California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


DOMINGO GASTAMBIDE has proven himself one of the successful and enterprising 
pioneers of Merced county, in whose veins flows the blood of the Latin races. On the paternal 
side he is of Spanish ancestry. His birth occurred in France in 1843, and his early training 
was gained on a small farm near Sare. His father, Baptiste Gastambide, moved across the 
border upon starting out upon his independent life, and there married Maria Elisalda, a native 
of France, who bore him several children, the oldest of whom is Domingo. 

The first event out of the ordinary in the life of Domingo Gastambide was his immigration to 
America in 1862. Coming at once to California he engaged in the butcher business in the mines 
at Almaden. Prices were high and business was good, and a year later he removed to Monterey 
county and began herding sheep. Two years later he began a sheep business of his own in 
Monterey county, and at the end of eighteen months came to the west side of Merced county 
and engaged in the sheep business in the foothills, since which time his name has been identi- 
fied with sheep raising, and he has been one of the most extensive and successful in this line in 
the county. In 1877 he entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, added to the tract 
from time to time, and now has fourteen hundred acres in his home ranch five miles from Los 
Banos. Here he established a camp in the early days. Each year has witnessed improvements on 
his place, which is devoted entirely to sheep and grain raising. Besides, he owns twenty-two hundred 
acres in the foothills, on Ortigalito creek, and at times has three to four thousand sheep. Years of 
practical experience have made him one of the best posted and most scientific farmers and sheep 
raisers in this part of the state, and his advice and counsel regarding these important resources 
invariably receive the attention due his sound judgment and self-earned success. 

The Gastambide home is commodious, well furnished throughout, and with due regard for 
the comfort and convenience of the happy family under its roof. In San Francisco Mr. Gastam- 
bide married Maria Etchevery, who was born in France, and by this marriage four children have 
been born : Pedro, Maria, Annie and Bertha. Mr. Gastambide ranges his sympathies on the 
side of Republicanism, and votes that ticket with care and discretion. He is a member of and 
generous contributor to the Catholic Church at Volta.