La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste

 

La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste

The History of the Basques in the West

La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste is a valuable resource for those researching Basques in the American West at the turn of the 20th century. The book’s pages are filled with the histories and biographies of Basque communities and families in Boise, Idaho; Mountain Home, Idaho; Shoshone, Idaho; Jordan Valley, Oregon; Elko, Nevada; Winnemucca, Nevada; and McDermitt, Nevada.

La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste was published in 1917 by the newspaper group, Las Novedadas, Inc. of New York, and in 1918, by Mountain States Publishing Company of Boise, Idaho. The book’s author, Samuel “Sol” Silen, lived in Boise, Idaho, for a part of his life working as a stockman in the sheep industry, a manager of a Nampa (Idaho) oil company, and as a real estate auctioneer.

The primary language of the original text for La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste is Spanish, which has been translated into English by Aintzane Gonzalez, intern to the Basque Museum & Cultural Center through the Basque Global Training Program (2018). Below are links to the Spanish version of this book followed by the English translation.

La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste – Spanish

To see the full screen version of the book, click the expansion icon . To search within the text, click the expansion icon and then click the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner of the book.

 

The History of the Basques in the West – English

To see the full screen version of the book, click the expansion icon . To search within the text, click the expansion icon and then click the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner of the book.

Individuals & Families

Below is a list of all the individuals and families listed in La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste.

BOISE, IDAHO

Aguirre, Francisco – wife, Gabina Goitia. Children – Bonifacia and Florentina

Aldecoa, Domingo – wife, Maria Pagoaga. Children – Basilio, Maurina, and Benedicta

Aldecoa, Marcelino – wife, Anastacia Arriandiaga

Aldecocea, Castor – wife, Juana Beascoa. Children – Cecilia, Juan, Castor, and Antonio

Anacabe, John B. – wife’s name unknown, 1 son – John B. Anacabe

Anchustegui, Gregorio – wife, Fermina Iturri – 1 daughter, Maria Luisa

Anchustegui, Jacinto – wife, Estefania Churruca – 1 daughter, Milagrosa

Archabal, Juan – wife, Benedicta (sister of Domingo/Marcelino) – Children – Casilda, Matilde, Jane, John, Fidel, and Dan

Aramburu, Narciso (organist at St. John’s Cathedral)

Arregui, Bernardo (Padre)

Arregui, Mateo – wife, Adriana Zelaya. Children – Juan, Carmen, and Rosa

Arritola, Pedro – wife, Maria Uberuaga (niece of Antonio/Gustavo Azcuenaga)

Azpiri, Francisco (brother of Pia Navarro, nephew of Bernardo Arregui)

Azcuenaga, Antonio – wife, Consuelo Uberuaga. Children– Daniel, Adrian, Fernando, and Ines

Barruetabena, Felipe – wife, Francisca Salabarieta

Beristain, Ventura – wife, Rita Bengoechea

Bermensolo, Bonifacio – wife, Jeronima Gavica

Bermensolo, Luis – wife, Venancia Gabica.  Children – Jesus and Juan

Diaz, Emilio – wife, Beatriz Echeverria

Echevarria, Elias – wife, Joaquina Badiola. Children – Julio, Angeles, and Nieves

Echevarria, Juan – wife, Alejandra Sillonis. Children – Pedro, Juanita, Segunda, and Maria

Echevarria, Justo – wife, Raimunda Aldamiz. Children – Lucia and Beatriz

Echevarria, Pedro – wife, Maria Yrusta. Children – Angel, Victoria, and Luis

Gabica, Elias – wife, Valentina Uberuaga (sister of Pedro Arritola & niece of Antonio & Agustin Azcuenaga). Children – Soledad, Ricardo, and Luisa

Gabica, Miguel – wife, Ana (?). Four sons – Jose, Juan, Jesus and Luis

Garmendia, Bonifacio – wife, Julia Echevarria. 1 son, Jose

Gaviola, Manuel – wife, Dolores Azpiri. Children – Flora, Maria, Hilaria, and Miguel

Jayo, Anastasio – wife, Anunciacion Amias.  2 daughters – Anastacia and Remedios

Letemendi, Antonio – wife, Leandra Ondarza. Children – Francisca, Jose, Valentina, Bonifacio, Maria, Dionisio, and Victoria

