Budge, James, 1905 Bio, Rio Blanco County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/rioblanco/bios/budgej.txt --------------------------------------- Donated March 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- James Budge It is a matter of common observation and general human experience that to a great extent the circumstances of his birth and rearing shape the man and determine largely his course through life. The sailor is oftenest born beside the heaving ocean which he makes his future home, the ardent advocate of liberty on the mountain side, the lumberman in the forest. And so it happens that James Budge, although now one of the flourishing and progressive ranch and stock men of Rio Blanco county, this state, having been born in Cornwall, England, in the mining districts, and reared amid those engaged in the same pursuit in this country, became a miner and prospector himself and followed those lines of employment for many years. He came into the world on June 15, 1872, the son of Christopher and Emma (Alford) Budge, also natives of England, the father born in Devonshire and the mother in Cornwall. The father was a miner in his native land, and naturally sought the same field of labor when, in 1874, he brought his family to this country. He came to Colorado and after working at his chosen vocation in a number of places in the state, finally settled at Aspen, where he died in 1892, and where the mother is now living. The father was successful in his pursuit and lived actively among his fellows, taking an interest in their welfare and uniting in their pleasures and elevating means of enjoyment. He belonged to the Odd Fellows and the Foresters, and was a member of the Methodist church. Seven children were born in the family and five of them are living, James, Harry, Edmund, Lillian and Christopher. James was well educated according to his opportunities, attending the common and the high schools. On leaving school at the age of eighteen he began at once to take his part in the useful work of the race and make his own way in the world, at the same time aiding his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five. He mined for wages and also leased mines at Aspen, pushing both lines of profitable employment vigorously in that locality until 1901. He then determined to engage in another of Colorado's great industries and purchased the ranch which he now owns, twenty miles southeast of Meeker. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres and with a good water supply he finds it easy to cultivate one hundred acres of the tract. He also raises horses and cattle in profitable numbers, and they are his main reliance as ranch products. In the fraternal life of his community he has an active interest as a Woodman of the World, and in its political affairs as a devoted Democrat. His marriage occurred on June 22, 1892, and was to Miss Anna Schmidt, who was born in Green county, Wisconsin, and is the daughter of Adam and Mary (Durst) Schmidt, Swiss by nativity and emigrant to this country in 1836, when they located in Green county, Wisconsin, where the father rose to prominence and influence in politics, serving successively as county clerk and recorder, assessor, treasurer and county commissioner. He was also for a time active in the real-estate business. Since 1903 he has been living in South Dakota and farming. He is a United Workman and a member of the Evangelical church. The family comprised eleven children, nine of whom are living, Nicholas, Carrie, Matthew, Mary, Theodore, Rose, Anna, Bertha and Clara. In the household of Mr. and Mrs. Budge three children have been born and are living, Russell E., Orin E. and Durst. =================================================== 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.