E. A. Duval

E. A. Duval is an early settler and a prominent business man and racher of Saticoy, Ventura County, California. He was born in one of the Windward Islands of France, September 14, 1834. His parents and all his ancestors were French people. Mr. Duval came to American when sixteen years of age, and has become thoroughly identified with American principles and government. A part of his life was spent in the State of Maine. He came to California in 1861, went to the mines in Nevada for three years, and was afterward in the grocery business. From Virginia City he came to Saticoy, in 1868. This country was then a vast field of mustard. Mr. Duval purchased seventy-five acres of land, built a house, and at once commenced the work of planting trees. Some of the trees first planted have attained a wonderful growth. His land is now mostly devoted to fruit - apricots, peaches, plums, prunes, nectarines, apples, pears, figs, oranges, lemons, blackberries, almonds and walnuts. At the time he bought this property, land was sold at from $12 to $20 per acre. It is now worth from $150 to $500 per acre, according to the improvements made. Mr. Duval has disposed of a part of his land, but retains a fine home, where he resides; and in addition to his ranch interests he is also engaged in mercantile business.

    He was married, April 15, 1855, to Miss Artemisa G. Hopkins, who was born in Frankfort, Maine, daughter of Captain Smith Hopkins and Susanna Hopkins. Their union has been blessed with ten childre, nine living, viz.: Charles S., Carrie, Winton, Gertrude, Anna, Willie, Walter, Earnest, and Edwin. The first three were born in Maine, and the others in Saticoy, California. They are members of the Union Church of Saticoy. In his religious views Mr. Duval is a Conditional Immortalist. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is much interested in the upbuilding of his town.

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