Monterey-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Hebert, Z. 1826 - 
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Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

Z. HEBERT.—The biographies and reminiscences of the early settlers of California
would be an interesting contribution to literature. The hardships they endured,
the reverses they met and overcame, the amusing positions in which they were
often placed, and finally the success which has crowned the efforts of many of
them, would form a picture strong in detail and contrast, in which the skillful
artist could so dispose the lights and shades that something would strike a
sympathetic chord in every heart.

  The subject of this sketch has been the hero of many adventures, but his
buoyant, fun-loving disposition has caused him to always see the ludicrous phase
of every situation, and from temporary reverses and misfortunes he has always
raLlied, and at the sound of the bell was on the track ready to "trot them
another heat."

  Z. Hebert was born at Breaux Bridge, St. Martin parish, Louisiana, January 17,
1826. His father was a farmer and planter, and young Hebert's education was
received at Breaux Bridge prior to the age of fifteen, at which time he left
home and went to New Orleans, relinquishing his interest in his father's estate
to his brothers and sisters. After following various occupations here, he
started for California, in 1850, via Chagres and Panama. His capital consisted
of $700. After walking from Chagres to Panama he was in a badly used-up
condition, and his mental condition was not improved on learning that a steamer
ticket for San Francisco would cost $500. He finally secured passage for $75 on
the brig W. Brown, but was three months at sea, a part of the time on very short
allowance of food and water. During the voyage the passengers were compelled to
take possession of the vessel, put a drunken captain in irons, and place the
second mate in command. Such were the privations and dangers of this voyage that
Mr. Hebert resolved never to go home until he could go by land.

  When he arrived in San Francisco he was surprised to see so much gambling and
such a quantity of gold bars and gold-dust. The killing of a man every day was
not unusual. Mr. Hebert immediately secured work in a butcher shop and grocery
store, at $200 per month, and subsequently opened a butcher shop, on the corner
of Jackson and Dupont streets. He made about $3,000 here, when his partner got
the gold fever and they started for the mines. But his mining experience was
disastrous. There was an ill omen at the start. Their pack mule ran away and
scattered their pans and other mining paraphernalia along the trail. Soon after
he returned from the mines he opened a butcher's stall and subsequently started
a wholesale butcher business, and commenced dealing in sheep, with a man by the
name of Sedgley for partner.

  In 1865 he bought 3.000 acres of land at Natividad, Monterey county, which he
still owns. He came to Monterey county to reside in 1868, and has ever since
been prominently identified with the county. He has been a life member ever
since its organization of the Monterey District Agricultural Association, and
owns some good trotting stock. He was one of the founders of Salinas City Bank,
and is still a stockholder. He is frank, broad and liberal in his views, and
generous to a fault.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.



HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.


CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.


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