- Echanis, Lorenzo
He was born in Mutriku, Gipuzkoa in 1896, house "Mendi Beltzu". His parents, Jose Mari and Benita Echanis were farmers. All of their four sons and two daughters immigrated to the United States, Lorenzo being the youngest to leave home (he was seventeen years old). Lorenzo worked in a rifle factory in Eibar, Bizkaia before emigrating. Of the one hundred and fifty dollars needed for his trip, Lorenzo had saved a third and his aunt in Madrid loaned him the remainder. After arranging for passports in Gernika, Bizkaia, reserving train travel to Hendaia, Lapurdi and later to Le Havre, France and buying an eleven dollar suit for traveling, Lorenzo was left with thirty dollars in his pocket. He sailed from Le Havre, France on board the vessel "La Touraine" and arrived in New York (Ellis Island) on March 27, 1914; his final destination was Boise, ID. Then he went on to the Crowley Crane Oregon and Steens Mountains area of south eastern Oregon to herd sheep with his three older brothers (Jos?, Jack, and Benito). He continued to herd sheep in this area until 1922, year in which he moved to southern California with his wife, Felicia Madariaga from Gernika, Bizkaia (born April 23, 1900; passed away in Fontana, CA February 28, 1972). They got married in Crane, Oregon in 1922 at the Catholic Church. Lorenzo found long term employment as foreman at the Bastanchury Ranch (one of the largest citrus producers in California). After he retired, Lorenzo became part owner of a bar in Brea, California. Lorenzo and his wife, Felicia, divorced and Felicia eventually married Victor Garcia with whom she lived in Fontana, California. Lorenzo passed away December 2, 1993 in Brea, CA at the age of ninety-seven. Lorenzo and Felicia had three children: Lorenzo Jr., Catherine, and John. Lorenzo Jr. was born January 9, 1923 and passed away November 8, 1993; he worked as a truck driver salesman and he married Martina Yraguen who was of Basque descent. Catherine Noutary was born July 29, 1925 and passed away January 27, 2001; she was a grocery store clerk and she married Joseph Noutary of Basque descent. John was born October 20, 1927 and passed away February 1, 2000; he did clerical work and he never married.
|
1896 - 1993 (97 years)
[1]