Rio Blanco County CO Archives Biographies.....Torrence, Hugh October 22, 1843 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Shelley Barnes shellbbco@prodigy.net October 27, 2010, 3:32 pm

Source: Progressive Men of Western Colorado
Author: Museum of Northwest Colorado

Coming to Colorado when a young man for the benefit of his health, and with the
hopes and aspirations of his life overclouded by disease, then finding here the
relief he sought and gaining strength and restored energy in the health-giving
climate, Hugh Torrence became one of the producing and creating members of the
state's citizenship, and has since risen to consequence and influence in its
business circles and prominence in the public affairs of the section in which he
cast his lot.  In Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on October 22, 1843, his life
began, and on the paternal homestead in that great hive of industry he grew to
manhood, attending in a small and irregular way the district schools and working
when he could on the farm.  His parents were Hugh and Anna Torrence, themselves
native of Pennsylvania, and throughout a large portion of their lives useful and
respected citizens of that state.  The father was a merchant and farmer and
prospered in his various undertakings.  He was a Republican in politics and gave
earnest and helpful attention to the public local affairs of his county.  Death
ended his labors in 1867, and those of his widow in 1884.  Of the five children
born to them Mrs. John Witteman died 1882 and William in 1897.  The other three
are living.  The family moved to Illinois late in life and some time afterward
to Missouri.  The son Hugh A. Torrence left home in 1873 and came to Colorado as
has been stated, for the benefit of his health.  He took up his residence in the
vicinity of Denver, where he remained a year.  In 1874, being much improved, he
moved into the Bear river country, and later changed his residence to Grand
county.  Here he passed two years more, still in search of health, and engaged
principally in hunting and fishing.  In 1876 he found himself so far improved
that he determined to establish a home in the state which had given his vigor of
body and vivacity of mind, and to that end built the first cabin put up in Routt
county, a little log shack which provided shelter and such of the comforts of
life as were available in that then far away section, and went to raiding
cattle.  He was in the wilderness and alone save for the presence of Indians and
wild beasts, whose proximity was often more menacing that companionable or
helpful.  Great privations and hardships were plentiful in his lot, and danger
was ever present.  But the wild life had its compensations in many ways, and he
bravely endured the rest.  In 1882 he formed a partnership with Charles Hullett
in the cattle and ranching industry, which lasted until the death of Mr. Hullet,
on April 30, 1903.  The chief products of their enterprise were hay and cattle,
as they are of Mr. Torrence's efforts now, and in his business he has been very
successful.  His ranch comprises two thousand acres, three hundred of which are
under energetic and skillful cultivation.  The needful water for irrigation is
supplied from ditches belonging to the property, and as the ranch is only
twenty-four miles from Meeker, a good market for its products is within easy
reach.  Mr. Torrence has devoted himself almost wholly to his work and has
become one of the most prosperous and prominent stock men on the Western slope.
 He is a stanch Republican in politics, and no exigency of his private affairs
ever causes him to slacken in devotion to the interests of his party.  In
business circles and in the public life of his county he is influential and he
is highly esteemed and respected wherever he is known.

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