Elbert County
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Everett L. Ashcraft is the owner of excellent
property interests in Elbert county and in addition to conducting his farms has
for eight years been mail carrier on a rural route. He was born in Williamstown,
Grant county, Kentucky, on the 20th of March, 1880, a son of J. H. and Molly
Ashcraft, who came to Colorado on the 20th of March, 1886, and resided for some
years in the southeastern part of the state. The family was established in
Kentucky at the earliest period of its development, an ancestor of Everett L.
Ashcraft having gone with Daniel Boone to that district when it was known as the
dark and bloody ground.
A lad of but six years at the time of the arrival
of the family in Colorado, Everett L. Ashcraft has since lived in this state and
is indebted to its school system for his educational opportunities. He was
reared to farm life and soon acquainted himself with the best methods of tilling
the soil and caring for the crops. Twelve years ago, or in 1906, he homesteaded
five miles south of Mattison, in Elbert county, and in addition to that holding
now has a fine farm on the edge of the town of Mattison. The further development
of his landed possessions occupies much of his time and the remainder is given
to his service as a mail carrier on a rural route, which work he has performed
for eight years. This has brought him a wide acquaintance, and a genial and
obliging manner and unfailing courtesy have gained for him the respect of all
with whom he has come in contact.
On the 3d of February, 1903, Mr.
Ashcraft was united in marriage to Miss Leah Ashcraft, of Las Animas, Colorado,
and they have become the parents of three children: Leonard, Clarence and Clara.
--1918 History of
Colorado by Wilbur F. Stone, volume 4, page 738.
Early 1900s
Fred Bachmann II ranch near Kiowa
Fred Bachmann II's Family on the Bachmann Ranch
1919 bean patch on Bachmann Ranch
(my other g-grandfather's farm near Kiowa)
ca. 1920s
Fred Bachmann's Hardware Store in Kiowa
Contributed by BJ Jorgensen Molineway@aol.com
ca. 1908
The homestead of my g-grandfather, W.H. Earnest Bishop, located near Kiowa
ca. 1908, inside homestead
l-r: Ida, Golda, Earnest, Elmer, Loyd Bishop
ca. 1910
My g-grandfather, W.H. Earnest BISHOP with his
son, Elmer, showing off his watermelon crop at his homestead near Kiowa
After the flood of May 1935
my g-uncle Elmer Bishop's hotel in Kiowa
Contributed by BJ Jorgensen Molineway@aol.com
Richard L. Clow, handling lands, farms and stock ranches, is one of the
well-known real estate men of Denver, with offices at 1513 Stout street. He was
born in Ontario, Canada, June 20, 1858, and is a son of the late David Clow, who
was a native of Scotland but who crossed the Atlantic to Canada about 1846.
Later he removed to Grove City, Iowa, and in May, 1860. took up his abode in
Denver, being among the early prominent mining men of Gilpin county. He
discovered the Caledonia lode and was instrumental in putting in one of the
first hoisting engines. He was associated with Sam Morgan and Mr. Cushman in his
mining pursuits and lived in Gilpin county for four years. He afterward removed
to Boulder county, Colorado, where he purchased land and followed farming and
stock raising upon the site of the present city of Boulder. He continued a
resident of that county for four years and then removed to Denver county,
settling at Wheat Ridge, near the city of Denver, where he purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land. He then carried on farming and dairying and from there
removed to Hill Top, Douglas county, where through his own labors, business
discernment and capable management he accumulated twenty-six hundred head of
cattle. There he resided and was active in business until a short time prior to
his death, which occurred in Denver. January 1, 1883. when he was forty-seven
years of age, his remains being interred in Fairmount cemetery. In his fraternal
relations Mr. Clow was a Mason, while his political connection was with the
republican party, which found in him a stanch champion. His religious faith was
that of the Presbyterian church and he was an earnest and devout Christian man
whose religious belief permeated his activities in every line of life. His
business affairs were wisely, carefully and successfully conducted and he left
to his family a comfortable competence and also the priceless heritage of an
untarnished name. He wedded Mary A. Cascadden, a native of Canada and of English
lineage. She is still living, making her home at No. 241 South Lincoln street.
