McKENZIE

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, August 04, 2013 at 07:05:10 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, July 17, 1902
page 1

Earthly Voyage of Captain John T. McKenzie Ended
Another Pioneer Died Suddenly in San Rafael Friday Night

Still another pioneer of Marin County has passed to the great beyond. Captain John T. McKenzie died at his home on Third Street, San Rafael, at 12:35 o'clock, Friday night. He had not been feeling well for about a week, but on Friday he went with a niece to visit the Cliff house and on the return trip ran from the streetcar to catch the 5:15 boat leaving the city. After reaching the boat he complained of feeling ill, and when he attempted to board the train at Sausalito he became faint, but soon recovered. Superintendent Shoemaker accompanied him home, and medical aid was called, but the veteran Captain gradually grew worse until death ended all.

Captain McKenzie was born in Newport, Rhode Island in Dec. 1823, and came around the Horn to California in 1849 in charge of a ship. For a short time he engaged in mining, but soon returned to the ship, and followed his occupation until his death.

In the early days he commanded boats in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and for awhile commanded the boat running between Petaluma and San Francisco, stopping for passengers and freight at San Quentin. In 1864 a ferry system was established between San Quentin and San Francisco, and Captain McKenzie was given command, and since that day, almost 40 years ago, he had charge of boats running either from San Quentin or the community to crowd the play Sausalito.

He was always known as a careful, and courteous commander and during his almost 60 years of service never met with an accident until the Sausalito ran into the San Rafael a few months ago, and the public never considered him at all to blame for that disaster. He was highly praised for his coolness, courage and good judgment while that boat was sinking, and was one of the last to leave it. As a testimony of their affection and esteem, just after that accident the people of Marin County presented him with a fitting testimonial.

The Captain was the oldest master on the Pacific coast, both in age and years of service. He was prominent in Pioneer's society, and for 55 years had been a member of the Masonic order.

The remains will be taken to San Francisco Tuesday for burial under the auspices of Mt. Mariah Lodge No. 44, F. and A.M. of which he was a member.

Heart failure was given as the immediate cause of the death.

Captain McKenzie leaves a wife, Mrs. Ella R. McKenzie, a daughter, Miss Abbie, a student in the San Jose Normal school, and a son, James, who is in the employ Wells Fargo express.

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Marin County Tocsin
Saturday, July 19, 1902
Page 2

Died

McKENZIE – In San Rafael, July 12, 1902, John Taylor McKenzie, aged 78 years, 6 months, and 12 days.