Olesen, Samuel P; 1905 Bio, Eagle County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/eagle/bios/olesensp.txt --------------------------------------- Donated April 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Samuel P. Olesen This substantial and leading citizen of the Gypsum valley, where he carries on a prosperous and profitable ranch and stock industry, came to Colorado from his foreign home across the ocean with about ten dollars in capital, almost his only worldly possession except the clothes on his back, and by his own industry, frugality and capacity has advanced himself to his present comfortable estates in this land where opportunity is wealth if properly seized and used, and where no artificial boundaries of privilege restrain the aspiring spirit. He is a brother of Hans P. Olesen, in whose sketch on another page the family record will be found. He was born on July 12, 1863, at Nordschleswig, Germany, where he was educated at the state schools and learned the shoemaker's trade. He remained in his native land working at his trade until 1883, then emigrated to the United States, making his headquarters at Gypsum, Eagle county, this state. During his two years of hard labor on the Rio Grande Railroad immediately after his arrival, in which he saved his earnings, he secured sufficient means to join his father as a partner in ranching in the Gypsum valley, and the partnership continued until 1892, when he purchased the interest of his father, who then returned to Germany. He now owns two ranches, the home place comprising one hundred and twenty acres and the other eighty, with sixty-five acres in each under cultivation, the latter being located within the town limits of Gypsum and the former two miles south of the town. The home ranch is well improved with a good modern dwelling and other needed buildings, and the land in both has been brought to a high state of development. Hay, grain and vegetables are the staple products, with cattle as the main reliance for revenue. He has been very successful here and is classed among the most enterprising ranchmen of the region, giving close and careful attention to his own affairs and taking a serviceable interest in the affairs of the community. He is one of the stockholders in the Eagle County French Coach and Percheron Horse Breeders' Association, is independent in politics and connected with the Woodmen of the World in fraternal relations. The land he owns was covered with wild sage when he took possession of it, and much of it was rocky and rugged. He has redeemed it from this condition to one of fruitfulness and value, and it stands to his credit now among the best in the vicinity. On October 22, 1894, he was married to Miss Bettie Oleson, a native of Sweden. They have been blessed with three children, Julius, Albert and Frederick. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project 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.