Manuel
Castro, one of the active business men of Sacramento, is a native of Lower
California, born in the State of Loretta, June 12, 1837, his parents being
Francis and Joanna (Canisares) Castro. His father was born near the frontier
between Upper and Lower California about 1801, and was an officer in the army
of Mexico from the age of twenty years, and the Government gave him the San
Fernando grant. When Manuel Castro was but twelve years of age he went to sea
as a cabin boy on the John Anderson, which plied between Mexican and California
ports. He was with that vessel about three months, then remained in San
Francisco about two weeks, when he went on the schooner Sixth of June, also in
the coast trade. He remained with her about seven months, after which he was on
the Two Brothers for nine months. He got away from her at San Francisco and
went to the mines with a party of young men. When they got at the Cosumnes
Creek it was raining hard, and they crossed in an oil-cloth boat, riveted.
Getting to the other side they went into camp, and some of the boys went out
and killed a deer. They then went on to Dobler’s Springs, between Stockton and
Mokelumne Bar. At the latter place they went to mining, after a few days. Mr.
Castro had no money but could get trusted for anything he wanted, flour was $3
a pound, bacon $1.50 a pound, yellow sugar $1.50 per pound. Mr. Castro,
however, was making from $16 to $20 a day. He fell in with a young fellow he
had known in Mexico, and the two boys worked together five months, making $1,300
apiece. All kinds of utensils were expensive. A tin dipper cost $1.50; a bucket
cost $6, and a tight half-barrel to make a cradle cost $100. After five months
Mr. Castro went back to Lower California, but after visiting there about six
weeks, he returned and went to the Sonora mines. Three weeks later he went to
San Antonio, and after a few days proceeded to Jesus Maria. There he remained for some time, then went
to Sutter Creek, and mined between Volcano and Sutter. There he mined for a
long time, and became one of the best known young men in that region, and very
popular with every one. In 1857 he came to Sacramento, and after five months
went to boating on the river for Fred Milleo and Anton Brewer. Two years later
he bought them out. Afterward he sold his boat, and built two others. He
carried on that business until about 1863, but in 1879 he opened a large
wood-yard in Sacramento, and has carried on that business since. He has two
yards, one between P and Q streets, the other on the corner of Fourth and L
streets, and does and extensive business, having a very large number of
customers. Mr. Castro married in Sacramento March 19, 1861, to Miss Gustella
Paz, a native of Lower California. They have three children, viz.: Rodolfo,
Golfida (wife of Gus Gonnett) and Marshall. Mr. Castro is a member of the
Walhalla Grove, No. 6, A. O. D., of Lodge No. 11, K. of P., and of Tribe No.
14, Red Men. In the days of the volunteer fire department he was a member of
Eureka Company, No. 4, and is now an exempt fireman. Mr. Castro has a good
memory, and has many interesting and entertaining recollections of the early
mining days.
Transcribed
by: Marla Fitzsimmons
An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California.
By Hon. Win. J. Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 306-307.
© 2004 Marla Fitzsimmons.