The Mexican Revolution was a prelude to many American stories. The violence and chaos of that time and place forced families like the Chavez family to leave their land and businesses behind and head north, looking for a better life.
The first stop for many immigrants was the American Southwest. From there the agricultural areas of Washington State drew many Mexican immigrants even further north. The first wave of Latinos in Yakima County came from the Northern Mountain states of Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. This is their story.
On August 8th, 1911 Reuben Chavez was born to Remedios and Juanita (Medina) Chavez in Globe, Arizona. At an early age Reuben moved with his family to Rocky Ford, Colorado where the family farmed until 1922. Reuben attended school in Rocky Ford through the 9th grade when he left school to help support the family.
At the end of WWl there was a sharp economic recession that was particularly hard on small businesses and family farms. Looking for better times, Reuben’s father decided to move his family to Powell, Wyoming in 1922. He bought land and began farming once again with his sons. The move proved to be a good decision. The Chavez family prospered. Reuben and his brothers became active in the community and well known as musicians. Reuben enjoyed music and belonged to many musical groups in the swing band era. He played the saxophone, clarinet, piano and guitar.
Reuben married Mercedes Macias on October 5th, 1929 in Worland, Wyoming. Reuben built the family home in Worland, but supporting his growing family required him to travel to distant jobs in construction, agriculture, and for the railroad. Throughout his long career Reuben worked on the Hanford project and all of the major dams built in the Pacific Northwest.
In order to spend more time with his family, Reuben attended night school to learn accounting and typing. In time, he was employed as an extension agent in Worland.
In 1950 Reuben moved his family to the Lower Valley, settling in Sunnyside in 1951, where family members still reside. All of the Chavez children graduated from Sunnyside High School. In 1999 Ruben and Mercedes celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in Sunnyside.
In 2005 Reuben Chavez passed away at age 94. He was survived by 6 sons and 4 daughters, 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mercedes and his son, Pete.
In his lifetime Reuben Chavez never became famous or made a fortune, but he certainly made a difference. He and his wife raised their children to be hard working, productive citizens. Here is the rest of this American story:
Six Chavez sons served in the armed forces. Their oldest son, Pete, suffered a serious head wound in Korea and was debilitated for the remainder of his life.
Manuel went into the Army, and then became a labor organizer in the garment industry in California.
Isaac began his working career at Hanford, did a hitch in the army, and then became a longshoreman in the Bay area. He purchased a house near the University of California in Berkley where many extended family members lived while attending the University. One family member estimated that “Uncle Ike” had put 17 to 20 family members through college.
David went into the Army, and then followed his brother Isaac to California and went into business. Eventually he returned to school for a degree in Urban Planning and was part of the planning commission that created the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system.
Juanita married and remained in Sunnyside. She became a pianist and a para-pro in the Sunnyside School District.
Edward served in the Coast Guard, worked as an air traffic controller, and filled a variety of roles in the insurance industry.
After she finished high school in Sunnyside, Irene joined Isaac in the Bay area where she attended college and became a registered nurse.
Reuben Jr. became a very successful real estate developer.
Helen married, raised a family, worked in retail and became a writer.
Daniel is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served as an Army Medic. After he got out of the Army He returned to Sunnyside to live and work.
Desi teaches communication skills at the college level in California.
