Gunnison County CO Archives Biographies.....Diel, Christian J. April 9, 1858 - ?
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Author: 

Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Among the various occupations of mankind there is scarcely any that within

its limits ministers more directly and specifically to the public comfort and

convenience than a good hotel.  If it has the dignity of age upon it, it is in

small an epitome of the history of the community in which it is located.  All

the lights and shades of the life around it are reflected in its own.  All types

and tides of people flow through its corridors from time to time.  Honored men

and winsome ladies sleep beneath its roof.  The political conference, the

business interview and the social confab find shelter behind its doors.  The

caucus whisper, and traffic’s dark intrigue, shunning the open air, creep round

from mouth to mouth in its secluded chambers; and moist, merry men use it for

their mirth when they are festive.  Such a political, business and social center

was the Elk Mountain House at Crested Butte under the popular management of

Christian J. Diel, it being then and now the leading and most attractive

hostelry of the place and much patronized by the better class of tourists and

the general public.  To the comforts provided by its ample rooms and artistic

furnishings was added the gracious savor of the proprietor’s pleasing manner and

hospitable disposition.  Mr. Diel is a native of Germany, born at Bad Ams on

April 9, 1858, and the son of Peter and Margaret (Auster) Diel, who passed their

lives in that country, profitably engaged in farming.  They had four sons, all

of whom are living in Germany but the subject of this review, who was the first

born in the family.  He grew to manhood and was educated in his native land,

remaining at home until he reached the age of twenty-six.  In May, 1886, he

emigrated to the United States and took up his residence in Macoupin county,

Illinois, with thirty dollars in money and his clothes his only earthly

possessions.  There he worked in the coal mines a year and in 1887 came west to

Idaho, and during the next three months was employed in the mines near Silver

City, that state.  On September 8, 1887, he arrived at Crested Butte, in

Gunnison county, this state, and soon afterward went to work in the coal mines,

continuing his engagements there about three years.  In the meantime he had

acquired an interest in a furniture store, and in the fall of 1890 rented the

Elk Mountain Hotel and became one of its proprietors, being in partnership with

Mr. O’Toole, under the firm name of O’Toole & Diel.  He bought the furniture in

the house in 1891, and in 1895 the partnership with Mr. O’Toole was dissolved

and he became the sole proprietor of the hostelry.  Four years later he bought

the hotel and became its sole owner.  In 1901 he refitted and refurnished it

throughout and conducted it as a first-class hotel in every respect until the

summer of 1904, when he retired from active pursuits, selling the furniture and

leasing the building.  He owns considerable other real estate of value in and

around the town and is one of the substantial men of the community, his success

being due entirely to his own industry, thrift and good management.  Politically

he is independent and fraternally belongs to the Woodmen of the World at

Colorado Springs.  On October 19, 1893, he was married to Miss Minnie Quinlisk,

a native of Iowa.  Her father died in Kansas where her mother now has her home.

 Mr. Diel is universally recognized as a good citizen and a representative man

of his county, and is highly respected by all classes of its people with whom he

mingles. 

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

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