In Santiago de Compostela, where he was born in the year 1877, he made his first studies, coming to America at the age of eleven years and bringing with him the will to make every sacrifice possible. The early stages of his life in Patagonia were very hard, based on constant labour. But his sterling honesty, his indefatigable industry, his soaring ambition went on smoothing his path, leading him to a gradual and solid economic betterment.

Very young, while barely sixteen, already notable for his ability in the rush of business, he entered into partnership with the firm known by the style of Don Victoriano Rivera, Iglesias, in the year 1893, obtaining the management of the same through his acknowledged ability.

But his overweening activity could not be confined to the reduced sphere of commercial enterprise. Seeing clearly the great future of the cattle industry in those privileged zones, he began to devote himself to it. The trial was such a success that he gave up active business life in order to consecrate all his energies to sheep-farming.

His assiduity and great experience in every kind of commerce bore him from triumph to triumph.

In the year 1906, the cattle company Menendez, Iglesias and Co. was founded and its prosperity greatly increased by his cooperation.

Diversifying his untiring activities, he entered into several other industrial associations, contributing to each and every one from the precious store of his talent and experience.

Such is a summary description of Don Manuel Iglesias personality; to his activity and initiative the territories of Santa Cruz and Magellan owe most of the progress they have attained.