Although a resident of Pescadero, the active years of Mr. Coburn’s life have been spent in the mining regions of California and the growing cities of Oakland and San Francisco. Loren Coburn was born in Berlin, Orange County, Vermont, January 11, 1826, with New England blood, a promise of future success.
When ten years of age, his home was changed to Massachusetts, where he remained until he started for California in 1851. He shipped from New York on the steamer Falcon, bound for Cuba. After passing over the Isthmus of Panama he took passage on the ship Panama, arriving in San Francisco on June 1, 1851.
From there he went to the northern mines, by way of Sacramento, Greenwood valleys, and remained four months at the placers, on the middle fork of the American River. On returning to San Francisco, laden with the fruits of his successful mining experience, he was induced to enter a business life.
He engaged in the livery business in Oakland where he remained four years, after which he disposed of his stable and bought another in San Francisco, continuing in active business for twelve years.
While still in the city, Mr. Coburn purchased the Punto del Ano Nuevo Rancho, a Spanish Grant of four leagues.
After the sale of his San Francisco business he leased his ranch to the Steele Brothers, and in 1866 took his long deferred trip back to the land of his birth.
Returning in 1868, he spent the next four years in San Francisco and at the expiration of the Steele Brothers lease in 1872, he removed to Pigeon Point and assumed charge of his vast property, having added to it, 10,000 acres on the Salinas river in Monterey County, and a large tract of timber land near Pescadero.
The famous Pebble beach is located on this property, and on it he has erected a beautiful hotel. The United States lighthouse is also located on property once owned by Loren Coburn. For many years he engaged in the dairy and stock business with the same success that characterized his early efforts.
Mr. Coburn has made Pescadero his home for many years, and has won the esteem of his fellow citizens by his worthy efforts to make himself an honor to the land of his adoption. He has the honor of being the largest individual land owner in San Mateo County.
Mr. Coburn married Miss Mary Antoinette Upton, a native of Reading, Massachusetts. She died in Pescadero in 1896, leaving one son, Wallace Loren Coburn. Mr. Coburn then married Miss Satira S. Upton, an estimable woman and sister of his dead wife, who has brought him happiness and companionship during his declining years.
When I finish the Wikipedia article for Harold W. Roberts, a San Franciscan who posthumously was given the Medal of Honor after World War I, I will be writing a page for Mr. Coburn. For years I collaborated with the late June Morrall, author and the foremost chronicler of the Coastside, on her history blogs. Mr. Coburn was a subject of many postings, and her book, “The Coburn Mystery,” revolved around a family tragedy. Mr. Coburn was a frequent subject of both of us on her PescaderoMemories.com. blog. If whoever wrote this wants wants to collaborate in my creating a Wikipedia article about him I’d be glad to accept their input. However, you might want to read some of the entries at her blog or excerpts from her book before deciding. The “won the esteem of his fellow citizens” almost made me laugh out loud. I think it is safe to say he was the most hated man in the area in the last decades of his life. But, as with all powerful men, their stories are complex, and should be told fully and accurately. I will make sure I do so. While June is dead ten years, her blogs have been archived as historical resources. I still use the email address listed on my postings. Enjoy. John