Kemble, Edward C. (Edward Cleveland), 1828-1886

Edward C. Kemble was born in Troy, N.Y.. His father was a state Senator and editor of the "Troy Budget". At 18 years of age, E.C. Kemble traveled to California with Samuel Brannan, a New York newspaper publisher, in the ship "Brooklyn". He arrived in California July 31, 1846 and took charge of the first printing office established in San Francisco (Yerba Buena at the time). Kemble edited and printed San Francisco's first newpaper, the California Star (owned by Samuel Brannan). He bought Brannan out later and merged with another newspaper to establish the Alta California. Kemble's connection with the Alta California ceased in 1854. Kemble, as a volunteer and sergeant of Co. K of Fremont, participated in battle during the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. He was one of the first white men to visit the mill at Coloma after the discovery of gold by Marshall. He was also part of the company that made the first gold discoveries on Feather River, opening the famous diggings on Bidwells Bar. In 1855, Kemble organized a "Committee of Pacific Coast Emigration", composed chiefly of California merchants and shippers resident in New York, and which was the pioneer movement for organizing emigration to the Far West. Kemble was Seretary of the Committee and published a paper in New York called "The Californian". In 1856, he edited the "Chronicle"- the first Republican paper printed in San Francisco. In the spring of 1857 Kemble joined the Sacramento Union as Associate Editor. When the Civil War broke out, Kemble went east as war correspondent for the Sacramento Union. He later held the office of Inspector of Indian Affairs under President Grant.