In the family were eight children, six sons and two daughters.
Richard L.
Clow, the eldest of the family, began his education in the country schools of
Boulder county and also studied for a time in the schools of Douglas county,
Colorado. His early life was spent upon the home farm amid the conditions and
environment of agricultural life. He was a youth of fourteen when he took up the
task of providing for his own support. He was first employed at rounding up
cattle for the late Alfred Butters, a pioneer stockman of Elbert county,
Colorado. He then began raising live stock on his own account on his father's
ranch and continued in cattle raising until 1883. At the age of seventeen years,
he had entered the land business at Hill Top and located a number of settlers
there. Between the ages of seventeen and thirty-one he operated quite
extensively in that section and he was a close observer of conditions, of
business opportunities and also a student of public demand. About 1883 he began
advertising Elbert and Douglas county lands and entered into the land business
on an extensive scale. He also conducted a livery business and two-star mail
routes. He was otherwise active in community affairs and interests, serving for
two terms as county assessor of Elbert county. In 1900 he removed to Denver and
established his present business and in 1906 he removed his family from
Elizabeth to Denver — largely for the purpose of giving his children a high
school education. However, he still retains large land holdings in and near
Elizabeth. He has extensive land holdings in the rain belt and also other lands
elsewhere and he handles stock ranches. In fact there is little concerning
property interests in the state with which he is not familiar. In 1883 he gave
the section in the western part of Elbert county and the eastern part of Douglas
county the name of the rain belt, and this section has since proven to be the
best rain belt in the state of Colorado and is everywhere thus known. His
experiences have indeed been broad and varied. In the early days he was an
expert broncho buster and in 1876. at the first state fair, he won a
fifty-dollar saddle given by George Hamburger, a pioneer saddlery manufacturer
of Denver. The fair was held at Elyria and for years Mr. Clow enjoyed the
reputation of being the best rider in Colorado. He has the reputation of never
having been thrown from a horse, yet he has ridden hundreds of the wildest
horses in the country.
In 1884 Mr. Clow was united in marriage to Miss
Ida M. Phillips, a native of Illinois and a daughter of J. T. and Elizabeth
Phillips. To them have been born two sons and six daughters. Tliese in order of
birth are Blanche E., Anna B., Ethel May, Ida Pearl, Beulah Elizabeth, Thelma
B., Richard J. and David D. The elder son is a lieutenant in the army, now
stationed at Camp Travis. Texas, and is twenty-four years of age. The younger
son is assistant manager of F. W. Woolworth Company's store at Oklahoma City and
is twenty years of age.
This in brief is the life record of Richard L.
Clow, who for fifty-seven years has been a resident of Colorado. There is no
phase of the state's development and progress with which he is not familiar. He
can relate many an interesting incident of the early days, some of these having
to do with his own experiences. He was a lad of but eight years when his father
said to him one day: "Son, if you go over to our neighbor's ranch and get a
certain heifer calf and bring it home all by yourself, I'll pay for it." The
price of the calf, which the father had previously ascertained, was ten dollars.
The lad covered a distance of three-quarters of a mile and unaided secured his
calf and unaided, but with much labor and trouble, brought it home. This
constituted the beginning of his live stock business and out of this particular
deal he gradually acquired a herd of one hundred and fifty head of cattle, which
later proved to him a goodly start in the live stock business. In this and in
other ways the father on many occasions had the children do things for which
they were generously rewarded — things which were an impetus for effort and the
development of ability on their part. The resolute spirit wliich he displayed in
getting the calf has been characteristic of Mr. Clow throughout his entire life.
He has never stopped short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose as
the years have gone by. The chance to do a thing has ever been a spur to his
activity and his ambition, and the call of opportunity has neyer been allowed to
pass unheeded by him. In politics he maintains an independent course, while
fraternally he is identified with Highland Camp, Xo. 1, W. 0. W., and his
religious faith Is that of the Christian Science church.
--1918 History of
Colorado by Wilbur F. Stone, volume 2, pages 841-842.
