Sacramento County
Biographies
CAPT. PETER BENJAMIN GONZALES
CAPT. PETER BENJAMIN GONZALES.--Probably one of the best-known and most expert captains on the Sacramento River, one whose genial manner has made him a host of friends, is Peter Benjamin Gonzales, who was born on May 2, 1878, at Oakland, Cal. His father, Martin Gonzales, who was one of the oldest captains on the Sacramento River, and whose sketch is also included in this volume, was married to Charlotte Swenson. Both parents are now deceased.
Peter Benjamin Gonzales was educated in the public schools of Oakland and the Oakland Business College, where he was graduated. In 1895 he started out to work as a cub pilot for the Sacramento Transportation Company, now the Sacramento Navigation Company, and was employed for two years without wages while learning navigation. After serving two years as a barge pilot, he received his pilot papers and was employed by the Sacramento Transportation Company, whom he served ever since. For three years he was on the steamer Red Bluff, with Captain Allen, and in 1911 he took charge of the steamer Dover as captain. It is interesting that his father was the oldest captain and he was the youngest on the Sacramento River, both working for the same company. Since then he has been master of all the company's boats - the Colusa, San Joaquin No. 1, San Joaquin No. 2, Jacinto, Dover, Red Bluff, Flora, San Joaquin No. 3, which was burned. He is now the senior captain in actual working service with this company. He has had a successful career as master of boats, and is highly esteemed as a navigator.
In Sacramento, Captain Gonzales was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Horn, of San Francisco. They were blessed with a little girl, Muriel, who is now the wife of Mr. Edward T. Dudley of Los Angeles, and the mother of one child, Edward Dudley. Mr. Gonzales is a member of the National Mates and Pilots Association. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 584. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.