Mendiola, Gervasio – wife, Ana Ostolasa Arriandiaga

Mendiola, Jose – wife, Juana Aldecoa. Children – Domingo, Juan, Luis, Jose (Juana died and he later married Maria Goicoechea)

Navarro, Jose – wife, Pia Azpiri

Ocamica, Antonio – wife, Anastasia Osa – 1 daughter, Gloria

Odiaga, Domingo – wife, Paula Fresnedo – Children: Paula, Maria, Jose, Avelina, and Pia

Ondarza, Jose – wife, Escolastica Arriandiaga – Aurora, Liba, Ricardo

Ostolasa, Constantino – single

Sabala, Francisco – wife, Florentina Irazabal

Solosabal, Joaquin – wife, Pilar Silloaga. 1 son, Juan

Uberuaga, Jose – wife, Felipa Juarrochena. Children – Blanca, Maria, Jose, and Rosita

Uranga, Antonio – wife, Maria Zabala

Uranga, Juan – wife, Bonifacia Llona. Children – Ricardo, Antonio, Maria Luisa, and Maria del Carmen

Urruzuno, Lazaro – wife Ines Echevarry. Children – Joe, Mari, and Aurora

Yraola, Petra – (Father Bernardo Arregui’s niece) taught Spanish, organist St. Johns

Yriondo, Ramon – wife, Segunda Maruri. Children – Benedicta and Francisca

Yzaguirre, Bruno – wife, Sabina Arrien

 

JORDAN VALLEY, OREGON

Acarregui, Juan – wife, Paula Anchustegui. Children – Angel, Antonio, and Floyd

Achabal, Deogracias

Acordagoitia, Simon – wife, Mercedes Eiguren – 2 sons, 1 daughter

Aramberri, Jose

Arritola, Dionisio

Arritola, Rufino – wife, Maria Elordi. 1 son – Luis

Azcuenaga, Agustin – wife, Maria Agustina Urquiza. Children – Antonio J., Luis A., Juan C., Alicia, and Ethel

Bengoechea, Ventura – wife, Juanita Goitiandia. Children – Pedro, Juanita, Jose, Maximo, and Francisco

Bermiosolo, Antonio – wife, Petra Yturrieta

Berris, Prudencio – wife, Juana Arrulu. – 4 children

Bilbao, Juan – wife, Santa Guisazola. Children – Rosa, Enrique, and Isabel

Chertudi, Ignacio – wife, Gabriela Yturri

Corta, Justo – wife, Maria Ocamica, 1 son, 1 daughter

Eiguren, Bonifacio – wife, Luisa Bermensolo. 1 son – Pedro

Eiguren, Domingo – wife, Maria Eiguren. Children – Pilar, Luis, and Domingo  (expecting Jose)

Eiguren, Felix – (Jose Navarro is his uncle)

Eiguren, Jose B. – wife, Jacoba Navarro. Children – Maria, Pascual, Ines, Felix, Micaela, Antonio, Pablo, Matias, Francisco, Filomena, Julian, and Luis

Eiguren, Jose – wife, Carmen Uberuaga – 5 children

Eiguren, Pascual – wife, Catalina Elordi. 1 son – Ricardo

Elordi, Damaso – wife, Gregoria Cabot. Children – Gabriel, Carmen, Jose, Damaso, and Ana

Icaran, Simon

Lequerica, Timoteo – wife, Josefa Zabalbeascoa. Children – John, Concepcion, Gerardo, and Rufino

Madariaga, Eulogio – wife, Trinidad Arriola. Children – Jose Rosario, Sabino, Aurora, and Rosario

Marquina, Sotero – wife, Eustaquia Yturri. Daughter – Maria del Carmen

Navarro, Manuel – (his uncle is Jose Navarro)

Telleria, Blas – wife, Ines Eiguren – Jose Maria

Uberuaga, Donato – wife, Engracia Yraolabeitia

Urlezaga, Juan – wife, Gloria Bermensolo. Children – Juan, Eloisa, and Carmen

Urquiaga, Lazaro – wife, Josefa Aldecoa. Children – Cristina, Rufina, Domingo, and Elena

