E. W. Maslin’s Contributions To The Fig Community

Edwin Wesley Maslin was largely known by his initials, and for his life as a lawyer, politician, and miner, more than his contributions to the fig community. He did not write as much about figs as other well-known fig personalities. However, he is mentioned frequently throughout publications by other authors. A few fig varieties were named after him: Maslin No. 91, Maslin 150, Maslin Edible Variant, and Maslin.

HON. E. W. MASLIN.—It is universally conceded that there is no study at once so valuable and so interesting as that of personal biography. This is especially true of biography in California, for, from the records of no other people on the face of the earth can so much of instruction and of profit be gleaned than from the recital of the lives of the older Californians. It is, therefore, with all confidence that pen is put to paper in the case of such an (sic) one. Hon. E. W. Maslin, the secretary of the State Board of Equalization, was born in Maryland, April 1, 1834, the son of Philip Thomas and Harriet (Points) Maslin, both natives of that State. The father died at the age of sixty-five years, and the mother when but forty-five years of age. Mr. Maslin received his education in his native State. He came to California by the ship Herman, having a long six-months voyage by way of the stormy Cape Horn. He reached San Francisco May 1, 1853, and started at once for the mines, reaching Grass Valley on a Saturday night and going to work on the following Monday. Here he continued until September, 1855, when he began the study of law, being admitted to the bar in the spring of 1857. His time at the mines was not ill-spent, however, for Mr. Maslin was the locator of the celebrated Idaho mine at Grass Valley, as also of its eastern extension, the Maryland mine, also of great value. He has retained his interest in mining, holding interests in copper and other mines. Being admitted to practice law he immediately opened an office in Grass Valley and succeeded from the first. In the fall of 1859 he was elected district attorney of Nevada County, holding office for two years at Nevada City. He then removed to Grass Valley and remained there until the summer of 1869, when he went to Sacramento and was elected secretary of the first State Board of Equalization. He remained in the Capital City until the spring of 1872, when he went to Santa Rosa, but upon the election of Governor Irwin he was appointed his private secretary, a post he filled until January, 1880. He was then elected to his present official position as secretary of the State Board of Equalization, as then organized under the new State constitution. Mr. Maslin has been much interested of late years in promoting horticulture in the foot-hills of California. He has conducted many experiments upon his ranch at Loomis, Placer County, achieving most successful results, which have benefited the entire State, and has fostered a rapid advancement of portions formerly wholly neglected. In 1882 he planted the Sherry grape upon his place, and in 1885 the Smyrna fig, meeting with abundant success and adding largely to the resources of the State. Mr. Maslin is a gentleman of progressive views, a clear and logical thinker—one who has won eminence by merit, and who has hosts of ardent friends—in fact, all who know him. He is one of California’s most valuable citizens. He was married at Grass Valley, in 1859, to Miss Mary A. Underwood, a native of Missouri. She died in May, 1874, leaving five children, four sons and one daughter, the latter having some time since been most unfortunately drowned. Their names are: Vertner, Sargent Prentice, L. W., Mary Maud and Thomas Paul. In 1885 he was married, secondly, to Miss Alice Way, of Jerseyville, formerly a teacher. They have one son.

Sacramento County Biographies

See also Mr. Maslin’s Fig Orchard Is A Wonder

A biography of E. W. Maslin has been authored by a family member, Emily Hawthorne.