Medardo Heracleo Garza, also known as Medardo E. Garza, Sr. was born on June 8, 1889 in Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The second oldest son, he would eventually become manager of the "La Violeta" ranch and the estate after “Papa Martin” passed away in November 1926 and remained so until at least the mid 1930's. He was an excellent horseman, a skilled hunter, a talented and hardworking carpenter and an eloquent writer. He was tall, very handsome, extrodinarily disciplined and like the rest of the Garzas, passionate. Medardo married the beautiful Maria del Pilar Garcia Garcia who was also of Guerrero and was born on October 12, 1897 and was known for her remarkable green eyes that changed to blue with her attire. Both their parents had homes there close to the church in the center of town. They married in Hebbronville on October 28, 1920. They lived for a number of years at Rancho La Violeta and Guerrero. They later moved back to Texas and settled in Hebbronville because “Pilar’s” family was also prominent there. They too had several children and although the first boy died as an infant, five others survived. Their purpose of moving to Hebbronville was to improve the family life and see the children attended school. Maria del Pilar, known to us as “Mama Pilar” and "Abuela Pilar" lived and raised her family in a house given to her by her parents, at 301 East Amada in Hebbronville. Many years later the house was rebuilt and remains today owned by my dad, Medardo E. Garza Jr. At some point, probably in the late 20's, after his father passed away, Medardo accepted the option to cut out a section of land from the "La Violeta" and manage that on his own. He chose to select a portion of the ranch called "La Soledad." For some years he continued to manage both "the Estate" or "La Violeta" and "La Soledad." He managed to construct three buildings, houses and sheds, run a farm, and raise a number of animals including donkeys, mules and horses along with cattle and goats. At some point, the houses burned and Medardo built a cabin of mesquite logs. That house remained standing until the mid 1970's. Portions of Rancho "La Soledad" remain in the family and continued, until recently, to produce excellent Beefmaster cattle. Incidentally, Medardo Heracleo Garza despised his middle name and at some unknown point in time, he dropped the “H” from Heracleo and became known as M. E. Garza. When his second son was born, taking the American naming tradition, he called him M. E. Garza, Jr. and gave him the name Medardo Eustorgio Garza and he assumed the title of Mr. M. E. Garza, Sr. He died an untimely death on December 4, 1942. Pilar was a baker and a fine quilter whose crafts were so fine they were given as wedding gifts. Pilar raised fruit trees, baked cookies for her grandchildren and sewed quilts and even mended a torn jersey for me right up until she passed away which was after a long illness on January 11, 1976. They had six children, Jorge who died as an infant, Amparo, my father, Medardo E. Garza, Jr., Roberto Lauro, Alicia and Carlos. Each of them later moved away from Hebbronville and raised their own families. From them there are 19 grandchildren, over 30 great grandchildren and a few great great grandchildren who mostly remain in Texas but some live far and wide. My sister, like all the Garza women, has our grandmother's beauty, my oldest brother and our cousin, Roberto Lauro Jr., are handsome like our grandfather, but I have grandmother's remarkable green eyes!
Los Garza del Rancho La Violeta
The history of the ranch and its founders:
Don Martiniano Garza Flores and
La Doña Paula Villareal Benavides de Garza
