Juan Ángel Michelena (Argentine officer)
Juan Ángel Michelena was an officer of the Argentine army of Ecuadorian origin, who served during the War of Independence and Brazilian War. He began his military career in 1820 as Sergeant of the Battalion of the Río de la Plata.Biography
Michelena was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the son of a distinguished family of Basque-Creole roots. He had an active participation during the Emancipatory Wars, serving in the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers. He also participated in the civil confrontations between Unitarians and Federals, serving in the armies of both sides. He fought under the command of General José de San Martín, taking part in the Battle of Torata and Moquegua.
He also participated in all the military actions produced during the Brazilian War, and during the Argentine Civil Wars, he was part of the Confederation and Unitary Army, taking part in the Battle of the Vizcacheras under the command of Federico Rauch. He was promoted to Captain in 1832, and Lieutenant Colonel in 1851, participating the following year of the Battle of Caseros, under General Justo José de Urquiza.
Juan Ángel Michelena was married to Juana María Canaveri, daughter of Lieutenant Manuel Canaveris and María de los Ángeles Rodríguez Calderón. He is erroneously cited as a son of Juan Angel de Michelena y Moreno, a soldier loyal to Spain who fought against the revolutionary patriotic forces.
His wife was a member of the Sociedad de Beneficencia Unión y Caridad, a charitable society to assist the victims of the 1880 Revolution. This society was made up of distinguished Buenos Aires ladies, among whom were Victoria Pueyrredon de Lynch, president of the entity, Sara Carranza de Albarracin and Josefina Pelliza de Sagasta.
