The U.S. Census Bureau continually strives to ensure an accurate 

count of the people of the United States. For this reason, it has 

always embraced the hiring of a diverse workforce that is 

representative of the local communities. In the middle of the 19th

century, the United States expanded west into areas formerly 

governed by Spain and Mexico. Since many of the citizens and 

local officials only spoke Spanish, the Census Office quickly 

realized that it needed to employ workers fluent in the language. 

The establishment of a permanent Census Bureau in 1903 and 

increased immigration from Cuba and Central and South America 

expanded the need for Spanish-speaking employees both in the 

field and at headquarters.

Pedro Sanchez was born on February 22, 1831, in Valencia 

County, New Mexico. Pedro’s father, Cristobal, moved the family 

to Taos in 1837, and 

taught Pedro how to raise 

sheep. However, by 1847, Pedro had set out to make his 

way in life. Pedro worked at a variety of jobs and the 1860 

Census lists his profession as “merchant.” However, it is his

success in farming which enabled him to build one of the 

most impressive houses in Taos. Additionally, Pedro served 

in the New Mexico militia against the various Mexican and 

Indian uprisings that occurred in the years after the 

Mexican-American War and the Gadsden Purchase.

Pedro’s involvement with the militia marked his first entry 

into public service and helped propel him into prominence. With the outbreak of the American 

Civil War, Pedro joined the New Mexican militia units that remained loyal to the Union, and 

commanded a group known as the “Antelope Hunters.” Pedro soon had an opportunity to display

his gallantry and competence during the Battle of Valverde, which took place in February of 1862.

While the Confederates overran the left and 

center of the Union lines, Kit Carson’s New 

Mexican volunteers, which included Pedro 

Sanchez, dominated the right flank and were 

surprised to hear the call to retreat when their 

fellow soldiers fell back. For his actions during 

the Battle of Valverde, Pedro received a brevet 

promotion to major.

 

New Mexican Soldier, Politician, “Friend of the Poor”

Pedro Sanchez, photographed by Dana B. Chase, 

Courtesy Palace of the Governors Photo Archives 

(NMHM/DCA), 011042

The Las Vegas Daily Optic (East Las Vegas, NM) 25 June 1890

Pedro’s 1900 Census
Following his military service, Pedro entered the New Mexico 

legislature for the first time in 1862, when the people of Taos 

elected him to the territorial House of Representatives. This 

marked the beginning of Pedro’s service to the legislature 

that would continue intermittently for the next 40 years in 

both the house and council. In addition to his work with the 

legislature, Pedro served as a probate judge for multiple 

terms, starting in 1869, and as an Indian Agent from 1882 to 

1885, primarily to the Pueblo tribes. Pedro’s contemperories 

noted that he acted far differently from the average Indian 

Agent and used his position to help people rather than exploit 

them. Census Bureau officials included one of Pedro’s 1883 

reports on the Pubelo people of New Mexico in the 1890 

Census special report on Pueblo tribes in Arizona and New

Mexico.

In 1890, Pedro continued his long career of public service by serving as the census supervisor for 

the territory of New Mexico. Pedro, as the sole supervisor for New Mexico, had his work cut out 

for him. As part of his responsibilites, he divided the territory into enumeration districts and hired 

and trained enumerators. Once he received schedules from census officials, Pedro supervised the 

distribution and retrieval of those important documents 

between his office, enumerators, and Washington, DC. The 

1890 Census counted many fields in addition to population—

agriculture, mining, manufacturing, health, education, and 

others for which Pedro had responsbility. The 11th Census of 

the United States also included a special section for veterans of 

the Civil War, and became the first census to be tabulated 

electronically by Herman Hollerith’s counting machine. 

Following the 1890 Census Pedro continued managing his farm 

and participating in territorial politics. When it became time 

for the 1900 Census, Pedro once again received the assignment 

as sole supervisor of the census for the territory of New 

Mexico. Following his experiences with the previous census, 

Pedro again divided New Mexico into enumeration districts and 

assigned enumerators. Pedro used the local newspapers to 

help spread messages about the census—like how one should be enumerated if they were absent 

from their residence for an extended period. 

Despite Pedro’s experience, some difficulties surfaced—one enumerator quit mid-rounds and 

Pedro had to assign five people on short notice in order to complete

the enumeration on time. Additionally, Pedro conducted part of his 

duties from his home in Taos after receiving injuries in a railroad 

accident, which kept him away from the center of the action in 

Santa Fe. And finally, Pedro’s choice of Mariano Sena as his 

assistant clerk ended poorly—in 1903, a jury convicted Mariano of 

fraud and embezzlement in relation to his duties with the census.

After completing the 1900 Census, Pedro returned to living with his 

adopted daughter Carlota. Pedro received the name “Friend of the 

Poor” because he and his first wife, Refugio Martinez, adopted and 

raised between 20 and 25 orphaned children—many of whom went 

on to become prominent members of the community. After his first 

wife’s death in 1895, Pedro married Refugio Rodriguez in 1903.

Pedro spent most of his time at his home in Taos, where he passed 

away on May 19, 1905. He is buried near his former commander, Kit Carson. The Census Bureau is 

thankful for Pedro’s contributions, and for the contributions of all the members of our diverse 

workforce throughout the years.

The Albuquerque Citizen (Albuquerque, NM) 27 Sep 1899

The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, NM)

30 January 1899

Photograph from The Leading Facts of New 

Mexican History: Volume 2, (1912), By Ralph 

Emerson Twitchell

HB-17-0030