Vicente G. Alfaro, Sr.

Biographical Information

Vicente G. Alfaro, Sr. was born in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.  His parents were Nabor and Margarita Alfaro.  Since he immigrated in 1902 or 1903, it is possible that he was educated in Tucson, Pima Co., AZ.  In any event, he had a grammar school education and attended vocational school.  He married Elisa Garcia January 8, 1917 in Tucson, Pima Co., AZ.

Vicente Alfaro registered for the World War I draft on June 5, 1917.  He stated he was born January 27, 1895 in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.  He was a mechanic for the Southern-Pacific Railroad.  He was described as short with dark brown eyes and black hair.  He was not bald.

May 19, 1919, a 24 year old Vicente Alfaro, boiler maker, declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen in the District Court, District of Arizona.  He stated he was born January 27, 1895 in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.  He was living at 286 South Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona.  His last foreign residence was Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.  He was married to Elisa Garcia.  He crossed the border in 1902 at Nogales, Arizona on the Southern Pacific de Mexico Railroad.  He was described as:  Color:  White.  Dark Complexion, 5 feet, 5 ½ inches, 137 pounds, black hair brown eyes. (“U.S. Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1795-1972.”  Provo, UT, USA:  Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007).

Vicente and his wife, Elisa were noted in the 1920 Federal census of Tucson Precinct, City of Tucson, Pima Co., AZ living at 27 17th Street.  He was 25 years old.  He immigrated in 1903 and petitioned to become a naturalized citizen in 1919.  He gave is occupation as boiler inspector for a steam railroad.

A 36 year old Vicente Alfaro is noted with his wife, Elisa, and their family in the 1930 Federal census of Tucson Election Precinct, City of Tucson, Pima Co., AZ.  The couple had been married for approximately 14 years.  He immigrated in 1902 and she immigrated in 1909.  Vicente gave his occupation as boilermaker foreman for a steam railway.

The couple had at least five children:
Armando Jose Alfaro
Vicente G. Alfaro, Jr.
Adalena Alfaro 5
Gilberto Alfaro 4
Maria Olga Alfaro 2

Vicente Alfaro and his wife, Elisa, were noted in the 1936 Tucson City Directory (p. 122).  He was listed as foreman for Southern-Pacific Co. and he was living at 919 S. 6th Avenue.

In the 1941 Tucson City Directory (p. 570), Vicente Alfaro is listed as owning his home at 919 S. 6th Avenue.

In the 1940s, Vicente was active in local politics.   He was noted in 1942 as treasurer of the Pima County Democratic party. (“Hodges Chosen County Head of Democrats.” Tucson Daily Citizen, September 26, 1942, p. 3).  In 1944, Vincente (sic) Alfaro was elected second assistant vice-president of the Arizona Democratic Central Committee ("Prescott Man is Elected Head of State Democrats."  Yuma Daily Sun, August 1, 1944, p. 6).

In 1947, Elisa G. Alfaro filed for divorce from Vicente (Tucson Daily Citizen, March 26, 1947, p. 10)

In 1950, Vicente Alfaro was appointed to the board of directors of the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind. ("Garvey Names 5 Appointees."  Tucson Daily Citizen, May 15, 1950.) 

Vicente Alfaro was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1954 from Tucson, Pima Co. representing Pima district 14 and he served from 1955 through 1956, the 22nd Legislature 1st and 2nd Regular Sessions.

According to his Arizona Legislative Biography sheet, he was a boilermaker and round house foreman for the Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.

Vicente Alfaro ran for the House again in 1958 (Cooper, Jim.  “Political Artillery Rolling.”  Tucson Daily Citizen, June 19, 1958, p. 6):

Vincente (sic) Alfaro, former Representative in Rep. Robles’ District 14, will run again.   Alfaro is a Democrat.  Opposing Alfaro for the nomination for Representative will be Emilio Carrillo, who sought a House seat in 1956 in District 2.  Carrillo lost to Rep. James N. Corbett Jr. in the primary.

Vicente Alfaro also ran in 1960 but was defeated in the primary by Joe D. Ybarra.

Tucson Daily Citizen, January 26, 1974, p. 13:

Honored by Demos
Vincente (sic) Alfaro was honored for 50 years of service to the Tucson Democratic party at a testimonial dinner at the Hilton Inn.  Alfaro, who served one term as state representative in the 1950s, also marked his 79th birthday at the function.  The former representative retired in 1965 after 54 years with Southern Pacific Railroad, but has remained active as a committeeman in the District 11 Democratic Club and as a voter registrar in Precinct 19.  Ballot Folklorico from Pima Community College and and mariachi groups were featured at the fiesta.

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth: WWI draft card; Naturalization: U.S. Naturalization Records; Petitioned for naturalization on 5/19/1919 and 8/31/1926   Middle initial from Tucson Daily Citizen April 2, 1951.  “Vicente G. Alfaro Sr.” was noted on a petition supporting the mayor; Death and Cemetery:  Find A Grave Memorial 65607960 created by: KayEllen Fleming, record added: Feb 13, 2011; see also:  En Aquel Entonces: Readings in Mexican-American History edited by Manuel G. Gonzales and Cynthia M. Gonzales (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, c2000), pp. 179-180