Submitted by Richard Senate
1860–all nine eligible voters cast their votes for Abraham Lincoln at the Valdez Adobe. (One had to own land to vote–that would have included Raymundo Olivas). San Buenaventura liked Old Abe. No votes for Bell or Douglas.
In The 1860 township of San Buenaventura were the following:
Total Population 377
Men 208
Women 169
California Born 309
Yankee Americans 3 (New York born)
Europeans 13 Spain, Italy, France & Prussia
Mexicans 17
South Americans 2 (Chile)
Indians 12 (Number could be off, perhaps greater)
Professions
Merchants 7
Stock raisers 13
Laborers 13 (Cowboys?)
Farmers 6
Saloon Keepers 2
Servants ? 9
Painters 1
Midwives 1
Cigar Maker 1
Hotel Keeper 1
Justice (Lawyer?) 1
Unlisted is a Priest, (the Mission had one assigned). and a stable keeper (Peter Constancia) and a blacksmith (Figueroa). Most likely two saloons, one hotel, seven stores selling a number of things, one tobacconist with One Lawyer.
People had to vote.
