Pitkin County CO Archives Biographies.....Steinberg, Melvin S.  October 18, 1847 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 16, 2006, 10:50 am

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Melvin S. Steinberg, of Pitkin county, this state, pleasantly located in a

fine ranch in the neighborhood of Watson, is universally esteemed as one of the

most progressive ranchmen and best citizens of the county.  He is alert,

energetic and knowing in his business, enterprising and broad-minded in public

affairs, and earnest and serviceable in all undertakings for the advancement of

the community and the comfort and welfare of its people.  His life began at

Norfolk, St. Lawrence county, New York, on October 18, 1847, and he is the son

of Daniel and Sarah Steinberg, the former a native of Ontario, Canada, and the

latter of New York state.  Soon after their marriage they located in New York,

and to the end of their lives were prosperously engaged in farming.  They were

members of the Methodist church and stood high in the public esteem of their

community.  Five children were born to them, and of these their son Melvin is

now the only one living.  The parents also have passed away, the mother dying in

1868 and the father in 1890. The son received only a common-school education of

limited extent, and at the age of eighteen went to work regularly as a full hand

on his father’s farm, remaining at home until 1868, when he reached the age of

twenty-one.  During the next two years, he worked on a neighboring farm for

wages, then moved to the adjoining county of Franklin, where he farmed for

himself two years.  He then sold out at a profit and, moving to Canada, located

in the province of Ontario, engaging in general farming and fruit culture on a

farm which he bought.  He remained there so occupied until the spring of 1881,

at which time he disposed of his property at a profit and came to Colorado,

settling at Denver.  Here finding a demand for skilled mechanics, and having a

thorough practical knowledge of carpentering, he worked at his trade and did

well.  In 1886 he moved to the neighborhood of Aspen, and in the summer of that

year located the excellent ranch of one hundred and sixty acres on which he now

lives.  This was virtually unbroken land almost in its state of natural wildness

when he took hold of it, and now it is one of the best improved and most

productive in the region.  On it he raises cattle and hay extensively, and also

a goodly volume of grain, vegetables and small fruits, currants and strawberries

in particular, which he produces in large quantities and of excellent quality. 

In political party allegiance he is independent, but he always lends a potent

aid to any enterprise for the good of the community.  He was married on March

22, 1871, to Miss Tresig Mattin, a Canadian, born in the province of Ontario,

and the daughter of Michael Mattin, also a Canadian by birth, who devoted his

attention to farming and fruit-growing, and he and his wife were members of the

Episcopal church.  Of their eleven children only three are living, George, who

resides on the old homestead in Canada; Leslie, who lives in California; and

Alice, wife of Hennan Reynolds, of Denver.  Mrs. Steinberg died on September 26,

1902, leaving two children, Lillian, and George, who lives in Park county, this

state.  Through all the chances and changes of life, Mr. Steinberg has preserved

a lofty demeanor of manliness and courage, meeting every difficulty with a

determined spirit of self-reliance and performing every duty with fidelity and

ability.  He is one of the most respected as well as one of the most progressive

and enterprising citizens of Pitkin county.    

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

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pitkin/bios/steinber299gbs.txt

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