Yolo County
Biographies
MICHAEL T.
EMMERT
In the history of the Sacramento valley no name is more prominent among the agriculturists and general up-builders than that of Michael T. Emmert, who for many years was identified with the interests of both Colusa and Yolo counties, where he is still owner of large landed possessions, although since 1903 he has made his home in Oakland. The success achieved by Mr. Emmert through his association with the pioneer interests of California has been the result of his own efforts entirely, for beyond an inheritance of courage, energy and ability and a practical training received upon the paternal farm, he came empty handed to the Pacific coast. That he has succeeded in making a place for himself in the west is evidenced by the position he holds among the citizens of the state both in financial and social circles, winning an ample competence for himself and at the same time giving his best efforts toward the development and upbuilding of the interests of the community in which he has been known as a citizen for so many years.
Of southern birth and lineage, Mr. Emmert was born in Washington county, Md., March 19, 1846, a son of Isaac and Susan A. D. (Hershey) Emmert, both natives of the same locality, the father a descendant of a German family which located in that state prior to the Revolution. The maternal grandfather, David Hershey, was also a member of a pioneer family of Maryland, where he spent his entire life. During the best years of his life Isaac Emmert carried on farming in Washington county, Md., in which state his wife died, while he died in Mount Morris, Ill., in 1849. During his early youth Michael T. Emmert made his home in the latter place for a short time, but later returned to Washington county, attending the district school in the winter months and assisting his grandfather during the summers. In 1870, attracted to the west by the multifold opportunities held out to the man of energy and ability, he crossed the continent and became a member of the family of his uncle, David N. Hershey, who had come to California in 1853 and later became a prosperous farmer near what is now Blacks Station, Yolo county. The following year he began farming on his own account in Yolo county and also in Colusa county, where lands at the time were reasonably cheap. He finally purchased six hundred and forty acres in Colusa county and engaged in general farming and stockraising, in which combined labors he was eminently successful. After his marriage in 1881 Mr. Emmert and his wife located permanently on his ranch in Colusa county and began improvements which place his property among the best in that section. He has erected commodious and substantial buildings adequate for the protection of his stock and farming implements and has set to fruit fifteen acres, which are yielding satisfactory returns. The busiest and most prosperous years in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Emmert were spent in agricultural pursuits in Colusa county, where they remained until 1903, when they located in Oakland and in a well-deserved retirement are passing the evening of their days among the comforts which their prosperity has enabled them to gather about them. Their home is among the fined residences of the city of Oakland and is supplied with every modern convenience and comfort.
Mrs. Emmert was formerly Maria L. Aikin, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Albert M. Aikin, a representative of an old German family. Her mother was Elizabeth Frasier in maidenhood. The second daughter in a family of seven children, Maria L. Aikin passed her girlhood days in Virginia, where she attended select and private schools. She came to California in 1880 and the following year was married to Mr. Emmert. She is intellectual and accomplished, and presides over her home with much gracious dignity. Mr. and Mrs. Emmert are the parents to two children, Varina at home, and Michael T., Jr., a student in the State University. In addition to his large landed interests Mr. Emmert is identified with many of the business movements of Yolo county, now serving as a stockholder and director in the Yolo County Savings Bank and is a stockholder in the Bank of Yolo, of which he was one of the organizers. In Yolo county he owns a fine timber tract of three hundred and twenty acres, and a stock ranch of seven hundred acres in Colusa county, besides his home place. Mr. Emmert is highly respected as a citizen for the sterling traits of character which he has displayed in all transactions during his long residence in California, loyalty to his adopted state, participation in all movements to advance its welfare, constancy in friendship and honorable dealings with all who have had association with him, either in business or social life.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: "History of the State of
California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento
Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, Pages
363-364.
The Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1906.
© 2017 Joyce Rugeroni.
Golden
Nugget Library's Yolo County Biographies