Cayetano Juarez

Don Cayetano Juárez (1809 – 1883) was a Californio ranchero and soldier, who played a prominent role in the 19th century North Bay, particularly in Napa County. The home he built, the Cayetano Juárez Adobe, is the oldest building in the city of Napa.

Early life Juárez was born a Spanish subject at the Presidio of Monterey, California, on February 24, 1809. Mexico, including California, became independent from Spain in 1821.

Juárez enlisted in the Mexican Army on April 1, 1827, at age 18, and on August 14 of that year, he was dispatched to assist with control of the Indians in the Sonoma and Napa areas, the very northern frontier of Mexican control of California.

On February 19, 1829, Indians attacked Mission San Rafael Arcángel in what is now Marin County, California, forcing the priest to go into hiding in the marshes along San Francisco Bay. Juárez led a squad of soldiers who pursued the Indians to a ranchería near present-day Sebastopol, California. There, he suffered a minor arrow wound. His multi-layered buckskin coat absorbed much of the impact of the arrowhead and protected him from a more serious injury. Juárez and his wife were well known for hosting rodeos and fiestas.

Bear Flag Revolt

During the brief Bear Flag Revolt against Mexican rule over California, which began in Sonoma on June 14, 1846, he acted as an intermediary between local Mexican government officials and the mostly American rebels. Mariano Vallejo had been taken hostage by the rebels and was eventually held at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. Juárez tried to obtain his release and took steps to ensure Vallejo's safety. When two American prisoners of the Mexican forces were threatened with execution, Juárez traveled to Rancho Cotate and intervened to prevent the killings. Juarez died on December 16, 1883, and is buried alongside his wife at Tulocay Cemetery.

Personal life Juárez married Maria de Jesus Higuerra (born San Francisco, December 4, 1815) on February 14, 1835. They had 11 children, seven of whom lived to adulthood.