James P. Curry, one of the pioneer and successful live stock dealers of Fort
Morgan, now partially retired from this field, is president of the First
National Bank of that place, proprietor of a flourishing loan and investment
business, which he has conducted under the name of the Fort Morgan Loan and
Investment Company and principal owner of the Fort Morgan Hotel Company. In view
of these statements, it is almost unnecessary to add that no citizen of Fort
Morgan has played a more important part in its material development than Mr.
Curry. A native of Indiana, he was born in Valparaiso, July 22, 1855, being a
son of Joseph G. and Elizabeth (Hesser) Curry. His father, a prosperous Ohio
farmer, died in 1886, while his mother, also a daughter of that state, passed
away when James P. was only three years of age. The son was educated in the
Valparaiso public schools and at the age of twenty migrated to Colorado. It was
in the spring of 1875 that he located in Elbert county and at once entered the
stock business, which he continued to conduct and develop on an extensive scale
until 1905 and such is his love for his old time calling that he is still
interested in it in a minor degree.
In the fall of 1881 Mr. Curry removed
to Morgan, then Weld county, where he continued actively engaged in the raising
of live stock, and after a few years commenced his career as a founder and
promoter of various financial institutions. In 1890, at the organization of the
State Bank of Fort Morgan, he was elected its vice president. In 1903 that
institution was reorganized as the First National Bank of Fort Morgan and Mr.
Curry then assumed his present position as president. Besides his business
connections already mentioned he is a director of the Jackson Lake Reservoir
Company, president of the Fort Morgan Irrigation District and is also the owner
of two large farms in the county comprising fifteen hundred acres each, which he
operates himself. In Masonry he is identified with Oasis Lodge No. 67, of Fort
Morgan, A. F. & A. M., Fort Morgan Chapter, R. A. M., and Fort Morgan Commandery
No. 28, K. T. A Republican in politics, his large and absorbing business
interests have prevented him from devoting much of his time to public affairs,
although he has ably served one term as county commissioner. Mr. Curry's wife,
to whom he was married in 1886, was Miss Alma Herrendoefer, daughter of Herman
Herrendoefer, of New Ulm, Minnesota. They have one child still living - Flora G.
Curry.
--1913 Semi-Centennial History of the State of Colorado,
by Jerome Smiley, volume 2, page 177.
Elmer Burton DeuPree, of Craig, publisher and editor of the Craig Courier and
the Moffatt County Bell, was born at Beloit, Kansas, April 4, 1874, and is a son
of James Madison and Josephine Troutman (Nelson) DeuPree, the former born at
Gallatin, Missouri, in 1848, and the latter in Canton, Missouri, in 1854, both
being of Kentucky parentage. Elmer B. DeuPree acquired a public school education
in Oberlin, Kansas, and graduated from the high school at Hoxie, Kansas, in
1894. He was then employed at railroad work for two years, and in 1897 went to
Victor, Colorado, where he became salesman and eventually manager for a
wholesale produce house. Later he clerked in a country store in Kansas and then
worked in the mines in the Cripple Creek district. He next turned his attention
to the theatrical business, becoming an actor and manager and during the ensuing
fifteen years, 1900 to 1915, he covered every state in the Union. In July, 1910,
he had become identified with the newspaper business, taking over the Elbert
County Banner, at Elizabeth, Colorado, and later established the Parker
(Colorado) Post. In 1911 he was appointed by Governor Shofrath a deputy dairy
commissioner, which position he held three years. Along with other enterprises,
he owned the Aurora Democrat in 1914- 15. In March, 1916, he moved to Maybell,
Colorado, and established the Moffatt County Bell. He served four years as
United States commissioner and then took up a homestead and was instrumental in
bringing many settlers to that locality. In 1921 he bought the Craig Courier,
which he is still publishing, as he is also the Bell. He served five years as
justice of the peace. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Maybell, is a
member of the Farmers Mill and Elevator, at Maybell, also of the Vermillion Oil
and Gas Company, the Moffatt County Fair Association and the Columbian Motion
Picture Company, of Denver. Mr. DeuPree is a member of Cedar Mountain Lodge, I.
