Luis Terrazas

Don Luis Terrazas (1829-1923), founder of the Creel-Terrazas Family. Elected Governor of Chihuahua in 1860; host, political ally and confidant of President Benito Juárez during the French Intervention. His ranches once totaled more than 7 million acres (28,000 km²).

There are two anecdotal tales addressing his wealth. When approached by American meat packer Swift and asked if he could provide a hundred thousand head of cattle he replied in what color? When asked once at a social function if he were from Chihuahua, he was reported to have replied, "No soy de Chihuahua; Chihuahua es mío"("I'm not from Chihuahua; Chihuahua is mine"). He acquired these properties in a number of ways. One significant advantage was that as Governor of the state he was able to move armed forces into and out of portions of the state and buy where prices reduced due to instability.

In 1902 he sold a ranch near Delicias, Chihuahua, to a group of sponsors organized by Theodore Roosevelt for a colony of South African Boer refugees. Roosevelt was represented by Edward Reeve Merritt and Marshall Latham Bond.

Said to have faced-down his enemy Pancho Villa in a confrontation during the early days of the Revolution; he and Villa died in the same year (Terrazas from old age; Villa by assassination). Served as governor for various terms of office between 1860 and 1904.