Gunnison County CO Archives Biographies.....Vidal, Regis  1839 - May 31, 1901
************************************************

Copyright.  All rights reserved.

http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm

************************************************



File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 24, 2006, 8:07 am

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Regis Vidal, whose death on May 31, 1901, deprived Gunnison county of one

of its leading ranchmen and most esteemed and prominent citizens, was born in

the department of Ardeche, France, in 1839.  The death of his parents when he

was young deprived him of early educational advantages and threw him on his own

resources for advancement in the world and into the hard and rugged school of

experience for his training.  In 1859 he emigrated to the United States, and for

several years thereafter he wrought in the mines near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Returning to his native land about the year 1873, he was married to Miss Albine

Tarandon and soon after brought his bride to this country.  They came direct to

Colorado, and locating at Gunnison for a short time, took up land about three

miles north of the city on Ohio creek, being among the earliest settlers in the

county.  Mr. Vidal worked for a number of years in mines in various parts of the

state to get the money necessary to improve his property, which by purchases

subsequent to his first location he increased to seven hundred and twenty-five

acres.  In 1879 the family took up their residence permanently on the ranch and

from then to his death the father devoted his entire time and energy to its

improvement, making it in fact the finest ranch in the county.  After his death

his widow carried on the business with vigor and capacity which shone out with

increasing brightness owing to the difficulties with which she was obliged to

contend; for the father at his death left the property heavily mortgaged.  The

excellent lady was, however, clearing away the debts and other difficulties

steadily and making progress toward final freedom, when death ended her labors

also, calling her away from her sphere of earthly usefulness on June 19, 1904. 

They were the parents of eight daughters and one son, all of whom are living and

at home, Philipine, Josephine, Robert, Matilda, Dorothy, Berthilda, Sophia,

Louina and Annette.  The daughters and the son have inherited the spirit and

determination of their parents, and they at once took up the work where the

mother was obliged to drop it, determined to save their estate from loss and

redeem it from incumbrances [sic].  Their conduct in the matter, that of the

young ladies, is romantic and deeply interesting, and furnishes one of the

highest tributes to the essential worth and usefulness, as well as of the pluck

and independence of American womanhood our annals afford.  They made Miss

Dorothy Vidal the manager of the enterprise and all together went to work with

will and cheerfulness to promote its success.  So faithfully have they all

labored, and so wisely have they managed their affairs, that with the

circumstances continuing as they are, under ordinary conditions they will have

accomplished their object by the end of three years from this time (1904).  The

daughters know all about ranch work of every kind, and they never shirk from its

performance with all the strength and ardor of their natures.  In haying time

they put on overalls and run the mower, the rake, the go-devil and the stacker,

and save their crop with expedition in the best condition, and with no other

help than that of their brother Robert.  When it comes time to bale the hay for

market they do this too with skill and no loss of time.  They think their work

as good as play and none of them has ever been ill a day from it.  They are

young ladies of very striking and prepossessing appearance, fine specimens of

physical womanhood and with all the modesty and graces which adorn the drawing

room as well as the strength and resolution necessary to meet emergencies and

conquer difficulties.  In the winter months the older sisters find employment in

Denver, where they have hosts of friends, and the younger ones attend school at

Gunnison. The father, having an impressive realization of the value of education

from his own early lack of it, was deeply interested in school matters in his

county and for years served as the president of the board in his district.  He

was in reference to all public affairs a wisely conservative yet eminently

progressive man, and gave his hearty assistance to all commendable projects for

the improvement of his community and county.   

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

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/gunnison/bios/vidal373gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cofiles/

File size: 4.9 Kb