Gunnison County CO Archives Biographies.....Imoversteg, Robert 1852 - ?
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 24, 2006, 4:25 pm

Author: 

Progressive Men of Western Colorado



     The subject of this brief sketch, whose life story has in it many

interesting features and events, is a native of the land of William Tell, among

whose impressive mountains and breathing in their air of freedom and

independence, his forefathers lived and flourished for countless generations. 

And when he left its inspiring scenes and history to seek a home in the new

world, it was not unfit that he should find it, after efforts in other

localities, amid the great mountains of its West, nor is it to be wondered at

that he should there turn to the occupations of his fathers as the proper field

for his energies.  He was born in Switzerland in 1852, the son of Frederick D.

and Mary (Hardi) Imoversteg, both members of old Swiss families engaged from

time immemorial in tilling the soil and tending flocks and herds, although his

father did not follow specifically and wholly the avocations to which he had

been bred, but became a valued teacher and a prosperous merchant.  He died in

Switzerland in 1898, at the age of seventy-five years.  His widow survived him

but a year, dying in 1899 at the same age as himself.  They were the parents of

nine children, their son Robert being the fourth in numerical order.  He was

reared and educated in his native country, remaining there until he was

seventeen.  Then with high hopes and a spirit of determination to brave every

danger and endure every hardship, and also to make every effort necessary to

success in life, he embarked for the United States and made Toledo, Ohio, his

first stopping place for work and advancement.  In the vicinity of that growing

metropolis of the inland seas he was employed in farm labor for two years.  Then

going to the city he clerked in a store for four years.  From Toledo he went to

Hartford, Connecticut, and after clerking a year there, opened a store of his

own and carried it on successfully for a year.  He had a longing, however, for

the far West that would not be stilled, and selling out his business in 1876, he

came to Colorado and accepted a position as a clerk in Denver which he held

about three years, at the end of that period buying out the proprietor and

during the next two years running the store himself.  Toward the end of 1880 he

sold out all his interests in Denver and bought the ranch on which he has since

lived and conducted a vigorous and progressive farming and stock raising

industry.  His land is located near the banks of the East river, and not far

from the postoffice of Oversteg, derived from his name and named in his honor. 

He was married in 1876 to Miss Mattie Hall, and they have nine children, Emma,

Ida, Fred, Olive, Rachel, William, Robert, Jr., Reese and Luretta.   

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

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/gunnison/bios/imoverst391gbs.txt

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