José Santos Degollado Sánchez (born November 1, 1811 in Hacienda de Robles, Guanajuato - died June 15, 1861 in Llanos de Salazar, State of Mexico) was a Mexican politician and military leader. During his service in the Mexican Army, Degollado fought against López de Santa Anna and later alongside Benito Juárez. He was deputy, and later governor of the state of Michoacán. During Benito Juárez's presidency he served as Secretary of War and Navy and as Secretary of External Affairs. Degollado was a colleague of Melchor Ocampo and fought by his side in many battles. His remains were interred at the Panteón de Dolores in Mexico City, in the Rotunda of Illustrious Persons on November 26, 1936.
Degollado is a small town and Municipality in the eastern highlands of the Mexican State of Jalisco. The municipality encompasses Huascato, Los Ranchitos, La Vibora, Buenos Aires, Las Limas, Altamira, La Chancla and El Corral de Piedra.
In Spanish, the word "degollado" means "to slit one's throat", "behead", or "decapitate". It is also a last name. In this case, the town was named after a Mexican general, Santos Degollado. A statue of him is in el Jardin de Niños which was made from coins from the townspeople during the early 1960s.
On December 24, 1917, the town was under siege by the bandit leader J. Inés García Chávez and his men. It was also one of the places in highlands of Jalisco where the Cristero War took place during the 1920s.
Degollado is known for its cantera. One of the best selling products are stone images of the virgin of Guadalupe and sculptures, such as fountains, animals, and columns. It is known for alternative treatments (in the Rinconada, Degollado) such as acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine.