EZEQUIEL C. DE BACA was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on November 1, 1864. His early education was attained in parochial schools of his hometown, and later he attended the Las Vegas College. Before entering politics, he worked as a teacher and a postal clerk, as well as a journalist for the La Voz del Pueblo, a weekly Spanish newspaper. De Baca first entered politics as the deputy clerk of the San Miguel County District Court. He also served as a delegate to the 1900 Democratic National Convention; was board chairman of the New Mexico Asylum for the Insane from 1912 to 1916; and served as the lieutenant governor of New Mexico from 1912 to 1917. De Baca next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by popular vote on November 7, 1916. Six weeks after his inauguration, Governor De Baca became seriously ill, and passed away on February 18, 1917. He was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Las Vegas, New Mexico.