JHL DAR History

Chapter History

Josefa Higuera Livermore Chapter DAR was organized by Norma "Sue" Overturf and 15 members at large on April 15, 2000.

The chapter took its name from Josefa Higuera Livermore. Josefa was the wife of Robert Livermore, for whom the town and valley were named. Numerous descendants of this couple still live in the area.

Organizing Members	Charter Members	Charter Members
Sharlene Williams Boyer Jane Morse Cote Nancy Ankrum Douglas Mildred "Midge" Enke Jane Bearse Everett Linda Powell Garrett Kay Overturf Gilbert Rosemary Biel Lighty Michele Enke Marez Patricia Ann Smith Moore Norma "Sue" Smith Overturf Glynice Tawney Pomykal Clarice Erickson Sisemore Amie Garrett Spruiell Leona "Lee" Moore Walter Pam Degough Wheeler	Kendall Lynn Baker Nancy Baron Baker Patricia Sutton Baker Suzanne Mathers Bauer Kathleen Ann Bireley Andrea Emery Bortner Gail Voelker Bryan Jane McCaslin Callabresi Lisa Edwards Clowdus Lesleyann Medeiros Coker Fidel Schilling Crow Rebecca Lynn Degough Deborah Baker Diercks Amy Walter Dutchover Nora Ellen Degough Egli Carey Pomykal Estes Christine Cote Gaeckle Julie Sisemore Gee Judith Morse Gonsalves	Gail Smith Healey Jane Drennon Helms Patricia Warren Hoenig Jill Everett Hornbeck Marcia Ellinwood Katz Susan Pomykal Lietzke Mary Jane Smith McCarthy Maris Holmes Medeiros Julie Everett Mello Kathleen Freeman Overturf Gayle McCormick Ramsey Diane Clark Russell Jean Troxell Salas Jane Abbott Southwick Suzanne McCormick Wade Rachel Conrad Willis Barbara Creighton Wills Sara Walter Wood

As our sisters did before us, we strive to continue to achieve our society's goals:
historical preservation, supporting education programs, and promoting patriotism.

About Josefa Higuera Livermore

Josefa Higuera was born in 1815, to Jose Loreto Higuera and Ramona Bernal. A birth date for Josefa has not been found but records show that her parents were married at Mission Delores in 1813. She married Jose Fuentas Molina on June 1, 1835, and they had one daughter. She was soon widowed and married Robert Thomas Livermore on May 5, 1838, at Mission San Jose. Josefa and Robert Livermore had eight children and also adopted one child.

Josefa's parents, the Higueras and Bernals, were descended from the very earliest pioneers in California. Their ancestors were part of a group of thirty families who were sent by Spain to form a colony. That colony was charged with protecting the country and serving as a base for successive establishments. Members of Josefa's family were also part of the Anza expedition, which traveled in 1775 and 1776 from the town of San Miguel de Horcacitas in Mexico to California.

The Livermores were well known for their hospitality. After the discovery of gold, all land travel for several years went past their house, and travelers both to and from the mines made it a point to stop at the house. It was said that when peddlers came to the house, on their way to the mines, and asked the Livermores to buy their merchandise, they not only purchased the whole load of wares, but also the wagon and sent the peddler on his way with a new saddle and plenty of money.

Most of the present-day city of Livermore was part of Rancho Las Positas, a land grant that Josefa's husband obtained in 1839. Robert died in 1858 and Josefa died on January 16, 1879. Both are buried near each other at Mission San Jose. The city itself was founded and named after Robert Livermore in 1869, by William Mendenhall, who had met and befriended Robert Livermore while marching though the valley with Fremont's California Batallion. The city of Livermore was incorporated on April 1, 1876.

Sources:
Corridor Country by Reginald Stuart
Las Positas: The Story of Robert and Josefa Livermore by Janet Newton

Photos courtesy of the Livermore Heritage Guild

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