0. 0. F., at Craig, and Victor Lodge No. 367, B. P. O. E., at Victor, Colorado,
as well as the Lions Club and the Commercial Club at Craig. He is an active
member of the Congregational church at Craig. On October 4, 1906, at Chicago,
Illinois, Mr. DeuPree was married to Miss Mary Ayer Griffin, who is an active
and able newspaper woman and journalist. They have two children, Willis
Virginia, born March 19, 1911, and Robert Marshall, December 26, 1912. Mr.
DeuPree is the representative of old pioneer stock, his mother having
accompanied her parents to Denver on June 5, 1859. His father was in his younger
days, during 1865-66, a freighter in Wyoming and Nebraska, and he and his wife
are now living on a ranch near Kiowa, Elbert county, Colorado.
-- 1927
History of Colorado by State Historical and Natural History Society of Colorado,
volume 5, pages 558-559.
Alexander Joseph Eisner, the cashier of the State Bank of Ramah at Ramah,
Colorado, was born July 12. 1882, in Elbert county, this state, a son of George
and Ida (Maul) Eisner. The father was a native of Wisconsin, while the mother's
birth occurred in Germany. George Eisner became one of the first settlers in
Elbert county, establishing his home there when the work of progress and
development seemed scarcely begun and the most farsighted could not have dreamed
of the changes which were rapidly to occur and transform it into a very
productive and profitable farming section.
Alexander J. Eisner,
supplementing his common school education by a course in a business college,
started upon his commercial career as an employe in the general store of the
Elbert Mercantile Company, where he remained for three years. He afterward
removed to Ramah in connection with Lemuel Gammon, whom he represented in a
mercantile way for three years, and upon the organization of the State Bank of
Ramah he was made cashier of the institution, with which he is now connected,
being also one of its stockholders and directors. In his official capacity as
cashier he has largely had charge of the bank and the control of its business
and in such matters displays sound judgment, keen sagacity and unwearied
industry. The success of the institution is largely attributable to his labors
and he has the entire confidence of Mr. Gammon, whom he has long represented in
a business way.
On the 20th of June, 1906, Mr. Eisner was married to Miss
Clara M. Brazelton, of Elbert, a daughter of Alex and Emma (Charman) Brazelton.
She acquired a common school and business college education. By her marriage she
has become the mother of two daughters: Vida Beth, born April 20, 1913; and
Lillian Alexandria, born September 27, 1916.
Mr. Eisner is a Mason,
holding membership in Kiowa Lodge, No. 116, and also belongs to Ramah Lodge. No.
178, I. O. O. F., and Elbert Lodge, No. 152, W. O. W. His political endorsement
is given to the republican party. He is a clean-cut, energetic young business
man of fine appearance, active, shrewd, persistent, possessing the full
confidence of Mr. Gammon, whom he represents, and of the general public. He is
making steady progress in a business way and he well deserves the success which
is now his.
--1918 History of Colorado by Wilbur F. Stone, volume
3, page 54.
Elbert County had among its German settlers August H. BEUCK, a native of
Kiel, Holstein, who, in his adopted country became a prominent ranch man.
[August BEUCK was owner of 1,000 acres of land in Elbert County and also of
nearly as many head of cattle, and was a member of the Colorado Cattle Growers'
Association.] Another successful German rancher was Henry GEBHARD, a native of
Baden. [Henry GEBHARD, who after spending ten years in Elbert County buying,
selling and shipping cattle, became a member of the Burghardt Packing Company
and later organized the Colorado Packing and Provision Company, the largest
packers of beef and pork in the State.] Other Germans of note in Elbert County
are Anton SCHHINDELHOLTZ, J. George BENKELMAN, J. J. KRUSE and John HOFFMAN.
--History of the German Element in the State of Colorado, by Mildred S.
MacArthur, pages 15, 26, 27.