Yturraspe, Luis – wife, Natalia Acarregui. Children – Jesus, Jose, Maria

Yturri, Domingo – wife, Maria Elorriaga. Children – Juanita, Lola, Luis, and Antonio

Zabala, Jose – wife, Maria Madarildiata – 3 sons, 2 daughters

 

MOUNTAIN HOME, IDAHO

Alzola, Faustino – wife, Eusebia Elguezabal

Archaval (Achabal), Jose Francisco

Arrechevaleta, Nemesio – wife, Cornelia Cobeaga

Arriero, Alejo – wife’s name unknown

Arrieta Ycaran, Miguel – wife, Margarita Bastida Uriarte

Beitia, Manuel – wife, Fernanda Jai – one son, one daughter

Bengoechea, Jose – wife, Margarita Nachiondo – 2 children

Cendacorta, Higinio – wife, Marta Corta – Jose, Benedicta

Enchusti, Francisco

Gandiaga, Pedro – wife, Julia Nachiondo

Guisasola, Vicente – wife, Maria Camporredondo

Laucirica, Jose – 2 sons, 2 daughters

Lugea, Juan – single

Mendiola, Juan – wife – Cecilia Alzola

Onaindia, Francisco – wife, Benita Goitiandia. 3 children

Pagoaga, Julian – wife, Maria Andurza. 3 sons, 2 daughters

Sarduy, Juan Ciriaco – wife’s name unknown – 2 sons, 2 daughters

Telleria, Damian

Totorica, Jose – wife, Leandra Erquiaga

 

ELKO, NEVADA

Achabal, Balbino – wife, Hermenegilda Urizar. Children – Pio and Avelina

Altube, Bernardo– wife’s name unknown, had six children including Julio J. Altuve

Altube, Pedro

Amestoy, Martin

Arena, L. P.- wife, Cassi Oroz

Arregui, Miguel – wife, Magdalena Chandarena.  4 sons, 2 daughters

Calzacorta, Domingo – wife, Anita Marisquirena. 1 daughter, Dolores.

Corta, Florencio – single

Corta, Pedro – wife, Miss Cortari.  Children -Pedro, Margarita, Gabino, and Jose

Fourreuill, Andreu- wife, Maria Angela (?) – 1 child

Goicoechea, Pedro – wife, Guadalupe Mendive.  Children – Julio and Benedicto

Inchausti, Andres – wife, Lorenza Urizar. Children – Antonio and Andres

Itcaina, Pedro – wife, Agustina Sosaya

Jauregui, Pedro – wife, Matilde Eizaguirre. 1 daughter, Teresa

Jauristi, Vicente- wife, Mary Waters.  Children – Angelina and Anita

Lostra, Miguel – wife, Francisca Avina

Madarieta, Celso – wife, Agustina Marisquerena

Madarieta, Juan

Odiaga, Francisco – wife, Concepcion Badarona. Children –  Concepcion, Ana, and Margarita

Olabarria, Pedro – wife, Simona Bastida.  Children – Laura and Alberto

Orbe, Pedro – wife, Tomasa Arrascada.  Children – Dominica, Domingo, Libia, Alberto, & Ana

Oscoz, Manuel

Plaza, Felix – wife, Fernanda Eguibar.  Children – Fernanda and Felicia

Quintana, Juan – wife, Felipa Ibanez.  Children – Anita and Juan

Recatume, Domingo – single

Sabala, Domingo – Gregoria Garteis.  Children – Francisco, Jose, Maria, Anastasia, and Pedro

Saval, Joe – single

Saval, John – wife, Carmen Aboites

 

WINNEMUCCA, NEVADA

Aramburu, Hermenegildo – wife, Jacoba Aberasturi.  2 children, Esperanza and Juan Cruz

Arrascada, Ignacio – wife, Facunda Sabala.  1 son, Ignacio

Gastonada, Jose – wife, Antonia Alzala. Children–Jose, Martin, Aquilina, Segundo, Eugenio

Legarza, J.M.– wife, Florencia Eriaga. Children – M.R., M.C., Jose, Nieves, Salvador, Adolfo, Francisco, Ana Eva

Mendive, Esteban S.- wife, Petra Morato. Children – Maria Carmen, Leona, Julia, Pedro Rufino

Oyarbide, Ramon – wife, Carmen Acorda. 2 daughters- Margarita and Juanita

Yrulegui, Benigno

 

RENO, NEVADA

Aldaz, J.P.

