Emilio del Real Tejera

A prominent public figure from Cienfuegos, a renowned lawyer and sports enthusiast, became, as a lawyer, a consultant to the principal commercial firms of the city, and as a sportsman, one of the best fencers in Cuba.

He was born in Cienfuegos on April 18, 1878, and was baptized in the Parochial Church on May 25 of the same year. His parents were Mr. Eusebio del Real y Oruña and Mrs. Natalia Tejera y Oruña, the former a native of Barcenilla, a place in the Valle de Piélagos, and the latter from Miengo, both municipalities in the province of Santander, Spain. His paternal grandparents were Mr. Felipe Antonio del Real and Mrs. Josefa Oruña, these ancestors being descendants of an ancient and noble family from the Valle de Piélagos.

He pursued his primary and higher education in his home, having his affectionate and educated mother as his teacher. His secondary education he studied with notable achievement at the Colegio de Nuestra Señora de Monserrat, and his law degree at the University of La Habana, where he distinguished himself through his dedication and talent.

He married in this city to the distinguished Miss Rosa Pertierra y Figueroa, daughter of the lawyer Pedro Pertierra and political niece of the patriot José Pertierra, Marquis of Cienfuegos.

Of considerable fortune, inherited from his ancestors and increased by his diligence and competence in the practice of his profession, he possessed one of the most solid and well-founded capitals in the city.

An easy and eloquent orator, a correct and authentic writer, a lover of the arts and especially of painting, of which he had a good collection of works executed by the most renowned national and foreign painters, he was one of the Cienfuegos lawyers who enjoyed high esteem not only in his city, but also in the province of Villa Clara and in the capital of the Republic.

Because of his superior qualities as a jurist with extensive knowledge in the science of written Law, he achieved resounding professional successes, shining many times as a courtroom orator at the Audience of Santa Clara.

During all the years his law office was open, it enjoyed great prestige, being the consulting lawyer for the principal commercial houses of the city. An enthusiast for the material and cultural development of Cienfuegos, it was rare to find a Mercantile Enterprise or Industrial Company of any kind that did not have his name as a shareholder or as a consulting lawyer.

A man of modern times, without prejudices, a firm supporter of the modern education plans of his era, he was an enthusiastic promoter of sports in general. He was considered one of the best fencers in Cuba and received several prizes, won in honorable competition in the tournaments held in this city. He was a prominent member and one of the most skilled shooters of the Cienfuegos Shooting Club, and he also figured in the front rank among those who most successfully dedicated himself to horsemanship.

Secretary of the public lighting company called "The Cienfuegos Electric Power Co." and "Cienfuegos, Palmira and Cruces Electric Railway Power Co."; of the "Compañía de Tranvías" and of the "Davidson Sulphate Co."

Consulting lawyer for the powerful company "Cuban Cane Sugar Corporation" and Councilor of the "Centro de Propietarios Urbanos de Cienfuegos".

Honorary President and later active President of the Exploradores de Cuba (Boys Scouts) to whom he gifted the valuable national flag that institution possessed.

President of the "Yacht Club" of Cienfuegos, having been Commodore of the same.

Secretary of the College of Lawyers and President of the then "Sociedad de Cazadores de Cienfuegos". His brother, Dr. in Medicine and Surgery Andrés Avelino del Real, was also a prominent figure in Cienfuegos society of that era. His name also appeared in the Board of Directors of the "Comité Local de Caballeros de la Cruz Roja", to which he made valuable donations.