Thomas P. Hooker, who is now a peaceful and progressive ranch and cattle man
of Routt county, with a pleasant home in the vicinity of Hayden, has been active
and prominent in the public life of this state and an energetic participant in
some of the tragedies incident to the unsettled conditions of its earlier
history. He was born on July 4, 1849, at Big Flats, New York, and is the son of
Joshua and Margaret (Reser) Hooker, natives of Delaware, who, while living in
the state of New York, were engaged in mercantile pursuits, the father being a
lumber dealer there. He was an earnest Republican until 1866, then became a
Democrat and remained one until his tragic death in 1877, in Elbert county, this
state, when he was killed by desperadoes whom he was assisting his son, Julius
A. Hooker, then sheriff of the county, to arrest. There were five children in
the family, three of whom are living, Thomas P., Virginia, wife of James
Whetstone, and Patrick H. One of the deceased, Julius A., who died in 1901, was
a prominent man in Elbert county, serving with credit to himself and
satisfaction to the people as sheriff, county assessor of Elbert county and
county treasurer of Routt county, holding the last-named office six years. He
was a Republican in politics, forcible and fearless in advocating the cause of
his party, as he was in the discharge of his official duties. A daughter named
Mary died in 1864. The mother resides with her son Thomas P. He received a
common-school education in his native state, remaining there with his parents
and working in their interest until he reached the age of twenty-one. From New
York he moved to Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Wisconsin in succession, and in all
those states worked at his trade as a carpenter. In 1869 he came to Colorado and
located a ranch which he occupied and farmed until 1877, working at his trade
also during that period. He then moved to Leadville and devoted two years to
mining and prospecting, but without success. In 1879 he became a resident of
Routt county, and after improving a ranch which he then sold to A. Pain, he
bought the one on which he now lives, comprising eighty acres, all of winch is
under cultivation in hay, grain and vegetables, hay and cattle being his chief
productions and main sources of revenue from the place. Although an old-time
citizen, he is a progressive one and his example is well worthy of emulation by
the younger generation. He is a Republican in political allegiance and as such
served seven and one-half years as deputy sheriff of Elbert county. Having seen
some of the sterner features of western life, which he confronted with a manly
spirit, he has enjoyed all the more the quieter fields of productive industry in
which he is now engaged, and to them he has devoted his energies and his fund of
general information to good advantage for himself and for the section in which
he has cast his lot, taking an active part in its development and improvement
and performing with zeal and intelligence all the duties of good citizenship,
thereby winning an enduring hold on the regard and good will of his fellow men.
--1905 Progressive Men of Western Colorado by A. W. Bowen, pages 142-143.
Lee Ramsey, popular and well known in real estate and land loan circles of
Denver, was born in Chatham, Virginia, a son of Isaiah and Matilda (Krider)
Ramsey, both of whom were natives of Virginia, where they spent their entire
lives. The father was a well-known tobacco planter, owning an extensive
plantation in that state. Their family numbered six children.
Lee Ramsey,
who was the fifth in order of birth, spent his early life as a pupil in the
schools of Laurel, Delaware, and afterward attended the Sunnyside high school in
Bedford county. Virginia, while later he became a student in Yadkin College of
North Carolina. He then took up the profession of teaching in the Old Dominion
but after being thus engaged for a short period his health failed and he sought
the benefits of a change of climate in Colorado, removing to Elbert county, this
state, in the year 1879. There he soon regained his health in the excellent
climate and outdoor life of the west and again took up the profession of
teaching, which he followed for a short time there. He also took up the study of
law and after thorough preliminary reading w-as admitted to the bar in 1882. He
was then immediately appointed to the position of deputy county clerk and clerk
of the district court of Elbert county and filled both positions to the entire
satisfaction of the general public. He held the office of deputy county clerk
for a year and was then elected to the position of county clerk and served in
that capacity for ten years, when he refused to longer remain the incumbent in
the office. He then removed to Canon City, Colorado, but resided there for only
a few months, when he decided to remove to Denver and in 1895 took up his abode
in the city which has since been liis home. Here Mr. Ramsey has branched out
into the line of banker and financier. His has become one of the leading firms
which furnishes money on dry farm mortgages, and he does business along similar
lines, and is also interested in a number of prosperous banking establishments.
