RIO BLANCO COLORADO - BIO: RALSTON, Joseph (published 1905) *********************************************************************** 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. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Brad Goff bggoff@prinetime.net April 18, 1999 *********************************************************************** Joseph Ralston Posted by Brad Goff on Sun, 18 Apr 1999 Surnames: Ralston, Goff Submitted by Harry B. Goff, great grand nephew of Bertha Ann Goff wife of Joseph Ralston. If you have any information about this family please contact Brad Goff 605 Rimrock Road, Prineville OR or email Brad This article was copied from the book " Progressive Men of Western Colorado" published in 1905 by A.W. Bowen & Co. Page 225 JOSEPH RALSTON Born and reared on a farm in Richland County, Ohio Joseph Ralston has passed the whole of his life in agricultural pursuits and the stock industry. His life began on February 1, 1840, and in his native county he received a common school education, remaining with his parents and working in their interest until 1861. In that year he moved to Washington County, Iowa. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army as a member of an Iowa infantry regiment. He saw active duty in the war, but received no injury and was never taken prisoner. On July 15, 1865, he was mustered out of the service and returned to his Iowa home where he farmed until 1869. He then moved to Osage County, Kansas, and there was engaged in farming until 1871. At that time he moved cattle for Millett & Mayberry from the Red River in southern Texas up the Missouri river to Kansas, suffering great hardships and privations on the trip and undergoing trials which he will never forget. From 1877 to 1884 he farmed in Kansas. He then sold his interests in that state and moved to Colorado, but owing to heavy snows was compelled to remain at Rawlins, Wyoming, until late in the fall, when he reached Meeker, at that time a small place. He squatted on a claim which he afterward sold to J. L. McHatton, disposing of it in 1887, after which he leased a ranch in Powell Park, which he farmed until 1903. He then came to his present ranch in the same locality, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres, eighty five acres of it being under cultivation. Hay, grain, vegetables, cattle and horses are the principle products, and the industry in both farm products and stock is profitable. He runs his business vigorously, farms his land with industry and skill and omits no effort needed on his part to secure the best results. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Moore) Ralston, who were born and reared in Ireland and emigrated to the United States soon after their marriage. They were well to do farmers in Ohio. The mother died in 1867 in Kansas, the father having died in California in 1849. He was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. They had a family of seven children, four of whom are living, John, Robert, Margaret, and Joseph. On May 16, 1879, Mr. Ralston was married to miss Bertha Goff, a sister of John B. And William H. Goff, sketches of whom are to be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston have four children, Ethel C., Clarence A., Francis E., and Clyde B.