Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: SCHERRER, Ivan S. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 September 18, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 204 - 205 IVAN S. SCHERRER. Ivan S. Scherrer is president and manager of the W. F. Thompson Mercantile Company, wholesale dealers in grain and feed in Denver. He is widely known and popular in commercial circles and, moreover, he is entitled to representation in this volume as a member of one of the old pioneer families. He was born near Williamsburg, Iowa, in Iowa county, October 12, 1874, his parents being Louis and Mary (House) Scherrer. The father was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, while the mother was born in the state of New York. Louis Scherrer came to America, with his parents at about the age of twelve, in the latter '40s, and took up his abode near Iowa City, Iowa, where he resided until 1859. In that year he established a freight route across the plains, extending from the Missouri river to Denver, and later it was extended to Salt Lake City. He made his first trip to Denver in 1859 and often camped under a tree that stood on the north side of Wazee street, near Sixteenth street. He was engaged in freighting across the plains from 1859 until 1865, using ox teams as was the custom. Many are the interesting tales which he told of his early experiences while crossing the plains with caravans, when Indians lurked in the tall grass and buffaloes roamed over the broad prairie and when much of the now highly cultivated section of the west was a waste desert of sand dunes and sagebrush. In 1875 he removed with his family to Bennett, Colorado, his wife and children coming from Marengo county, Iowa, where for ten years they had resided upon a farm. From 1875 until 1891 they occupied a ranch near Bennett and during this period Mr. Scherrer concentrated his efforts upon the development of his property, which was principally devoted to stock raising. He was born in the year 1835 and was therefore but fifty-six years of age when he passed away in 1891. His wife was a native of Utica, New York, but at the age of twelve years accompanied her parents on their westward removal to Iowa City, Iowa, and a few years later they left there, going to Salt Lake City, the journey across the plains being made with ox teams. They reached their destination on the day that the cornerstone of the Mormon Temple was laid. In the fall of 1864 the House family came to Denver from Salt Lake City and the daughter remained in Denver until the following year. 1865, when she became the wife of Louis Scherrer, the marriage being solemnized in the Broadwell House, then one of Denver's leading hotels. Their honeymoon was spent upon the plains in a trip made in a covered wagon to Omaha, Nebraska. It was certainly a very unusual wedding trip, for the Indians were on the warpath and the government required that companies of no less than one hundred men should be formed before they would be permitted to pass Fort Morgan. The leader of the band with which the bride and her husband made the trip told the federal authorities when they reached the fort that their band was one hundred and one men strong, for he had learned that Mrs. Scherrer was able to load and shoot as accurately as any of the men of the company. Before they reached Julesburg many evidences of Indian depredations were seen. Ranch houses had been burned by the score and near each scene of battle dead white men and their red foes were lying on the ground. When the party finally reached Julesburg they found the Indians had raided the post two days before and had burned it. The few soldiers who had been stationed there had been killed or taken prisoners by the enemy. On arriving at Omaha they outfitted again and crossed the plains with freight for the United States government to Fort Coiling, which at that time was a government post, occupied by a strong force of troops. In the fall Mr. and Mrs. Scherrer returned to Iowa, locating on a farm near Iowa City, where they remained until 1875, as previously stated, and again crossed the plains, this time with horse teams. They homesteaded a ranch near Bennett, Colorado, on the Kiowa creek, and there resided until the death of Mr. Scherrer in 1891, after which his widow removed to Denver, there remaining from 1893 until her demise, which occurred December 1, 1914. In the family were seven children: Walter W., who is living at Byers, Colorado; Mrs. Francis M. Dunn, of Denver; Mrs. Maggie A. Wiswell, of Keenesburg. Colorado; Frank L., a resident of Ewing, Nebraska; Ivan S.; and Ella K. and Ralph B., who are also residents of Denver. Ivan S. Scherrer was but a year old when his parents returned to Colorado in the fall of 1875, when Colorado was yet a territory, and he pursued his education in the public schools of Bennett. After his studies were completed he engaged in ranching on his father's place until his removal to Denver in 1892, when he became connected with the business interests of the city. In 1894 he entered the employ of W. F. Thompson in the wholesale grain and feed business and in that connection steadily worked his way upward, remaining with Mr. Thompson as his manager until the latter's death in 1903, after which he conducted the business for two years in the interests of Mr. Thompson's estate. In 1905 he purchased the business, which he has since carried on, and through the intervening period has been president and manager of the W. F. Thompson Mercantile Company. Fraternally Mr. Scherrer is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He also has membership with the Sons of Territorial Pioneers and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. He has a wide acquaintance throughout Colorado, where he has spent practically his entire life, and there are many phases of pioneer experience with which he is familiar. He early became acquainted with all of the experiences and hardships which fell to the lot of the early ranchmen and he has rejoiced in the progress that has been accomplished since his parents penetrated into the western wilderness. His father was one of the early freighters upon the plains and since that time the name of Scherrer has figured in connection with the substantial development, settlement and improvement of this section of the state. In his own business career Mr. Scherrer has steadily progressed, owing to his close application, his persistency of purpose and ready adaptability. His business methods have at all times commanded the highest confidence and regard and those who know him speak of him in terms of praise both as a representative of mercantile interests and as a citizen.