Sacramento County
Biographies
TONY GOMEZ
TONY GOMEZ.--The agricultural interests of Andrus Island have been materially benefited by the presence of Tony Gomez, who represents the best farming element of the region that has witnessed his efforts for advancement. His birth occurred on this island May 27, 1877, a son of Frank and Mary (Martins) Gomez, both natives of Azores Islands. Frank Gomez in his younger days was a whaler in the Arctic Ocean. While on one of his trips, in 1870, he landed in California; and soon after he sent for his wife. He spent three years at farm work in the vicinity of San Francisco; then he leased 200 acres on Sherman Island, but lost his crop by flood. He then leased 200 acres on Brannan Island and the second season’s crop was destroyed by flood; then he located at Isleton and for a while was engaged in pulling scows along the banks of the Sacramento River with mule-teams. In 1881 he purchased a ranch of seventy-five acres, but later sold twenty-five acres to an uncle. Six children were born to this couple; Tony, our subject; Frank; Joseph and Mary, twins; John; and Manuel. The mother of our subject passed away when he was a small boy, and his father is now seventy-two years old and resides with our subject. Tony was reared on his father’s ranch and attended the Georgiana school.
On May 3, 1916, at Modesto, Mr. Gomez was married to Miss Mae Bettencourt, a native of Oakland, Cal., a daughter of George and Mary (Silva) Bettencourt, natives of Boston, Mass., and Madera, Cal., respectively. Grandfather Bettencourt was a seafaring man in the early days and experienced shipwreck three times; he passed away in Oakland in 1922 aged eighty-two years. George Bettencourt came to Oakland, Cal., with his father at the age of four years and for many years has been in the contracting business around the bay. Mrs. Gomez is one of seven children: George, Edward, Mae, Rose, Albert, Clarence, and David. Mr. and Mrs. Gomez are the parents of one daughter, Dolores. Since his marriage, he is operating his father’s ranch, on which he makes his home. Mr. Gomez is a Republican in politics.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches,
Pages
983-984. Historic Record Company, Los
Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.