José Antonio Castro (b. Monterey, 1808 – d. February 1860) was acting governor of Alta California in 1835-1836, and Commandante General of the Mexican army in Alta California at the time of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt in and the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848.
José Antonio Castro was the son of Jose Tiburcio Castro, a soldier, member of the diputacion (legislature), administrator of secularized Mission San Juan Bautista, and grantee of Rancho Sa...
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José Antonio Castro (b. Monterey, 1808 – d. February 1860) was acting governor of Alta California in 1835-1836, and Commandante General of the Mexican army in Alta California at the time of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt in and the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848.
José Antonio Castro was the son of Jose Tiburcio Castro, a soldier, member of the diputacion (legislature), administrator of secularized Mission San Juan Bautista, and grantee of Rancho Sausal. Jose Castro's first public office was as secretary to the Monterey ayuntamiento (town council).
In 1830, Castro was arrested for his opposition to the Mexican governor of Alta California. By 1835 he was the First Member (Vocal Primero) of the legislature and acting governor. Along with Juan Bautista Alvarado, he was a vocal opponent of Mexican governors and sought a semi-independent status for Alta California. He was a chief participant in the overthrow of Governor Nicolás Gutiérrez in 1836, becoming Commandante General and Governor, as...
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