Upon his arrival in the United States, Carlos went to work as a General Manager for his school chum, Talamantes who owned three businesses: a restrauant, LaPaz del Dia, a Tortilleria and a Rolojera. All three were located on Main Street in Los Angeles.
Four more children were born in Los Angeles and the last 2 were twins. Robert, one of the twins, died of Erysipelas contacted at the Los Angeles General Hospital after a tonsillectomy. He was about 2 years old.
Just six years after their arrival in Los Angeles, and when the twins were only six months old, Carlos was gone. He died March 4, 1928 as a result of a fractured skull incurred from an automobile accident. It happened on a Sunday when the family were attending Mass. A friend went to the Church to get Josefa.
Carlos had a fear of automobiles and had never wanted to ride in one or even have one. He had been sitting on the corner after working that morning waiting for the street car to go home. Some friends came by and offered him a ride home. At first Carlos refused not only because of the fear of the automobile but also because the friends had been drinking (and were probably drunk). It is unknown exactly how the accident occurred but however it did, Carlos was in the back seat. Had the friends merely lifted his head - helped him somewhat - Carlos would not have died. The friends ray away for fear of being put in jail for the accident as well as for being under the influence. Because of the confusion which occurred during Church services, young Carlos literally refused to ever attend mass again; it left a memory of his father's death an unpleasant scar.
The family was then left totally in the hands of Josefa. Those of the older children who could work, did. Josefa became extremely dependent on Josefina since she was the eldest of the girls. The family was very close and were devout Catholics depending on God for survival; they remained so until the death of Josefa. There were always get-togethers; Christmas, Easter, birthdays or just Sundays. We were always together either with the Oviedo side of this Manriquez side. Mommie, including her own children, would make hugh meals practically from nothing. Financially they had very little but surprisingly lived well.
In the very early 1930s, young Carlos was sitting on a bench at a local park doodling. A man came and sat next to him. Carlos finished his sketches and began to pack up to return home. The man asked him if he needed a job to which Carlos replied he did. The man said he was getting ready to open a studio and offered Carlos a job. This man was Walt Disney. Carlos worked for Disney Studios from 1931 to about 1938 and one of his pieces of work was drawing the characters of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was not until the early 1990s that any of us knew of this story and it was only recently that a copy of the original book was found. Uncle Carlos died in 1981 and his brother Hector, went to Mexico to visit Carlos' wife. While there, Hector had asked for any piece of memorabilia she may have of his brothers work. Gilla showed Hector the trunk of things and the book was there. Uncle Carlos left Disney in 1938 and as a going away give, all the artists who worked on the Snow White movie signed their personal good farewell wishes to Carlos including Walt Disney. When I heard of this book, I wrote a letter to Disney Studios asking permission to make two copies of the book and it was granted. It is heartwarming to first have the copy and also to know of the work Carlos did for Disney. What is heartbreaking is that he, Carlos, was never given recognition for any of the movies and cartoons he worked on. Seems there was a little discrimination during that period of time. I understand that Carlos Daniel Manriquez is now mentioned as one of the artists. I have not seen the credits but my sister has and we all feel much pride know that a member of our family is finally recognized for his fine work.
During the difficult hard times of the war years (1940-1945) some members of the family lived together and those who did not stayed close within the vicinity of Jefferson and Arlington of Los Angeles. Mommie, with the younger childred lived in a court complex on 37th stree. A telegram was sent to this home announcing the death of Oscar. He was killed in the invasion of Normandy in France on September 26, 1944.
In 1946, after the war, a home was purchased by all the brothers and sisters for Mommie. This home was at 2048 Cullivan Street, Los Angeles, and it then became the focal point of many other gatherings. Mommie and the children who were not married lived there.
Though her legs were bad, Mommie walked daily to Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Church on Imperial Highway to attend 8:00 Mass. Until she became very ill, she never missed one day. Josefa had cancer of the right breast which was removed in later years although she died of an enlarged heart in October 1955.
In this year of 2001, only four of the twelve Manriquez children are living. We are all proud of our aunts and uncles for their respective achievements and there are times we wish we could turn the clocks back to relive all the wonderful fun times we had with them growing up.
Since 1976 the family has gathered for a Family Reunion at which the number in attendance has grown to over 200. These reunions have been held every two years with the next scheduled for 2002. Family have come from around the country and it is great fun when we are all together.
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