Pueblo County, Colorado
Almon Burns

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Almon Burns is one of the honored pioneers of Colorado, having made his home in this state since 1859. He formed an intimate acquaintance with the hardships and privations of frontier life, but as the result of his industry and resolution he now has a fine ranch situated on Fountain Creek, about twelve miles from Pueblo, in Pueblo County. It is all in the creek bottom and is well watered and fertile.

Mr. Burns was born January 4, 1826, in New York state, where he was reared, and was educated in the public schools. At the age of twenty years he went to Wisconsin, with his family, and later became a resident of Illinois. He had four brothers, but all are now deceased. Of his three sisters who are still living, one, Mrs. Charles F. McCarty, is a resident of Pueblo.

In 1859 our subject came to Colorado, where he engaged in mining and prospecting in the mountains for some years. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the First Colorado Infantry, and for four years was in active service, participating in many battles with the Indians, and being stationed in Mexico a part of the time. By his comrades it is said that he was a valiant soldier, always at his post of duty, and that he never was reprimanded for any misdemeanor.

At the close of the war Mr. Burns settled upon his present ranch in Pueblo County, and was not long in transforming the wild land into highly cultivated fields. During these years he has always dealt in stock, and has made a specialty of raising fine horses and cattle, but his life of toil has told upon his constitution, and he is now hardly able to attend to his business affairs, being afflicted with rheumatism. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a good neighbor, and stands high in the community where he has so long made his home. He is one of the few now living who settled in this state as early as 1859, and his name belongs on the roll of honored pioneers.

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



Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Burns, Almon (arrived in Colorado in 1859)

Almon Burns was born January 4, 1826, in New York State where he was reared and educated in the public schools. At the age of 20 years he went to Wisconsin with his family and later became a resident of Illinois.

There were four brothers, all deceased, and three sisters, only one living-- Mrs. Chas. F. McCarty, a resident of Pueblo.

In 1859 Almon came to Colorado where he engaged in mining and prospecting in the mountains for some years. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the 1st Colorado Infantry, and for 4 years was in active service, participating in many battles with the Indians. He was stationed in Mexico part of the time.

At the close of the war he settled on a ranch situated on Fountain Creek, about 12 miles from Pueblo in Pueblo County. He made a specialty of raising fine horses and cattle, but his life of toil has told upon his constitution, now being afflicted with rheumatism.

He is an honored member of the G.A.R. [Grand Army of the Republic].

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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