| The del ValIe Family Three generations of del Valles served their country through either military service or in responsible governmental positions under the Mexican government and the new government of California. Their lives were closely associated with the most prominent and influential citizens of Mexico and California during the tumultuous years of California's entrance into the United States and its rise from a rural state to one of power and influence. Antonio del Valle, a native of Compostela, Mexico, played a prominent role in both the Spanish and Mexican colonization of California. He arrived in California in 1819 as a lieutenant in the San Bias Infantry, responsible for delivering forty men to the presidio of San Francisco. New troops were called to reinforce the garrisons that had been attacked the previous year by the privateer Bouchard. The Company moved to Monterey and Antonio became commander in 1822. In 1824 he was placed in charge of secularizing the San Fernando Mission and served as majordomo until 1837. In recognition of his years of military service, he received the 48,612 acre Rancho San Francisco grant in 1839. Ygnacio del Valle, son of Antonio, began his military service in 1825 as a cadet at the Santa Barbara Presidio. Following his training, he accompanied Comandante General Don Jose Echeandia to San Diego and served as staff adjutant and harbormaster in San Diego until 1832. By 1832 he had attained the rank of second lieutenant and was put in charge of the San Gabriel Mission. The following year he joined the Monterey presidial company and under Governor Figueroa was put in charge of the secularization of the Santa Cruz and San Francisco missions. As a trusted officer, Ygnacio was charged with the military command at: Monterey during Figueroa's absence. He left the military in 1839. As a reward for his services to the government, he was granted Rancho Tejon in 1843. Continuing in public service, Ygnacio del Valle accepted numerous positions of importance in both the Mexican and American governments. During the 1840s he served as a member and secretary of the junta (council), and treasurer of civil government under Governor Pio Pico. In 1850 he was elected recorder of Los Angeles County and in 1852, he was elected to the California legislature. His residence, located near the plaza in Los Angeles was the center for political meetings. Ygnacio's son Reginaldo was born in the family home on the Plaza in 1854, the second child born to Ygnacio and Ysabel Varela after their marriage in 1852. Perhaps it was his father's influence and the numerous political meetings held at the house that led Reginaldo into public life. By 1873, he graduated with honors from the Santa Clara College in San Jose and by 1871 he was admitted to the bar and elected to the Assembly in 1880. In 1882, at the age of 28, he was the youngest member ever elected as president of the State Senate. Although he lost- the 1884 congressional campaign, he continued to work for the Democratic Party as a delegate to numerous state conventions and as elector in almost all presidential elections. Following his campaigning for Grover Cleveland in 1893, he was offered ministries to Chile and Japan, which he declined. In addition to Democratic politics, Reginaldo del Valle had a great interest in California history and promoted it through preservation efforts due in large part to the influence of his close friend, Charles Lummis. Together with Lummis, Reginaldo was a founding member of the Landmarks Club of Southern California, formed in 1887 to advocate for the restoration of the missions. He was one of the forty founding members of the Southern California Historical Society and spearheaded the committee to restore the San Fernando Mission and to mark the El Camino Real with bells. In 1913 Reginaldo was appointed by Woodrow Wilson as his personal representative to Mexico, and in 1914 was appointed president of the Los Angeles Public Service Board, later known as the Water and Power Commission on which he served for more than 20 years. For a glimpse at the del Valle Family Tree click here |
| Rancho Camulos Museum Home of Ramona |
| Rancho Camulos Museum A Non-Profit California Corporation We are a 501(c)3 organization. Donations made to Rancho Camulos Museum are tax-deductible. For further information about Rancho Camulos write to: Rancho Camulos Museum P O Box 308 Piru CA 93040 or call 805-521-1501 |
| Ygnacio del Valle |
Born: 15 Dec 1854 Los Angeles, CA Married: 02 Sep 1890 Hellen M. (White) Died: 20 Sep 1938 |
| Born: 01 Jul 1808 Compostela, Jalisco, Mexico Married: 14 Dec 1851 Ysabel Varela Died: 30 Mar 1880 |
| Ulpiano del Valle |
Born: 1837 Died: March 28 1905 |
Ysabel Varela del Valle
| Reginaldo Francisco del Valle |
| Born: Mar 2,1865 Rancho Camulos Married: October 22, 1906, Clara Dowling Died: February 27, 1936 |
| Nena del Valle Cram (with guitar) and Susanita del Valle |
| Group photo: (1) Señora Ysabel del Valle, mother of Josefa; (2,3,4) unknown; (5) Senator Reginaldo del Valle |
All Rights Reserved 2009
Rancho Camulos Museum
Rancho Camulos Museum
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| on the steps of the Large Adobe |
| Did You Know? |
| many stayed at Rancho Camulos enjoying the hospitality of Senora del Valle and her family |