Ernest
was born in Switzerland. The family immigrated to America, when he
was two years old, and settled in Visalia. This is where he grew up.
In
January 1900, he joined an Artillery battalion for a three year
hitch. He switched to the Cavalry for his second and third hitches
where he spent several years with the rank of Sergeant. He became
disenchanted with the service and left in 1911.
He
worked in San Francisco for awhile then, on November 15, 1913 he
signed on as a guard at San Quentin. On May 13, 1914, Ernest was
promoted to Sack Inspector, in the Jute Mill.
It
was only a short time, after his arrival at San Quentin, that he met
the William Duffy family. There were two eligible daughters, Grace
and Alma. Ernest dated Grace Duffy
and, on June 12, 1915 they were married. They rented a house
immediately outside the east gate of the prison. Here their first
child, Dorothy, was born. Donald was born in San Rafael, so as not to
have San Quentin listed on his birth certificate.
On
May 1, 1919, Ernest was promoted to the Superintendent of the Jute
Mill. The Zubler family then moved into a two story house on the
prison reservation that was above and slightly to the west of the
wardens mansion. They lived on the first floor and the Conley family
lived on the second floor. By the time Barbara and Philip were born,
the Zubler's had taken over both floors.
The
sergeant training worked well for Ernest as the superintendent. He
knew how to train and deal with the new inmates who were assigned
him. He was both stern and fair but always required them to make task,
a required weekly production. All new inmates spent their first 13
months in the Jute Mill. By the time the new inmates had finished
their assignment, they were better equipped to handle their remaining
time in prison. He bossed 35,000 to 50,000 inmates, during his career
as superintendent.
The
Zublers remained at house 125, see below, on the hill, until 1944
when the family moved to house 110, the house closest to the prison
entrance. In July 1946 he retired after 33 years of service. Grace
and Ernest moved into the Duffy house at 21 Mc Kinzie on his
retirement. Ernest lived over 42 years at San Quentin and Grace
Zubler resided there for 75 years.
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