Born: February 21, 1850, in San Miguel, Sonora, Mexico
Died: December 1, 1937

Mariana Gonzales came to Tempe with her father about 1874. Her father, Mariano Gonzales, had been a rancher in Sonora, but was forced to flee to the United States because of political turmoil in Sonora at the time. Their family settled in Tucson around 1868, and they later moved to the Salt River Valley. She was a teacher.

Mariana Gonzales married James T. Priest in Tempe in 1875. She was mother of eight children, including Clara, John G., Marina, Anna, James (Jr.), and Lourdes. She is buried in Double Butte Cemetery.