He has closely studied the dry-farming situation and is thoroughly conversant
with the subject, so that he is enabled to conduct his affairs along most
profitable linos. Moreover he has, by rendering timely and appropriate aid,
greatly contributed to dry-farming development in the state. He gives his
attention most unfalteringly to the conduct of his business, and his close
application, his energy, his foresight and his intimate knowledge constitute the
basic elements of his growing success. He is also a director of the Capitol Hill
State Bank; is president of the Elizabeth State Bank at Elizabeth, Elbert
county; and is interested in the Elbert County Bank and a director of the Kiowa
State Bank of Elbert county. His investments have been judiciously made and the
wisdom of his judgment is demonstrated in the success which has attended his
labors.
In November, 1907. Mr. Ramsey was married to Miss Grace Bradley,
of Denver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Bradley, of Jeannette.
Pennsylvania. She was a successful teacher prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs.
Ramsey have an interesting family of three children. Lee, born August 29, 1908,
could read his lessons at the age of four years and now, at the age of nine
years. Is in the first grade in the high school and displays notable proficiency
In all of his studies. Margaret Helen, born in Denver, March 5, 1911, started to
read when three and a half years of age and Is now in low fourth grade. Virginia
Grace, born March 28, 1912. began with lessons when two and a half years ot age
and is now in the high third grade, being regarded as one of the brightest
pupils in the public schools of Denver. In fact the family is notable for the
precociousness of the children in their school work. The acquirement of
education seems to them a genuine pleasure and everywhere their notably bright
intellect elicits comment and praise.
Mr. Ramsey is well known in Masonic
circles, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, commandery, consistory and
Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a democrat, and while well versed on the
questions and issues of the day, has in later years not been connected with
public office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his
business affairs. He is not a club man, his interest centering in his family, of
whom he has just reason to be proud. However, he is appreciative of the social
amenities of life and has many friends, his genial qualities and cordial
disposition making for popularity among all those with whom he is brought in
contact.
--1918 History of Colorado by Wilbur F. Stone,
volume 3, pages 145-146.
Anton Schindelholz was born in Luzerne, Switzerland, in 1832, and reared
beneath the shadows which the Alpine peaks fling over the Swiss landscape. He
came to Colorado in 1860, bringing with him no capital save hardy muscles,
thrifty habits, and a determination to win a fortune, that has been happily
crowned by success. His father had died when he was thirteen years old, and at
that early age he was compelled to commence a rugged experience with the world,
working steadily, and saving his earnings, until he had accumulated sufficient
means to cross the ocean from the Old World to the New. Prior to his coming to
Colorado, he lived three years in Leavenworth, Kan., and, like thousands of
others, came hither, reveling in the golden dreams of sudden wealth. A short
experience in Cartiner Gulch, however, dispelled this illusion, and the sober
judgment of the man asserted itself over the visionary hopes of the enthusiast.
Purchasing a ranche, which he stocked with cattle, he there laid the foundation
of his wealth, by devoting his time and money to the increase and improvement of
his stock. Dairy-farming has also claimed his attention, and on his ranche, near
Denver, he has produced large quantities of butter and cheese, conducting a
successful business, in these products, for two years. In Elbert County, about
fifty miles east of Denver, he has carried on an extensive business in raising
and selling stock, in connection with his partner, Mr. Benkelman, owning, in
1879, ten thousand head of cattle, and shipping several thousand head to Kansas
City, in the same year. Though this firm has operated heavily in Texas cattle,
they admit that there is more remuneration in raising native than imported
stock. Mr. Schindelholz has become a permanent resident of Denver, since 1878,
and occupies his beautiful residence at the corner of Thirtieth and Lawrence
streets. He was married in Elbert County, Colo., in 1868, to Miss Mary
Dietermann, by whom he has had several children. His wife was also one of the
early settlers of this Territory, and experienced all the dangers and hardships
of a frontier life. A short time before her marriage to Mr. Schindelholz, her
family were driven from their home by Indians, and several of her friends were
killed, she herself narrowly escaping with her life. Mr. Schindelholz is so well
known throughout this county, both as an upright citizen and an enterprising
business man, that any extended sketch of him is unnecessary. During a twenty
years' residence in Colorado, he has accumulated a fortune sufficient to allow
him to spend the remainder of his days in ease and luxury.
--1880 History
of the City of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado by O. L. Baskin & Co.,
pages 580-581
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This page was last updated
02/06/2026