiet and somber tones. I don't recall ever hearing his name mentioned at family gatherings. My cousins, who in my childhood numbered in the dozens, knew little or nothing about him either. Even my grandmother, abuelita Cirila Huerta Ramos, spoke very little of him. In our proper Mexican American family, children were rarely allowed to initiate conversations with adults unless prompted.
Details of Hipolito's character, personality and demeanor seemed to have been held in quiet reverence. He was listed in government and documents as a laborer. But members of his extended family on both sides of the U.S. and Mexico border were known to be well-established in business and community.
Hipolito Ramos was born in 1897 and died in 1943 at the age of 46. His grave is located in Monclova, Mexico.
Hipolito's father was Marcelino Ramos who was born in 1867 and died in 1912 at the age of 45. Hipolito was 15-years old when his father died. His mother was Maria Ynes Barrera who was born in 1879.
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| The grave of Hipolito Ramos |
Hipolito's father was Marcelino Ramos who was born in 1867 and died in 1912 at the age of 45. Hipolito was 15-years old when his father died. His mother was Maria Ynes Barrera who was born in 1879.
According to family members and immigration documents, Hipolito was sent to live with his uncle Pedro Ramos Bueno who had migrated to San Antonio, Texas in 1913. The 1920 U.S. Census shows the family resided at 425 S. Pecos in San Antonio. Hipolito and Cirila Huerta were married on January 7, 1922, at the home of close relatives at 413 Oak St. in San Antonio.
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| The 1930 U.S. Census |
By 1930, the U.S. Census showed that Hipolito and Cirila lived at 608 S. Pinto (rear) in San Antonio with their five children - Eliel, Raquel, David (Arturo), Omega and Rebecca. Pedro (Pitin), Elisa and Noemi were born later. The home on Pinto St. was owned by Pedro Ramos Bueno, who by then had established a grocery store called La Patria. Two small houses were located in the rear of the property. Pedro's niece Elisa Ramos lived in one of the houses and the other was used as a family shelter for other members of the family.
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| Pedro Ramos Bueno raised Hipolito |
Immigration documents show that Hipolito, Cirila and their children returned to Mexico sometime in the early 1940s. One family account described a concern that the older boys who were nearing military draft age would be sent to fight the war in Europe.
Sadly, Hipolito died in Monclova, Mexico in 1943 at the age of 46. The circumstances of his death are unclear. Cirila and the children made their way to the border town of Piedras Negras while they waited to finalize their immigration status. They later returned to the U.S. and settled in various parts of San Antonio.
Abuelita Cirila passed away in 1989.
Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com
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| Hipolito Ramos and Cirila Huerta married on January 7, 1922 in San Antonio, Texas |
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| Wedding announcement Hipolito and Cirila |
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| Cirila and her grown children in later years |
