His father was Cecilio Zavala, and his mother was Margarita Sandoval.
He married Serapia Aguilar (Zuniga), daughter of Doroteo Aguilar and Antonia Zuniga on 13 Dec 1874 in Losoya. the bride was 19 years old. Their padrino was Julian Gallardo, and their madrina was Maria de los Dolores Valdez.