Herbert L. Emery

Herbert L. Emery, of San Diego County, was horn in Rockland Maine, June 30, 1843, son of William S. and Lucy (Spaulding) Emery, both descendants of Scotch-English parents. but natives of Maine. William S. followed the sea, being captain of the fine old bark Louisiana making successful voyages to Europe, the West Indies, and other foreign ports. He made his first trip to California in 1849 by way of the Horn, bringing freight and passengers. Like many New England people he was the father of a large family, having fourteen children, eight of whom are now living, four sons and four daughters, of whom time subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth, having a twin brother, Henry. He came to California in 1853 then being ten years of age, and with his parents settled in Sacramento. In 1864 he enlisted in the California Volunteers, who for eight mouths were stationed at time Wilmington barracks [Drum Barracks], and were then ordered to Fort Mojave, while the regulars at the fort were sent to the front. He remained at the fort two years, doing escort duty to the pioneer wagon trains in defending them against the Indians. In 1866 his company was discharged and he returned to Sacramento. In 1868, in company with his father and twin brother, he went on the Fort Yuma road, on the Colorado desert, and bought up staging stations, where they opened stores under time name of Emery Brothers, which name and connection has been continued through all their enterprises. Becoming familiar with the grazing grounds of the locality they entered the cattle business, through the purchase of their stock from the drivers and exchanging hay therefor. Their interests were extended to Pine valley, through the purchase of school lands then occupied by a Texan, who for $50 gave up the possession and left the valley. Emery Brothers held possession until 1873 when the Government surveys were made and they took up and purchased 2,000 acres, which comprise the area of available land in the entire Pine Valley, that lies at an elevation of 3,700 feet, but is shut out by the mountains from all sea breezes. The valley is subject to heavy frosts and much snow, but having a fine supply of running water it affords a fine valley for the grazing and rearing of stock. They have a herd of 600 head of cattle, which has been vastly improved through interbreeding with the Hereford stock, a small well-knit animal, adapted to grazing and beef rather than mi1k-forming qualities.
Henry, the twin brother, died in 1888, but the firm name continues the same. The father arid mother, at the ages of seventy-three and seventy respectively, are still living, upon a ranch owned by the subject, in what is called the Alpine district, which is the warm belt of Southern California and extremely healthy for invalids. Mr. Emery also owns a fruit ranch of’ 100 acres, near Santa Cruz, where he grows the French prune, which he cures on his ranch and markets under the firm name. He is a man tilled with New England thrift and enterprise, whose younger days were fraught with great hardships in his pioneer experiences, but is enjoying the fruit of his labors and devotes his time to the management of his several estates.