Sloss, Sterling P; 1905 Bio, Eagle County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/eagle/bios/slosssp.txt --------------------------------------- Donated April 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Sterling Price Sloss Born in St. Clair county, in western Missouri, where his parents were among the very first settlers, and passing the rest of his life there and in Colorado, so far Sterling P. Sloss has lived almost wholly on the frontier, and has well learned its lessons of thrift, self- reliance, manly courage and consideration for the rights and feelings of others. Taking its opportunities for advancement as they come and making good and timely use of them, he has been one of the forceful factors in pushing forward the advance of civilization and holding the ground it has gained from the wilderness and its savage denizens. His life began on October 25, 1862, and his parents were Joseph and Margaret (Coulthard) Sloss, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in England. They located in St. Clair county, Missouri, among its first settlers, and in 1866 they moved to Arkansas, settling in a region as new and wild as that they left. They farmed with moderate success, and the father rose to prominence by his breadth of view and public spirit in local affairs and by his ardent support of the principles of the Democratic party. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. He died in 1874 and his wife in 1895. Five of their seven children survive them. Sterling, who is one of the most respected and influential citizens of Eagle county, and one of the most extensive and popular cattle men in this whole region of country, had but little opportunity for schooling. At the age of twelve years he took his place regularly among the hands on his father's farm, and when he was fourteen he was able to do a man's work there and command a man's wages, thus making his own living from that early age. In 1880 he came to Colorado, and locating at Silver Cliff, worked as a ranch hand for a compensation of twenty-five dollars a month and his board. At the end of a year he moved to South Park, where he drove cattle for A.J. Bates until the spring of 1882. He then formed a partnership with George W. King (see sketch elsewhere) to conduct a dairy business at Ashcroft, which later was moved to Aspen. Milk sold at fifty cents a gallon and the enterprise flourished vigorously. After some time he bought Mr. King's interest and took his own brother John W. in as a partner. They continued the business until 1885, and at the same time conducted a ranch on Sopris creek. At the end of six years the partnership was harmoniously dissolved. In 1902 he bought a ranch on the Frying Pan, nine miles east of Basalt. On this land good crops of hay, grain and vegetables are raised, but cattle form the most important product and greatest source of revenue. Mr. Sloss is connected with the order of Odd Fellows, the Daughters of Rebekah, the Woodmen of the World, the Women's Circle of Woodcraft, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In political allegiance he stands firmly by the Democratic party. On February 5, 1889, he united in marriage with Miss Edith A. Bogue, a native of Harrison county, Missouri, born on February 3, 1870, and the daughter of Josiah and Permalia (Cox) Bogue. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Indiana. They were prosperous farmers and the father supported the Republican party. He died on December 10, 1896, leaving eleven of his twelve children to survive him. They are Newton H., who lives at Maywood, Nebraska; Sarah, wife of Charles Redding, also living in Nebraska; Sytha, wife of Thomas Lawrence, of Carbondale, Colorado; Charles E., a resident of Arkansas Junction, this state; Joseph T., of Debeque, Colorado; Viola J., wife of Albert Bell, of Dayton, Iowa; Allen C., of Salt Lake City, Utah; Alfred T., of Cherokee county, Iowa; Louis W., of Griswold, Iowa; and Emma E., of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. In the household of Mr. Sloss two children have been born, Alfred M. and Alvin J., twins. The parents are members of the Methodist church. In the public affairs of his section Mr. Sloss takes an active and intelligent interest at all times, and is at all times ready to aid in the promotion of its welfare. He is chief cattle inspector for the district between Leadville and Glenwood Springs. Mr. Sloss has recently been appointed a member of the live stock inspection board by Gov. Jesse F. McDonald for two years. Mr. Sloss was county commissioner of Pitkin county, Colorado, from 1895 to 1898. =================================================== 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.