Pueblo County, Colorado
Albert G. Boone

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Albert G. Boone, a direct descendant of the famous frontiersman, Daniel Boone, came to Archuleta County in 1886 and homesteaded a quarter-section of land sixteen miles south of Pagosa Springs, where he has since made many valuable improvements and engaged in raising stock. At times he winters as many as two hundred head of cattle, which he feeds hay and grain raised on his ranch. On the Democratic ticket he was elected county commissioner in 1893 and at the expiration of his term in 1896 was re-elected for three years. He is chairman of the board at the present time.

Near Kansas City, Mo., in 1845, our subject was born to Van D. and Mary A. Boone, natives of Kentucky. His father, who was one of the leading stockmen in western Missouri, came to Colorado in 1860 and settled in Pueblo County, taking up government land eighteen miles east of Pueblo. There he devoted the remainder of his life to farming and stock-raising, dying on his ranch when eighty-seven years of age. He was a man of integrity and actively identified with public affairs. His wife was a sister of William Randall, of London, Ky., who was a member of congress for several years and a distinguished citizen of Kentucky. She is now living and resides in Pueblo, well preserved and active not-withstanding her seventy-six busy years. In her family there are seven children, namely: Albert G.; Emma H., Mrs. Lewis Barnham, whose son, Lewis Barnham, Jr., is the present adjutant-general of Colorado; Charles R., of Archuleta County; Zurelda E., of Pueblo; Harriet B., wife of T. R. Jones, of Pueblo County; Benjamin F. and Jesse M., of Pueblo County.

When the family came to Colorado, the subject of this sketch was fifteen years of age, and afterward, he being the eldest child, had charge of the farm and business affairs. In 1883 he went to New Mexico, where for three years he engaged in raising stock, which he ranged on the plains of that territory. From New Mexico he came to Archuleta County, his present home. A progressive man, he has been a leader in the building up and development of this county, and has done much to promote its progress. Realizing the great value of an education, he has helpfully assisted in the schools of Pueblo and Archuleta Counties, where he has acted as school director since attaining his majority. He organized school district No. 6, in this county. While he has had many reverses, they have not discouraged him, but in spite of them he has worked his way forward to a position of independence and influence among the substantial men of the county. Among the people here he has many friends, as is evidenced by the fact that, in the various offices he has filled, he received the support of all parties. Fraternally he is connected with Pagosa Camp No. 412, Woodmen of the World.

In 1876 Mr. Boone married Miss Susie H. Fosdick, daughter of Henry M. Fosdick, a pioneer of Pueblo County and a civil engineer who laid out the town site of Pueblo. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Boone are: Van D., Henry A., Elsie B., Jesse, Elliott and Esther.

Extracted from "Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado," published by Chapman Publishing Company in Chicago in 1899.


Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Boone, Van D., Mary A., and Albert G. (arrived in Colorado in 1860)

Van D. and Mary A. Boone were natives of Kentucky and direct descendants of the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone.

Van D. was a leading stockman in western Missouri, coming to Colorado with his family in 1860 and settling in Pueblo County. There he took up government land 18 miles east of Pueblo. He devoted the remainder of his life to farming and stock raising. His death occurred on his ranch when he was 87 years of age. *

His wife was a sister of William Randall of London, Kentucky, who was a member of Congress for several years and a distinguished citizen of Kentucky.

To Mr. and Mrs. Boone were born seven children: Albert G.; Emma H., Mrs. Lewis Barnham, whose son Lewis Barnham, Jr., was adjutant general of Colorado; Charles R. of Archuleta County; Zurelda E. of Pueblo; Harriet B., wife of T. R. Jones of Pueblo; Benjamin F.; and Jesse M. of Pueblo County.

Albert G. Boone was 15 years of age when he came with his parents to Colorado in 1860. He being the eldest child had charge of the farm and business affairs. In 1883, he went to New Mexico where he engaged in raising stock for 3 years, which he ranged on the plains of the territory. From New Mexico he came to Archuleta County in 1886 and homesteaded a quarter section of land 16 miles south of Pagosa Springs; he has since made many valuable improvements and engaged in raising stock.

He has served as county commissioner for several years. As a school director he organized school district No. 6 in his county.

While he has had many reverses, they did not discourage him, and in spite of them he worked his way forward to a position of independence and influence among the substantial men of the country.

In 1876 Mr. Boone married Miss Susie H. Fosdick, daughter of Henry M. Fosdick of Pueblo County, a civil engineer who laid out the town site of Pueblo. To this union were born six children: Dan D., Henry A., Elsie B., Jesse, Elliott, and Esther.

* Editorial Note: Van Daniel Boone actually died in 1871, when he was 57 years old.

Extracted from "The Real Pioneers of Colorado," by Maria Davies McGrath, published in 1934 by The Denver Museum, retyped with added notes by Jane P. Ohl, in October 2001.



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