He was born on 23 July 1827 in Alajuela, Costa Rica, to Bernardo Soto Herrera and Josefa Quesada González.
A supporter of President Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez, he was a member of the Consejo de Estado (Council of State) from 1880 to 1882.
Subsequently, during the terms of his son Bernardo Soto Alfaro, on whom he exercised enormous influence, he held positions of great importance.
He died in Alajuela, Costa Rica, on 13 June 1911.
[2] This article about a Costa Rican politician is a stub.