Gilberto A. Garza: A Tejano Leader in Texas Democracy (1874–1947)
Published: January 1, 1995
Gilberto A. Garza, Democratic party leader and one of six Tejanos to appear in Texas Democracy, a centennial history of the Democratic party, was born at Los Saenz (now Roma-Los Saenz), Texas, in October 1874 to Santos Moreno and Florencio Garza Herrera. Garza attended the Los Saenz public schools for five years, then went to Rio Grande City High. He continued his education at Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Southwest Texas State University). He taught school in Starr County for five years. In 1927 he became a teller for the First State Bank and Trust Company. He became chairman of the Starr County Democratic party in 1932. In 1939 he was a vice president of the Rio Grande Independent School District. After leaving his job at the bank, Garza served as business manager of the school district. During World War II, he worked for a government office and helped issue war stamps. He married Celestina González and they had two children. He was a Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus, in which he served as third grand knight in 1941 and 1942. He was also an avid baseball player. He died on September 8, 1947.
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The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry.
Cynthia E. Orozco, “Garza, Gilberto A.,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed March 09, 2026, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/garza-gilberto-a.
Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
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FGAYW
- January 1, 1995
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