Francisco Martínez Portusach (1864–1919) was a Spanish merchant and whaler who was briefly the Governor of Guam, before he was deposed. In the American media of the time, he was often referred to as Francisco Portusach or Frank Portusach.
Portusach was born in Barcelona, Spain. His father was a wealthy merchant and Portusach spent his childhood on Spanish merchant ships in the Philippines and other Spanish territories. After the death of his father, he fell out of favor with his elder brother and moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1885 and became a United States citizen in 1888. Soon after, he moved to Tacoma, Washington, and then to San Francisco, California, where he met and married his American wife. Together, they moved to Guam, then a Spanish colonial territory.
On June 20, 1898, during the Spanish–American War, the United Statescaptured Guam. The existing Spanish garrison, including Governor Juan Marina, were taken as prisoners of war to Manila. The existing Spanish citizens of the island were also disarmed. CaptainHenry Glass, the commander of the battle appointed Portusach as the acting-Governor of Guam, to serve until a formal military garrison could be sent. Portusach's only qualification for the position was that he was the only American citizen living on the island.
With Glass and the United States Navy departed, Portusach was unable to solidify his position as governor and he was quickly overthrown by José Sisto, a Filipino Spaniard and the island Treasurer under Spanish rule. Sisto, too, would shortly be overthrown by the native Chamorro population. In January 1899, the USS Brutus arrived and reinstated Sisto – not Portusach – as governor.
In 1917, he wrote History of the Capture of Guam by the United States Man-of-War 'Charleston' and Its Transports.
francisco, martínez, portusach, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, december, 20. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2015 Learn how and when to remove this message Francisco Martinez Portusach 1864 1919 was a Spanish merchant and whaler who was briefly the Governor of Guam before he was deposed In the American media of the time he was often referred to as Francisco Portusach or Frank Portusach Francisco Martinez PortusachGovernor of GuamIn office June 22 1898 December 12 1898Preceded byHenry GlassSucceeded byJose SistoPersonal detailsBorn1864Died1919 aged 54 55 Biography editPortusach was born in Barcelona Spain His father was a wealthy merchant and Portusach spent his childhood on Spanish merchant ships in the Philippines and other Spanish territories After the death of his father he fell out of favor with his elder brother and moved to Chicago Illinois in 1885 and became a United States citizen in 1888 Soon after he moved to Tacoma Washington and then to San Francisco California where he met and married his American wife Together they moved to Guam then a Spanish colonial territory On June 20 1898 during the Spanish American War the United States captured Guam The existing Spanish garrison including Governor Juan Marina were taken as prisoners of war to Manila The existing Spanish citizens of the island were also disarmed Captain Henry Glass the commander of the battle appointed Portusach as the acting Governor of Guam to serve until a formal military garrison could be sent Portusach s only qualification for the position was that he was the only American citizen living on the island With Glass and the United States Navy departed Portusach was unable to solidify his position as governor and he was quickly overthrown by Jose Sisto a Filipino Spaniard and the island Treasurer under Spanish rule Sisto too would shortly be overthrown by the native Chamorro population In January 1899 the USS Brutus arrived and reinstated Sisto not Portusach as governor In 1917 he wrote History of the Capture of Guam by the United States Man of War Charleston and Its Transports See also editList of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United StatesReferences edit Spaniards Rise In Guam New York Times New York N Y Dec 31 1898 pg 1 1 pgs Portusach Was Deposed The Washington Post Washington D C Dec 31 1898 pg 1 1 pgs The Capture of the Island of Guam Overland Monthly and Out West Magazine San Francisco Mar 1900 Vol VOL XXXV Iss No 207 pg 225 9 pgs Spanish Empire Coins in Guam Part Three Spanish American War bibliography by Navy mil Preceded byHenry GlassCommissioner Governor of Guam1898 Succeeded byJose Sisto Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Francisco Martinez Portusach amp oldid 1184260042, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
