Manuel Emilio was born in 1812 in Cullera, Provincia, De Valencia, Valenciana, Spain. At a young age, he was chosen to attend the College of Patriarchs, a selective school for music (Emilio). Before he was even of age, he enlisted in the military and was immediately placed in the military band. When the Spanish Civil War began, he laid down his instrument and picked up his weapon until he was given the chance to travel to the United States. He left on a US Navy ship as the master of the band, and never returned to Spain (Emilio). Upon arrival, Emilio settled in Salem, MA. He immediately put his musical talent to good use, teaching many music students, and opening a “School for Instruction in Instrumental Music” in 1839 (Emilio). He later married Isabel Fenollosa, the sister of Manuel Fenollosa, who came with Emilio to the US on the same ship (Emilio). Together, Emilio and Isabel had six children, and one who died in infancy. Luis Fenollosa was born in 1844, and was Captain of the 54th in the US Civil War. Isabel Maria was born in 1847, Enreque Victor in 1851, Mary Silsbee in 1853, Clara Luisa in 1855, and Manuel in 1858 (Ancestry.com).

Manuel Emilio moved for a short period of time to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he thought his monetary prospects would be better (Emilio). However, after three years and much coaxing from his friends, he moved back to Salem, where he lived until he passed away in 1871 (Ancestry.com).

During his lifetime, Emilio was very involved in his church, writing music and leading choirs. He wrote and arranged a number of hymns and songs, although many went unpublished. His most famous published work was “Little Eva; Uncle Tom’s Guardian Angel”, with words by John. G. Whittier (Emilio). Emilio and his family were a strong abolitionist family, and this legacy was solidified through the work of his eldest son, Luis, as he served in the Civil War and went on to write multiple works about his experiences serving in a Black regiment (Emilio).