Strehlke, Julius L, 1905 Bio, Rio Blanco County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/rioblanco/bios/strhlkjl.txt --------------------------------------- Donated March 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Julius L. Strehlke This skillful mechanic and successful ranch man, who was well esteemed in the community of his residence, was a native of Stugard, Prussia, Germany, born on April 14, 1837. His parents were Gotfried and Florentine Strehlke, natives of Prussia, where they were industrious and prosperous farmers, and devout Lutherans. Their offspring numbered nine, three of whom are living, Henrietta, Ferdinand and Caroline. Julius attended the public schools, receiving a good education within the limit of their course, and assisted his parents on the farm until he reached the age of seventeen, when, according to the law of the country, he entered the army for a term of three years. At the end of his service he learned the trade of a blacksmith and worked at it in his native land until 1863, when he came to the United States, locating at Detroit, Michigan. There he wrought at his trade at various places in and around the city until 1867. At that time he went to the copper region along Lake Superior, and for a number of years was employed in the mines. In 1875 he came to Colorado, traveling by stage from Atchison, Kansas, to Denver. In that city he secured employment as traveling blacksmith of the Overland Stage Company, in whose employ he remained one year and a half. He next moved to Central City and worked at his trade for a few months, after which he opened a liquor store which he conducted until the excitement over the discovery of gold at Leadville took him to that promising camp, where he found an active demand for his mechanical skill as a blacksmith. In 1885 he disposed of his interests there and moved to the vicinity of Meeker. He pre-empted a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres there, to which he added forty by purchase and had the whole of the two hundred acres under cultivation. Cattle and hay were his principal resources, but he also raised some grain and vegetables. He was a Democrat in political faith and action, and was well pleased with Colorado for a home and place of business. On August 9, 1869, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Alvina Pischel, a native of Prussia. They had five children, of whom one died in infancy, and Albert, Fred, Louis, and Carl are living. Albert and Carl are residents of Meeker, Fred lives at Cape Nome, Alaska, and Louis at Montrose in this state. Mr. Strehlke's death occurred on May 31, 1904, his loss being keenly felt in the community which had been benefited by his life. =================================================== 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.