Estefana Alvarado Esquer

"Death of Early Pioneer Woman Recalls Early Troublous Days in State"
Death here on the night of the anniversary of Admission day of Mrs. Estefana Esquer, daughter of Juan Bautiste Alvarado, is looked upon as a coincidence, linking past and present generations. Mrs. Esquer in recent years has thought and talked much of the original Admission day in 1850 when she with other native Californians looked on the spectacle of lowering the Mexican flag at the state capitol, Monterey, and the raising of the stars and stripes to the same standard.

Mrs. Esquer, perhaps the oldest resident of San Luis Obispo, died at her home, 1117 Marsh street, about 10 o'clock Saturday night, after a lingering illness extending over several months. She was 84 years of age, and has been a resident of this city for the past 64 years. She was a native of Monterey where her father, as governor, was stationed. Funeral services were held this morning at 10 o'clock, the procession moving from Freeman's parlors to the catholic church, where Rev. Fr. P.M. O'Flynn celebrated high mass. Pall bearers were J.W. Childs, H.P. Childs, Richard Leland, William Mallagh, Ed Martin and C.B. Hughston. Interment was in Catholic cemetery.

Mrs. Esquer's death will recall to pioneer settlers some of the stormy days of early California. In Guinn's History of California, Gov. Alvarado is spoken of as "the ablest of the native Californians" as far back as the early thirties. Aligning himself with Jose Castro, Alvarado succeeded after many difficulties in subduing the southern California faction that sought to remove the state capital from Monterey and set it up at Los Angeles. Carlos Carrillo was leader of the southern faction and it was not until he had been vanquished and a prisoner, restrained at Santa Barbara with a grant of Santa Rosa Island, that Alvarado could claim title to ruling a loyal people. In the latter part of 1839 notice was received that the supreme government in Mexico had recognized Alvarado's claim, and peace was restored for a number of years. Then came another revolution with more fighting in the south and, while Alvarado was deposed he was given charge of the custom house at Monterey, a very important position. Pio Pico served then as governor, but men from eastern states were fast settling in the state and soon took over control.

In addition to being the daughter of a prominent early Californian, Mrs. Esquer became the bride of E. Esquer, superior judge at Monterey, who had been married before to a niece of Gov. Pico. At their wedding, music was furnished by a band from the U.S. battleship "Savannah" in the harbor of Monterey.

Mrs. Esquer leaves one sister, Mrs. Salome Sanchez of Santa Clara, who was unable to attend the funeral. Of her own blood relations, a niece, Mrs. Virginia Sutton of Los Angeles has been with Mrs. Esquer for about a week, leaving this afternoon for home. Another niece, Mrs. Mounier, lives at Bisbee, Ariz. Mrs. R.E. Childs of this city is a step-daughter of Mrs. Esquer, as was also Mrs. Charles W. Dana, wife of the former county clerk here. Harry and John Childs, Mrs. R. Leland, Mrs. E.R. Fraser of Santa Clara county and Mrs. William Mallagh, Miss Tita Childs of this city are step-grandchildren of deceased."

(from San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram, Monday 11 Sep 1916)