The Lamar register., 1891-10-17

Republican candidate for district at
torney, for the 3rd judicial district,
comprising Las Animas, Huerfano,
Prowers, Bent, Baca and Kiowa, was
born On Red river, Taos county, New
Mexico, on the 9th day of April, 1S47,
of Spanish parentage. At the age of
seven years his parents put him into
school, where he showed such unusual
ability and energy that at the age of ten
years he could read and write as we'll as
his teacher, being fully as adept in his
other studies.
In 1860 young Valdes came to Costilla
county with his parents and engaged in
stock raising for the succeeding seven
years. In 1867 they came to Huerfano
county. In the fall of 1868, though a
comparative stranger and young in years,
he was nominated and elected county
assessor, making the race against A. T.
Seabring, one of the strongest men in
the county. He gave such excellent sat
isfaction that he was nominated and
elected second time, without opposi-
ton. At the expiration of his second
term his friends urged him to allow his
name to be used again but he declined
the honor and retired to private life ex
cepting as he was called upon to serve
his people in some minor office. In cast
ing about them for candidate for legis-
lative honors the republicans took him
up again in 1873 and he was elected to-
represent his county in the legislature Of
1874. He made what is very uncommon
in that office, clean, pure record, highly
satisfactory to his constituents. He
taught school in II, 72, IA and rs, and
was appointed census enumerator for the
U. S. in 80, and the State in 'S5. He COM
menced to read law in 1870 under Judge
A. A. Bradford, OF Pueblo, also having
for a companion the famous Judge VIM.
Blackwood. He began practicing in the
lower courts with eminent success from
the first. He did not apply for admission
to tho bar until June, 1880, though he
might have done 80 many years earlier
He passed with high honors and was reg
ularly admitted. In 1876, owing to ILL
health in his family, he moved to Las
Animas county where he remained until
1880. In 1881 he was elected county
judge, and in 1885 he was elected county
clerk and recorder, and while holding
that office was elected mayor Of this city.
and recorder. Since retiring from that
office he has devoted his entire time to
the study and practice .: MS entire time
to the study and practice OF his chosen
profession-the law. The Judge, as he
is familiarly known to nearly every per-
son in the west half Of the judicial dis
trict, has filled, with honor and credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constiuen-
cy, every office to which he has been
elected. He has been prominently before
the people for twenty years and it wasonly
at the earnest solicitation of his many
friends, and more particularly the mem-
bers of the bar, that he consented to al
low his name to so before the convention
and it was with many thanks and deep
est gratitude to the convention that they
learned OF his nomination.
He has a comfortable home in south
Walsenburg, and many are the fortunate
ones who receive hearty welcome at his
family board and fireside. He is q mas
ter OF the Spanish as well as the English
language, and has many times been in
terpreter in the various courts. ItJudge
]. A. ]. Valdes is elected this fall, we
will have an able and conscientious law
yer in the office of district attorney
WdEsenburq World