Portrait, José de la Luz Sáenz. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
Parents: Rosalio and Chrispina Saenz
Life: 1888-1953
Married: Maria C Muzquiz (1892-1916)
Children: Jose Saenz (1916–1916)
Married: Maria Petra Esparza (1890-1958)
Children: Maria de la Luz Saenz (1918-2000)
Enrique de la Luz Saenz (1920-2002)
Bio:
Professor Jose de la Luz Saenz, well known educator, civic leader, and author, was born in Realitos, Texas on May 17, 1888. He was one of eight children born to Rosalio and Chrispina Saenz. He graduated from Alice High School in May of 1908. In the year 1917 he married Maria Petra Esparza, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregorio Esparza of Pleasanton.
With the declaration of World War I, he reported for military duty at Fort Sam Houston on January 12, 1918.
He served as a private with R. I. O. Headquarters Company 360th Infantry of the 90th Division in France.
Private Saenz completed his tour of duty June 17, 1919.
Professor Saenz taught in Texas public schools for over 40 years. He attended San Marcos State Teachers College, Texas A&I and earn his bachelor and master degrees from Sul Ross in Alpine. He was also graduated from Durham Business School in San Antonio.
He was a great believer in the Boy Scouts of America. He organized many troops in the schools where he taught. He knew the scouting program was dedicated to the task of building wholesome minds, bodies, and souls of youths.
During his tour of duty in the service Mr. Saenz maintained a diary which he later had published into a book entitled “Mexicanos – Americanos en la Gran Guerra Mundial”. It was written in Spanish. His writings appeared in many leading newspapers and magazines in South Texas. His articles appeared in The Valley Evening Monitor, La Prensa, La Verdad, La Voz, Texas Outlook, and many others.
Professor Saenz was one of the principal founders of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). He placed great emphasis on civic pride in each citizen. The Honorable Judge J. T. Canales of Brownsville, the late Alonso S. Perales, attorney and Mr. Saenz worked courageously and zealously many years for the betterment of the Mexican-Americans in Texas.
He was a very active member in American Legion Post No. 37 in.
Note: Alice, Texas named a school after him. And his papers are housed at Benson Library on the University of Texas Campus.
Photograph, Sáenz with school children from Moore, Texas, ca. 1910. Photo courtesy of José de la Luz Sáenz Papers, Mexican American Library Project, Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas at Austin. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
Photograph, U.S. Army, José de la Luz Sáenz, 1918. Photograph courtesy of José de la Luz Sáenz Papers, Mexican American Library Project, Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas at Austin. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
Picture, Alonso S. Perales with José de la Luz Sáenz in 1952. Perales is standing on the left. Both men were instrumental leaders for the League of United Latin American Citizens. Image courtesy of the University of Houston. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
Photograph, grave of José de la Luz Sáenz at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery . Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
For more info:
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