Santa Barbara County Biographies

J. M. ROCHIN

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


J. M. ROCHIN, of Los Alamos, was born March 19, 1822, in the State of Sonora, Mexico, 
and at the age of fifteen years moved to Guadalupe y Calvo, State of Chihuahua, 
Mexico, which is a nice, new, rich mining town, and there he followed the trade 
of goldsmith, separating gold from silver and silver from lead, � a trade he learned from 
one of his uncles, who was one of the best mechanics in the country. He also engaged 
in buying gold and silver for a merchant there, for a large commission, as he had no 
opposition, making sometimes as much as $200 to $250 a week; but he was young and 
inexperienced, and the money went out some way about as fast as it came in. In time, of 
course, opposition in his business sprang up, and he could not make more than any one 
else. 

In December, 1849, when the California gold fever was at the highest and business in 
his place dull, he came to California, landing at San Francisco. He left home December 
2, went to Mazatlan on muleback, arriving there on the 9th, and then found that all the 
berths on steamers were taken for two to three months ahead. He had therefore to 
wait for the first sailing vessel. Soon a little German schooner came along, and he and 
fifty other Mexicans and fourteen Americans embarked upon it, being all that it could 
carry; but it was a fleet vessel. lie and an American gentleman and his family and six 
other persons took all the berths that the vessel had. They arrived at San Francisco 
January 1, 1850, making a quicker trip than had ever before been made from that point 
by a sailing vessel. He went direct to the mines, and for three years was engaged all 
through the mining section, in every occupation which the district afforded, having his 
" ups and downs," as has been the experience of all miners. In 1853 he went to Los 
Angeles, where he passed one year. In 1854 he came to Santa Barbara, where he began 
what has since proven a very extensive stock experience. He began by renting land and 
keeping native stock of cattle, and in 1875 started the breeding of fine horses. He com- 
menced his herd by purchasing forty picked mares from the stock of Dr. Richard Den and 
thirty from Mr. Ruiz, of Santa "Barbara County; in 1873 was said to have owned more 
horses than any other � man in the county. In 1873 he sold 200 choice mares to Sepul- 
veda, of Los Angeles. In 1875 he traded 200 mares far the stallion " Newry," who was a 
full brother to Norfolk, and fleet runner, and bred by Mr. Alexander, of Kentucky. Mr. 
Rochin lost " Newry " in 1883, through the burning of one of his stables. He now keeps 
three stallions, � Antioch, Don Ramon and Captain Martinez, - and breeds for both  
running and trotting, having forty choice mares. Since 1876 Mr. Rochin has given special 
attention to the breeding of fine cattle, and his herd averages about 1,500 head. 

Mr. Rochin was married at Los Angeles, in 1853, to Miss Lorenza Ordaz, a native of 
California. She died January 1, 1889, leaving one daughter. Mr. Rochin bought a 
ranch of 1,250 acres near Lompoc, in April, 1877, where he kept his horses, but sold 
again in 1880, feeling that it was cheaper to rent than to purchase. He has since been a 
large renter, also owning considerable city property in Santa Barbara and Los Alamos. 
He has always had the reputation of dealing conscientiously, and of breeding the best that 
could be obtained. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.