Antonio Maldonado
Antonio and Cleotilde Maldonado
Glendale - Maricopa County
Inducted in 2016
Antonio was a man of diverse talents and interests. A skilled blacksmith, he could mend anything from buggies to farm equipment. His musical abilities were also well-known, and he actively participated in Hispanic traditions in the community. Antonio's versatility and broad appeal earned him love and respect from all.
Antonio's journey to Arizona from Sonora, Mexico, in the late 1890s was more than just a physical relocation. It was a courageous escape from a fate he did not choose, an arranged marriage imposed by his family.
Although Antonio did not farm or ranch, he became integral to the agricultural community. His blacksmith shop served the Glendale Community for many years. Antonio, or Anton as the Russian Farmers called him, set up his blacksmith shop in Glendale in 1903. He shooed horses and maintained the farmers' wagons, buggies, and equipment. Everyone, especially the Russian community, highly esteemed him.
Antonio's heart was not accessible for long. In the United States, he met Cleotide Jerez of Tucson, and they married in 1906 in Phoenix. In those days, prejudice was significant. Antonio and Cleotilde were not allowed to marry on the main altar at St Mary's in Phoenix because they were Mexican. The ceremony was held in the chapel in the basement. This changed when Immaculate Heart Church was built to serve the Hispanic community. Despite these challenges, Antonio's love for Cleotilde is unwavering, and their marriage is a testament to their passion and resilience, a story that resonates with many who have faced similar struggles.
According to his granddaughters Flora Dean and Aurora Gamboa, Cleotilde was Antonio's partner in crime. While he worked in the blacksmith shop, she took in borders, washed and ironed, and helped in other ways. Her support was instrumental in Antonio's success and the community's respect for him.
Antonio was a determined man. He had a house near the ice plant on Grand Avenue and 57th Avenue. When he decided to move from there, he picked up the house and took it. According to Flora, he moved the house over the tracks with horses in front. Aurora added, "He'd take out a log, put it in the back, and then it would roll." The whole thing was moved with borrowed horses and plenty of sweat labor from friends in the farming community.
Antonio was a music lover. He brought the Hispanic mananitas customs with him from Mexico. According to Flora, he played the bass and the violin. He would find a friend who played guitar and a friend who had an old trumpet somewhere. They would go to a house together at 5:00 am because that's what mananitas means: in the morning. They would play the traditional song Las Mananitas, which means this is the dawn of your saint day. They would play the music and sing. People would open the windows and invite you in, including the neighbors. They knew it was your day; that person usually had menudo and breakfast. The neighborhood would be at your home at 5:00 am to celebrate your birthday. His love for music and its joy to the community is a connection we can all relate to.
A community-minded man, Antonio used his talents to make casket molds in horse troughs during the influenza outbreak. Many children died during that period, and he would have the little caskets lined in satin blue for boys and pink for girls. In happier times, he built buggies, fringe and all. His selfless acts during the influenza outbreak, providing comfort to grieving families, are a testament to his contribution to the community.
On weekends, Antonio used his musical talents as he and his friends traveled around the countryside performing at weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions, singing and playing his bass or violin.
Antonio was only sometimes paid in cash, but he and his family never went hungry. His payments for service rendered were often kind, with the Growers and Farmers paying him for fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat.
Antonio Maldonado was loved by those who knew him. He was right when he thought it was a better life and a better life awaited him in America.