Duque, Bertrad – wife, Catherine Miramon.  2 daughters – Renee and Adelina

Etchebarren, Jean – wife, Demetria Arburua.  2 sons – Juan and Pedro

Jauregui, Mateo – wife, Ena Mouspe – 2 sons and 2 daughters

Saralegui, Antonio – wife, Carmen Erreart. Children – Lorenzo, Pedro, Pablo, and  Emilia

 

MC DERMITT, NEVADA

Aboitiz, Angel – wife, Candida Zabaljauregui

Achabal, Anacleto

Achabal, Segundo

Bengoa, Domingo – wife, Francisca Cobeaga. 3 daughters – Josefina, Emilia, and Dominga

Bengoa, Francisco – wife, Margarita Achabal. Children – Anacleto, Francisco, and Margarita

Cobeaga, Miguel

Gabica, Santiago – wife, Martina Achabal.  Children – Ferman and Francisco

Jaca, Juan – wife, Ramona Urrutia.  Children – Felix, Joaquin, and Maria

Jaca, Silvestre – wife, Florentina Asurmendi.  Children – Juan, Jose, Santy, and Bendita

About the Author

Samuel “Sol” Silen (1879-1944)

While not a great deal is known about Sol Silen or the motivation behind writing La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste, some information has been gathered through primary and secondary sources such as census records and newspaper articles.

Samuel “Sol” Silen, the son of Hyman Silen and Mollie August, was born on August 8, 1879. Census records differ in the birth place of Sol. The 1900 Cleveland census states he was born in Russia, following censuses (1910-1940) state he was born in either Pennsylvania or Ohio. His parents too have various birth locations recorded: Russia (1900 census), Germany (1910, 1920 censuses), and Poland (1930 census).

On March 5, 1899, Sol married Sadie Haims. The Ohio Cuyahoga Country Jewish marriage extracts states Sol was a cigar maker and that both he and Sadie were born in Russia. Together, Sol and Sadie had five children:

  • Bertrand Silen (1901-1958)
  • Melvin Silen (1902-1990)
  • Almer Silen (1905-1981)
  • Gorman Silen (1911-1994)
  • France Elaine (Silen) Rosenberg (1921-1990)

Both city directories and census records have Sol and his family living and working in California by 1910. Sol is listed as a salesman in San Francisco in 1909 and living in Mendocino in 1910. By 1911, Sol and his family begin to be mentioned in the The Idaho Daily Statesman (now called The Idaho Statesman), a newspaper printed in Boise, Idaho, as well as other regional papers. In 1911, Sol’s name appears on several auction and real estate advertisements as “S. Silen, Real Estate Auctioneer” (The Idaho Daily Statesman 1911:14 May, pg 13; The Idaho Daily Statesman 1911:22 May, pg 10; Elmore County Republican 1911:20 May, pg 5). Sol’s 1918 draft registration record lists him as a self-employed “sheepman,” and the 1920 Boise census states Sol is a “stockman” in the sheep industry, both may be his link to the Basque community in the American West. In December of 1920, The Idaho Daily Statesman briefly mentions Sol as a manager for a “local gas-oil concern” and in January 1922, states that Sol resigned as the manager of the Idaho Oil & Gas Company after a companywide reorganization (The Idaho Daily Statesman 1920:4 Dec, pg 7; The Idaho Daily Statesman 1922:22 Jan, pg 12).

Sol and his family are listed in the Oakland, California, 1930 census. Sometime after moving to California, Sol and Sadie divorced. Sol remarried Eunice Cunningham in Everett, Washington, on October 23, 1938. According to his World War II draft registration card, Sol was living in Seattle, Washington, and working as a salesman for “La Mirada Olive Co,” a company based out of San Francisco, California, by 1942. Sol was traveling from California to his home in Seattle, when he died on August 26, 1944. His death certificate states “cerebral hemorrhage” as his cause of death. Sol is buried in the Bikur Cholim Cemetery in Seattle.

Images: “Sr. Sol Silen” taken from La Historia de los Vascongados en el Oeste, page 1. “Sol and Sadie Silen” image from BMCC collections (2007.008.001), donated by Sandra and William Bennett.