Biography Jose I. Gimenez

Biography of LIFE of Mr. Jose I. Gimenez

Born in St, Thomas, then known as the “Danish” West Indies, as of December lst, 1889, My father was known as Mr, Alelardo de Las Mercedes Gimenez, be was a son of a very well known doctor and Pharmacist, as well as President of the Conservative Party of Puerto Rico, As a doctor and Pharmacist, he owned a chain of Drug Stores at the towns of Bayanon, Cataino, Vega Baja, Vaga Alta, and Comerio. He compounded a number of Medicine such as the Regenedor de La Sangre, Gimenez Emulsion, still found in Drug Stores, Cough Medicine, and others, trade names of all were registered in Puerto Rico.

My Father came to St. Thomas as a Salesman, and traded between these islands Santo Domingo and Haiti, being able to speak Spanish, French and English, and having a very good knowledge of business, he was at home in selling. He then married my dear mother then Miss Mercedes Naar, she was from a not too well off family from Curacao, her Father was Mr. Matias Naar, a Grocer who onner and operated a Grocery and Liquor business located where William Dunlot’s Grocery is now, However, my Mother being a good Wife and Mother, much devoted to her husband and Children, she helped save the dollars, and as time went by, they bought and owned a number of properties around our home section, and about town, and was able to leave each of us a property.

I was their third son was born in the property still located in Curacao Street, the second from the corner coming up General Gade, and now owned,  by Mrs. Odelina Titley. As a baby of just eight months, as I was told, I rolled down the steps and fell on a pile of stones, and was just a matter of inches from the cover of an open well located near the steps, when I was taken up I was covered with blood and unconscious, the Doctor was called and ordered that I be placed in ice, and there I was for hours, I was told.

Then life came back, the Blacks of my eyes could not yet be seen, and when the swelling came down, my eyes remained crossed, but as years went by, just as the doctor said, I grew it out to a great extent, but as I became older, it was discovered that my ability to learn was much damaged as a result. However, as tine went by and I became older, and with much ambition I was able to improve in my education, to be who I am today.

 (Want to become a blacksmith)

At the age of eight years I very much admired and liked blacksmithing profession, and I Found my way in Hughue shop at factory corner by the old ice house, later I went with hope as a more respected business, then at the age of 15 years, I went to work on the dry dock as driller in the repairs of the pontoons, pay then was about $6.00 a week, and working hours was from 7 AM, to 5 PM  however, we had to get up from 5 AM to be ready.

(Gave my mother my first pay)

As I received my first pay of $6.00 that Saturday, it looked to me like $600, I rushed home and with such joy handed it to my mother, telling; her “Mother this is For you, but she only took $4.00 and gave me two with that I went to Levin store and bought her a Calico dress, and again gave it to her, she kissed and corressed me and told me as she called me by my pet name, “Cedro, God bless you and keep you a good child” It was sure a joy and satisfaction to see my dear mother showing her dress to friends telling them her son Cedro gave it to her.

(At The Age of eighteen)

When I was eighteen years I asked my Father to take me to Puerto Rico, and get me in a Factory there even though he was vary much reluctant in doing so, he did, and I worked at Tortilla until I was offered a job as an oiler on a large ship of the then Peck line, sailing between Puerto Rico and New York, there I stayed until I had the long to be remembered experiance of a very serious gale at sea, it lasted from 12 midnight to 12 noon next day, so bad that waves were going over the mast, no one could walk on deck not even with the life line. I recall next morning hearing the Purser taking to the Captain that he thought of it’s condition, he really was very serious, so serious that if by 12 noon it don’t change, we are lost ‘for sure, pray and ask God to help and protect us.

Just added a Video of a song that J.I. wrote. https://youtu.be/5Mcb7ZKXKwo