TRACT #9 – MRS. E. SUAREZ
Mrs. E. Suarez is the 34th signature on the 1940 Petition to Incorporate the City of Federal Heights. On July 7, 1931, Suarez purchased Tract #9 from Albert E. Johnson on the north end of Federal Heights, and as a landowner, was eligible to sign the petition.
Manuela, also known as Emma, was born January 5, 1867 in Spain’s northern province of Asturias. Her husband, Fernando, born on June 17, 1861, first came to the United States in 1896. He returned to Spain and brought his family to the United States, sailing from Gibraltar and arriving at Ellis Island on October 1, 1901 after a two-week voyage at sea on the steamship Trave. Immigration documents reveal that the family planned to settle in Denver where they were to be sponsored by an uncle. Four of the couple's children lived in Colorado - Antonio, Obulia Lulu, Lucielle and Margarita. Emma and Fernando lived at several different addresses in Denver before settling at 2727 Curtis Street in a home that was built in 1884. The home that the family lived in for nearly 30 years still stands today.
Fernando, his three brothers, his son and other relatives worked at Solis Cigar Company in Denver. By 1906, Fernando was a foreman at Solis, the largest cigar company in Denver. He and his family members, including his daughter, Lulu, were members of the Cigar Makers’ International Union (CMIU). About one-fourth of the cigar industry work force were women. Although the CMIU initially barred female cigar makers from membership, in 1867, the union became one of only two national unions to accept females and became a forerunner in the representation of workers of various backgrounds, though this policy was often defied by union locals. In 1913, the Solis Cigar Company employed 86 cigar makers at an average weekly salary of $16.38 which was better than average wages. The Solis Cigar Company brand was sold in Denver for several decades.
Fernando passed away on October 20, 1928. As a widow, Emma purchased the property on North Federal and continued to live in her Curtis Street home.
Emma Suarez passed away May 10, 1942 at the age of 75. She is interred at Riverside Cemetery in Denver with Fernando and two of their children.