EMILE K. STEVENOT

EMILE K. STEVENOT.- To the gold mines of California is due the rapid growth and development of the State, and to its efficient assayers and mining engineers should much credit be given. Among this worthy class of scientists ranks the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Stevenot was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, and was educated in mining and engineering at the University at Strasburg, where he graduated in 1863. After completing his education he came direct to California to join his father, Gabriel K. Stevenot, who is numbered with the California pioneers. The latter arrived here in August, 1849. He located and developed a rich mining section at Melons, Carson Hill, Calaveras county, and when his son arrived, in 1863, was president of the Melons Mining Company. Emile K. aided in operating the mines until 1870, when he came to San Francisco and started a borax and metallurgical refinery, on the corner of Chestnut and Powell streets. Beginning in a small way, he increased his capacity with the growth of his business until he had the largest and most complete works of the kind in the United States, working a force of thirty men day and night. Mr. Stevenot discovered the process of manufacturing refined borax from the borate of lime and magnesia ores, and built up an extensive business throughout the United States and Europe. Subsequently concentrated borax came into general use and became cheaper in price, and the demand for the refined article grew less and less until 1879, when he sold out and returned to his mining interests in Calaveras county. There he located and developed valuable mines on the West Lead of the "Mother Lode" of California. In September 1888, he sold to the Calaveras Consolidating Gold Mining Company, limited, of London, a group of mines, extending 8,000 feet from Stanislaus river over Carson Hill. He still owns the the adjoining Chapparal Hill mining property, extending 4,000 feet on the same lode, upon which the croppings of the vein show abreadth of 100 feet of solid quartz.

Mr. Stevenot was married in San Francisco in 1872, to Miss Sarah Stephens. Residing at the mines until 1890, he then moved to Sonoma, Sonoma county, to give his children the benefit of a higher education. He there purchased a ranch of thirty-one acres, set in vines and fruit, a built a chemical laboratory for the conducting of a general assay business, used chiefly, however, for the analyzing and developing of his own mining interests.

He is active and enthusiastic in his mining operations, and at this writing has an office it No. 330 Pine street, San Francisco.

Mr. and Mrs. Stevenot have seven children, all of whom are at home and engaged in securing an education. Mr. Stevenot is a member of the Blue Lodge and Grand Consistory, F. & A. M., and of the Pioneer Society, to which he was elected as being the son of a pioneer.

 

Transcribed by Elaine Sturdevant