Juan Curbelo, born circa 1680, traveled with the fifteen other families from the Canary Islands in 1731 under the mandate of the King of Spain. After a year at sea, they landed near Vera Cruz, Mexico, and traveled north to Central Texas. Curbelo established himself as a visionary community builder who served as a councilman and was instrumental in establishing the settlement of San Fernando de Bexar — known today as San Antonio.
Alongside Curbelo in laying the foundations for modern day Texas, John William Smith, born on November 4th, 1792, and Stewart’s 4th Great-Grandfather, was influential in Texas’s struggle for independence and later served as an important civic figure. As the final messenger to send for reinforcements in the Battle of the Alamo, he later became the first Mayor of San Antonio after Texas was annexed into the United States.
Smith laid the groundwork for Plaza de Las Islas, or Main Plaza as we now know it, transforming it into a vital hub of commerce and leadership for Central Texas. Smith passed away on January 12th, 1845, but his contributions have had a lasting influence on San Antonio’s growth and development.
John Smith’s legacy of resilience and civic duty continues to influence the Skloss family today. Stewart’s father, Lawrence Vincent Skloss, a Korean War Veteran and newspaper executive for the Hearst-owned San Antonio Light, continues to live and work near Main Plaza in San Antonio. Buildings such as 200 Main and Floodgate are currently listed with Stewart, within sight of the Alamo, the Bexar County Courthouse, the San Fernando Cathedral, and the Riverwalk.
San Antonio During the Times of John William Smith
Skloss says, “I remember gravitating towards a career in real restate from the first time I was asked ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ I can only attribute that to my now known family history.”
Skloss studied at The University of Texas at Austin while participating in specialized programs at the Champions School of Real Estate when he was 18. This combination provided him with a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. “My education provided me with the the insight to recognize economic real estate potential and understand market dynamics on a global scale. I was enamored by these concepts, and I could not wait to put them to practical use,” Stewart explains.
Stewart Skloss honors Frank Bennack, a San Antonio legend, early mentor, and his Godfather: Frank Bennack, the late CEO of Hearst, served as Stewart’s early mentor. Bennack’s guidance was invaluable, demonstrating how to blend media, philanthropy, and global outreach. This not only shaped Stewart’s career, but also contributed to the cultural and economic development of Central Texas.
“Under the mentorship of Frank Bennack, I was guided by principles that enrich not just my professional journey, but also the cultural and economic growth and development of San Antonio and beyond,” Stewart says, emphasizing Bennack’s significant role in his life and work.